Operation Sindhu vs. Operation Ganga: A Comparison

Why Operation Sindhu Matters for Exams
Operation Sindhu isn’t just a rescue mission—it’s a case study in diplomatic strategy and crisis management, directly relevant to UPSC syllabi:
Prelims: Tests awareness of current international events.
Mains (GS-II): Illustrates “government interventions for development” and policy implementation challenges.

Key Objectives & Challenges
Primary Goal: Evacuate Indian nationals from conflict zones in Iran, especially injured students.
Logistical Hurdles:
Limited access to Iran’s neighbors (Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan lack diplomatic ties).
Reliance on allies like Armenia and Turkmenistan for transit routes.
Diplomatic Coordination: Close collaboration with Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage.

Operation Sindhu vs. Operation Ganga: A Comparison
While both aimed at citizen evacuation:
Operation Ganga (2022): Focused on war-torn Ukraine; involved multiple European partners.
Operation Sindhu: Navigates complex West Asian geopolitics with fewer regional allies.
Key Takeaway: Each operation adapts to unique geopolitical constraints—a crucial analysis point for GS-II.

India’s Diplomatic Strategy: Regional Partnerships
Critical Allies: Armenia facilitated the first evacuation batch; Turkmenistan and Iraq offered support.
Avoided Routes: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan due to strained relations.
Alternative Pathways: Persian Gulf sea routes via Saudi Arabia/Kuwait as backup.

Why This Matters for India’s Global Image
Reinforces India as a responsible global power prioritizing citizen safety.
Demonstrates agile diplomacy in volatile regions—an evolving facet of foreign policy.
Exam-Ready Takeaways
Trigger: Fear of Israeli-American strikes on Iran.
First Batch: 100 students evacuated via Armenia (April 2024).
Key Partners: Iran (local coordination), Armenia (transit hub).
Diplomatic Constraints: No formal ties with Afghanistan; strained relations with Turkey/Pakistan.
 

Sample Q&A for Competitive Exams
Q: Operation Sindhu was launched to evacuate Indians from which country?
A: Iran.
Q: Which neighboring country of Iran assisted India in Operation Sindhu’s first evacuation phase?
A: Armenia.
Q: How does Operation Sindhu reflect on India’s foreign policy priorities?
A: It underscores India’s commitment to protecting overseas citizens through proactive diplomacy.
Q: Which UPSC Mains paper covers policies like Operation Sindhu?
A: General Studies II (Government policies/interventions).
Q: Name one key difference between Operations Ganga and Sindhu.
A: Operation Ganga leveraged European allies (Ukraine crisis), while Sindhu relies on West/Central Asian partners (Iran crisis).