‘Appalled’ Jaishankar slams Siddaramaiah over Kannadigas in Sudan claim

New Delhi: External affairs minister (EAM) Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday lashed out at former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on his claims over the Centre’s alleged inaction in bringing back Kannadigas stuck in civil war-hit Sudan.

In a series of tweets, the senior Congress leader alleged that the ministry of external affairs was yet to initiate any action to evacuate 31 members of the Hakki Pikki tribe.

In response, EAM Jaishankar said that it is “grossly irresponsible to politicize” the situation of the tribals who are stranded due to the civil war in Sudan. He urged Siddaramaiah to not do politics when the lives of Indian citizens are at stake.

“It is reported that 31 people from Karnataka belonging to the Hakki Pikki tribe, are stranded in Sudan which is troubled by civil war. I urge @PMOIndia @narendramodi, @HMOIndia, @MEAIndia and @BSBommai to immediately intervene & ensure their safe return,” Siddaramaiah wrote on Twitter.

His another tweet reads: “Hakki Pikkis in Sudan are left stranded without food since the last few days & the govt is yet to initiate action to bring them back. @BJP4India govt should immediately open diplomatic discussions & reach out to international agencies to ensure the well-being of Hakki Pikkis.”

 “It is also unfortunate to know that we have lost one Indian & 60 others in the ongoing civil war in Sudan. My deepest condolences to their families and pray for the peace in the region,” he said.

Responding to his tweets, EAM Jaishankar said that the Embassy of India in Khartoum has been continuously in touch with most Indian nationals and PIOs (persons of Indian origin) in Sudan since the fighting started on April 14.

“Simply appalled at your tweet! There are lives at stake; don’t do politics,” the minister retorted.

He said that the details and locations of Indians stranded in Sudan cannot be made public for security reasons.

“Their movement is constrained by the fierce fighting that is ongoing. Plans regarding them have to take into account a very complicated security scenario. The Embassy is in constant touch with the Ministry in that regard. It is grossly irresponsible of you to politicize their situation. No electoral goal justifies endangering Indians abroad,” he tweeted.

In Sudan, two rival military generals are fighting a fierce battle for control over the northeastern African country. The conflict has so far killed at least 185 people. The United Nations has described it as a “catastrophic humanitarian crisis” that has led to the near collapse of the health system.

An Indian national named Albert Augestine had died after being hit by a stray bullet amid armed clashes in Sudan. The MEA has set up a control room to provide information and assistance to Indians in view of the current clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Indian Embassy in Sudan has issued a precautionary advisory for Indian citizens against venturing out, as they have come across many instances of looting.

According to official data, the number of Indians living in Sudan is close to 4,000 of which 1,200 settled down in the country decades ago.