About 500 Indians have reached Port Sudan as the government’s operation to evacuate its nationals from the war-hit country is under way, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Monday. The rescue mission has been named ‘Operation Kaveri’.
“Operation Kaveri gets underway to bring back our citizens stranded in Sudan. About 500 Indians have reached Port Sudan. More on their way,” Jaishankar tweeted. “Our ships and aircraft are set to bring them back home. Committed to assist all our brethren in Sudan,” he said.
The government on Sunday said that the naval ship, INS Sumedha has already reached Port Sudan while two IAF C-130J aircraft have been positioned on standby in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah to evacuate Indians from the African country.
“Contingency plans are in place but any movement on the ground would depend on the security situation, which continues to be volatile with reports of fierce fighting at various locations in Khartoum,” the MEA said.
The ministry further said India is closely monitoring the “complex and evolving security situation” in Sudan and is coordinating closely with various partners for the safe movement of those who are stranded in the African country.
Prime Minister Narendra had chaired a high-level meeting on Friday and instructed officials to prepare contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape in Sudan and the viability of various options.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country’s army and a paramilitary group for the last 10 days that has reportedly left around 400 people dead.
