Two IAF planes on standby to evacuate Indians stranded in Sudan: MEA

India

oi-Deepika S

Two Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft are currently on standby in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and INS Sumedha has reached Port Sudan, the government said on Sunday while giving details of preparations to evacuate Indians from the crisis-hit African nation.

“Government of India is making all out efforts to ensure safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan. We are closely monitoring the complex and evolving security situation in Sudan,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

“We are also coordinating closely with various partners for the safe movement of those Indians who are stranded in Sudan and would like to be evacuated,” it added.

“Apart from the Sudanese authorities, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Sudan are also in regular touch with the UN, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and US among others,” according to the statement.

As part of our preparations, and in order to move swiftly, the Government of India is pursuing multiple options. Two Indian Air Force C-130J are currently positioned on standby in Jeddah. And, INS Sumedha has reached Port Sudan.

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. Sudanese airspace currently remains closed for all foreign aircraft. Overland movement also has risks and logistical challenges.

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. It is also coordinating all possible assistance including possible exit from Khartoum city as and when the security situation permits safe movement.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sought a report of the on-ground situation with a specific focus on the safety of the 3,000 Indians present in Sudan.

“PM Modi asked the officials to prepare for contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options,” a statement from PMO said.