With the Israel–Iran war escalating in the wake of Israel's surprise attacks on Iranian military and nuclear targets since June 13, 2025, India and China have asked their citizens to leave areas of combat with immediate effect. With over 10,000 Indians in Iran and thousands of Chinese and Indian nationals in Israel, diplomatic efforts are making the necessary arrangements for evacuation programs, ground movement, and chartered flights to bring them back home safely, while fatalities continue to pile up, according to officials and agencies.
/*Evacuation Alert: India Advises People to Evacuate Tehran*/
India's embassy in Tehran has issued a high‑alert warning, requesting every Indian citizen and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) to evacuate the city forthwith. "All Indian nationals in Tehran who are not in touch with the Embassy are requested to contact on an immediate basis and specify their whereabouts," reads the instruction. More than 200 Indians reportedly were evacuated by bus to border locations, with the first batch of 110 arriving in Armenia before flying back to Delhi. With an estimated 10,000 Indians in Iran, there are many students; nine alone from Karnataka remained stranded in Tehran, says the NRI Forum.
/*China Instructs Citizens to Leave Israel and Iran*/
Beijing's embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran published emergency notices on June 17 calling for citizens to leave "as quickly as possible," recommending land passages through Jordan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Armenia. Beijing's foreign ministry confirmed that "some Chinese nationals have been evacuated to neighbouring countries safely." While the Chinese response is overall in sync with India's, it specifically gives top billing to embassy-arranged charter flights and formal transit routes.
/* Casualties and Reporting Agencies*/
Casualties continue to grow: Iran reports at least 224 fatalities—largely civilians—whereas Israel verifies about 24 fatalities, including civilians, due to cross-exchange missile attacks. Death tolls among civilians and damage in the two capitals have been confirmed by AFP and Reuters. Two Indian students in Tehran were lightly injured when their hostel was hit, leading authorities to take swift action.
/*Government Coordination and Evacuation Efforts*/
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also set up a 24/7 control room in New Delhi, and its embassies are also working 24/7. Published phone numbers and WhatsApp lines have been sanctioned; buses have been deployed to take students from Tehran to safer border provinces. China also made arrangements for chartered flights to repatriate citizens and recommended crossing early before borders close and travel becomes impossible due to the same.
/*What's Happening Now*/
- India has organized charter flights from Armenia and Azerbaijan for its citizens; the 24-hour emergency cell is activated.
- China has utilized embassy-arranged transportation and aims to use overland routes before borders close.
- Casualty reporting is continuing as both sides see hundreds of civilian deaths, and organizations like AFP and Reuters are reporting on the aftermath.
- Diplomatic action is being undertaken: India, China, and regional neighbors are working with Tehran and Tel Aviv to secure safe transit routes.
With India and China moving actively, the evacuations are going on steadily. But with no indication of the war easing, diplomatic missions continue to face the challenge of evacuating all at-risk citizens. The crisis unfolding is a reminder of the global ripple effects of wars in various areas and the mounting human cost across nations.