India evacuates nearly 2,400 stranded citizens from Sudan under Operation Kaveri

Last update: April 29, 2023, 06:02 HST

The 12th group of Indians evacuated from Suda.  (Image: MoS V Muraleedharan)

The 12th group of Indians evacuated from Suda. (Image: MoS V Muraleedharan)

Under Operation Kaveri, India is taking its citizens on buses from the conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday that the government had evacuated nearly 2,400 Indians from conflict-torn Sudan as part of its Operation Kaveri.

The most recent evacuation was carried out by INS Sumedha, which departed Port Sudan with 300 passengers on board bound for Jeddah, making it the 13th group of Indians to be evacuated safely.

“Nearly 2,400 Indians evacuated! INS Sumedha departs from Port Sudan with 300 passengers on board for Jeddah. 13th group of Indians evacuated under #OperationKaveri,” tweeted Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Hours earlier, the Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, welcomed 135 Indian evacuees to Jeddah. While welcoming the 12th batch of Indian evacuees, the minister said, “Our efforts will continue.”

“How is Josh?” #OperationKaveri. Another 135 Indian evacuees reached Jeddah by IAF C-130J. With this 12th batch, about 2100 Indians arrived in Jeddah in total. Our efforts will continue,” he tweeted.

On Friday, an Indian Air Force C-17 heavy transport plane brought home 392 people as part of the government’s mission to evacuate stranded Indians from strife-torn Sudan.

They were the third group of Indians to be brought back from the Saudi city of Jeddah, where India has set up a transit camp for evacuees.

The total number of Indians who have been brought home now stands at 998, according to official data, news agency PTI reported.

As part of Operation Kaveri, India has taken its citizens on buses from the conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan, from where they are taken to the Saudi city of Jeddah in Indian Air Force heavy transport aircraft and Indian Navy ships. .

From Jeddah, the Indians are brought home either by commercial flights or by IAF planes.

India has set up separate control rooms in Jeddah, Port Sudan and the Indian Embassy in Khartoum coordinates with them in addition to liaising with MEA Headquarters in Delhi.

Sudan has witnessed deadly fighting between the country’s army and a paramilitary group that reportedly left around 400 people dead.

(With PTI inputs)

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