New Delhi, April 24: India has prepared and equipped itself to evacuate Indians from the conflict-ridden Sudan.
Two giant C-130 J aircrafts are stationed in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah while Naval ship INS Sumedha has reached Port of Sudan.
“We are pursuing multiple options with the ground situation in Sudan going from bad to worse,” MEA spokesman said.
India is of the view that Saudi Arabia is the best option to rescue the stranded Indians due to the distance as well as logistical availability. “Saudi Arabia has successfully evacuated its citizens,” MEA sources added.
It is estimated that there are 3000 Indian nationals stuck in the war-torn country of Sudan.
Last week, External Affairs minister S. Jaishankar had spoken to his Saudi Arabian counterpart and sought his help to evacuate Indian citizens.
“Indian Embassy in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, is functional. However, it is very close to the airport where a lot of shelling is taking place. We need to be extremely cautious,” MEA spokesman said.
Officials said contingency plans are firmly in place but any movement on the ground depends on the security situation which continues to be volatile.
“Our embassy is in regular touch with the stranded Indians in Sudan and is advising them on the viability of safe movement and the need to avoid unnecessary risk. We are also coordinating all possible assistance including possible exit points from Khartoum city as and when the security situation permits safe movement,” MEA explained.
EOM
