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The ministry of external affairs, in a statement, said India has positioned two IAF C-130J on standby in Jeddah and that Indian naval ship ‘Sumedha’ has reached Port Sudan. India’s decision to deploy the Super Hercules military transport aircraft followed the high-level meeting PM Narendra Modi chaired on Friday in which he asked officials to ready contingency evacuation plans. India had used the C-130J earlier also for Afghanistan evacuation.
“Government of India is making all-out efforts to ensure safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan. 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,” said the foreign ministry, adding that apart from Sudanese authorities, India is also in contact with the UN, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and US among others. Three Indians were evacuated by Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The Sudanese army, one of the parties involved in the violence that has seen more than 400 dead, was quoted as saying that they would facilitate the evacuation of diplomats and foreign nationals by military aircraft.
10:56
Sudan Crisis: Situation on ground is tense, India working on evacuation plan
The Indian government, however, has said that Sudanese airspace currently remains closed for all foreign aircraft. Overland movement also has risks and logistical challenges, said the foreign ministry. “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,” said the government.
02:08
Some Indian citizens stranded in Sudan evacuated, arrive in Jeddah
The Indian embassy is in regular touch with the stranded Indians 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,” said the government.
The US military managed to airlift on Sunday close to 100 embassy staffers from Khartoum. Both Sudan army and its rival paramilitary force apparently agreed to not block the airlift. Agency reports from the region said the warring factions had agreed to allow evacuation of foreign nationals with UN’s assistance.
02:18
Indians Trapped in Sudan Conflict: PM Modi directs officials to prepare evacuation strategy
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