India launches ‘Operation Kaveri’ to evacuate Indians from Sudan

NEW DELHI: India has launched ‘Operation Kaveri’ to bring back its nationals from Sudan that has been witnessing fierce fighting following a power struggle between the regular army and a paramilitary force. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the operation to evacuate the Indian citizens from Sudan is underway and that about 500 nationals have reached Port Sudan.

“Operation Kaveri gets underway to bring back our citizens stranded in Sudan. About 500 Indians have reached Port Sudan. More on their way,” Jaishankar, currently on a visit to the Caribbean region, tweeted on April 24. “Our ships and aircraft are set to bring them back home. Committed to assist all our brethren in Sudan,” he said.

India has positioned two transport aircraft of the IAF in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah and naval ship INS Sumedha at Port Sudan as part of its contingency plans to evacuate the stranded Indians. The government is focusing on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens currently located throughout Sudan.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country’s army and a paramilitary group for the last 11 days that has reportedly left around 400 people dead.