California [US], June 13 (ANI): A special flight under Vande Bharat Mission departed on Thursday local time with 221 stranded Indians from San Francisco for New Delhi and Bengaluru.

"#VandeBharatMission's AI0174 took off with 221 pax to DEL-BLR in its commitment to assist Indians at distress. Thanks, @IndianEmbassyUS, @airindiain & @CGISFO for seamless coordination to operate 2 flights in 12 hrs from SFO!," India in San Francisco tweeted.

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'Vande Bharat' mission is a Government of India's initiative to bring home Indian nationals stranded in various parts of the world due to restrictions over air travel to contain Covid-19 spread.

A total of 1,65,375 people have returned, including 29,034 migrant workers under Vande Bharat Mission, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava on Thursday.

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The exercise began on May 7 and its second phase started on May 16.

The third phase of exercise began on June 11 and continue till June 30. (ANI)

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