The Indian Navy landing ship INS Shardul arrived at Iran's Port of Bandas Abbas earlier this week to repatriate Indian citizens who have become stranded in Iran due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A total of 233 displaced individuals have been brought aboard the vessel, which is now en route to the city of Porbandar in the western Indian state of Gujarat. After disembarkation at Porbandar, the evacuated citizens will be entrusted to the care of state authorities.
Shardul's mission to Iran is part of Operation Samudra Setu, the Indian government's effort to repatriate Indian citizens who have become stranded in foreign countries after commercial air and sea travel were suspended in light of the pandemic.