Indian nationals evacuated from violence-hit Sudan as part of Operation Cauvery, upon arrival at the IGI airport in New Delhi, Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Photo Credit: PTI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to UK Foreign Secretary James Chatterjee and discussed the evolving situation in Sudan, as India steps up its efforts. evacuate your trapped citizens from a conflict-torn African country.
Mr Jaishankar, who arrived in the Colombian capital from Panama, on April 24 announced the launch of ‘Operation Kaveri’, a mission to bring back stranded Indians from Sudan, which has been witness to fierce fighting followed by regular army and power struggles. RSF.
“Just spoke to UK Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly. Discussed the evolving situation in Sudan,” he tweeted on Thursday.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday that his government had launched a “massive” evacuation effort to help British nationals leave Sudan.
Sunak tweeted, “The government begins mass evacuation of British passport holders from Sudan on RAF flights. Priority will be given to the most vulnerable, including families with children and the elderly.”
Mr Jaishankar shared pictures of the Indian expatriates on Twitter after their arrival at the Delhi airport.
“India welcomes their return. Operation Cauvery brings home 360 Indian nationals as first flight reaches New Delhi,” he tweeted.
“Operation Kaveri has taken more steps. Another 136 Indian nationals have been taken to safety in Jeddah. They will be home soon,” he said in another tweet.
670 Indians were evacuated
India has evacuated at least 670 Indian nationals from Sudan and is trying to rescue more of its citizens from the strife-torn African country before the end of a ceasefire between the regular army and a paramilitary force.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country’s army and a paramilitary group for the past 12 days in which nearly 400 people have been killed.
India stepped up its efforts to evacuate Indians from Sudan after a 72-hour ceasefire was agreed upon between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force after intense talks.
India has set up a transit facility in Jeddah and Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan is overseeing the evacuation mission from the Saudi Arabian city.
The first batch of 278 Indians was evacuated from Port Sudan by the Indian Navy’s frontline ship INS Sumedha on Tuesday.
Mr Jaishankar is on a nine-day visit to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, his first visit to these Latin American countries and the Caribbean as External Affairs Minister.