New Delhi: India has successfully evacuated over a thousand of its citizens from strife-torn Sudan under its mission, ‘Operation Kaveri’. The evacuees were rescued from Sudan by military aircraft and boats to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.
As many as 360 Indians were brought back to their homeland on Wednesday night.
The external affairs ministry (MEA) is looking at rescuing more citizens from the war-torn African nation before the end of the tenuous ceasefire between Sudan’s regular army and a paramilitary force.
The sixth batch of 128 Indian citizens left Sudan on Wednesday, taking the total count of Indian nationals rescued from the African nation via Indian naval ships and IAF aircraft to nearly 1100. The government has been proactive in its efforts to evacuate its citizens from Sudan, with EAM Dr S Jaishankar monitoring the situation closely.
Under Operation Kaveri, the Indian Navy’s frontline ship INS Sumedha evacuated the first batch of 278 Indian citizens from Port Sudan on Tuesday. This was followed by the second batch of 121, the third batch of 135, the fourth batch of 136, the fifth batch of 297, and finally, the sixth batch of 128 Indians. The evacuation efforts have been carried out in coordination with Sudanese authorities, the UN, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and the US, among others.
“India welcomes back its own. Operation Kaveri brings 360 Indian Nationals to the homeland as the first flight reaches New Delhi,” tweeted Dr Jaishankar along with pictures of the arrival.
Union minister of state for external affairs, V Muraleedharan is camping in Jeddah to supervise the mission and ensure the safe return of all Indian citizens stranded in violence-hit Sudan. On Wednesday night, Muraleedharan also received the family of Albert Augestine, an Indian who died in Sudan, in Jeddah. Upon their arrival onboard the Indian Air Force’s C130J aircraft, the minister arranged tickets immediately for the family to reach Kochi. He assured them of all possible assistance and support in their time of need.
Sudan has witnessed deadly fighting between the country’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that has reportedly left around 400 people dead and forced thousands to flee.
The Indian government has been proactive in its efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens in foreign lands. In recent times, India has successfully evacuated its citizens from troubled countries such as Afghanistan and Libya.