NEW DELHI – India has dispatched two military transport aircraft to the Saudi city of Jeddah and a ship to Port Sudan for the evacuation of stranded Indian nationals in Sudan.
An estimated 3,000 Indians are trapped in Sudan as fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues.
India’s External Affairs Ministry stated today that it was in touch with the Sudanese authorities as well as with the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and the United States to ensure the safety and security of its citizens in Sudan.
“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,” the ministry said in a statement.
“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,” it added.
More than 400 people have been killed and 3,550 injured since the fighting between the army and the militia began on April 15.
Japan and South Korea have sent military planes to Djibouti to evacuate their citizens. – Bernama, April 23, 2023
