India has launched ‘Operation Ajay’, amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, to bring back stranded citizens from war-torn areas. The first flight of India’s ‘Operation Ajay’ carrying 212 Indian nationals from Israel landed in Delhi early on Friday.
“Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return. Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad,” tweeted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed his gratitude to EAM Jaishankar and the entire team at the ministry for bringing Indian nationals back from Israel.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi took to X and shared a photograph of the returnees. In one of the pictures, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar could be seen with the Indian nationals. The minister was also seen interacting with some of them.
“…Our government will never leave any Indian behind. Our government, our Prime Minister is determined to protect them, bring them back home safely. We are grateful to EAM Dr S Jaishankar, the team at the External Affairs Ministry, the flight crew of this Air India flight for making this possible, for bringing our children back home safely and soundly and back home to their loved ones…” Chandrasekhar said.
Meanwhile, an Indian national who returned from Israel said, “This is the first time that we are facing this situation over there. We are very thankful to the Indian government, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for bringing us back. We are hoping for peace as soon as possible so that we can go back to work as earliest as possible…”
“The situation was very bad over there… EAM Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his team, especially the Embassy in Tel Aviv did a tremendous job. And we’re really very grateful to the Government in India,” another said.
Another returnee thanked the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv and said They supported Indians in Israel. “We registered on the portal and the process was very easy. The operation is excellent. We are very happy to come back to India…” he added.
Israel has welcomed Indian government’s move to launch Operation Ajay to evict its nationals from the war-hit country. Consulate General Of Israel in India, Kobbi Shoshani, congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching the rescue mission. He said that there are a total of 18,000 Indian in Israel, out of which 1,000 are students.
In a video message, Shoshani also acknowledged the contribution of Indian businessmen and students to their economy. Indian nurses and caregivers have becomes part of our families, said the Israeli Consulate General.
