Operation Kaveri: First batch of 278 stranded Indians leave Sudan on INS Sumedha
New Delhi, April 25: In the first phase of 'Operation Kaveri,' 278 Indians stranded in Sudan have departed from the conflict-torn country, the Ministry of External Affairs informed on Tuesday.
The Indian Navy's third Saryu-class patrol vessel, INS Sumedha, left Port Sudan for Jeddah with 278 people on board. Arindam Bagchi, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), took to Twitter to say, "First batch of stranded Indians leave Sudan under #OperationKaveri. INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard departs Port Sudan for Jeddah."
As the conflict between the Sudanese Army and paramilitary groups continued in Khartoum, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced on Monday that the government's 'Operation Kaveri' to evacuate its nationals from battle-torn Sudan is underway, with around 500 Indians having arrived in Port Sudan.
India has begun "Operation Kaveri" to bring back Indians who have been stranded in the war-torn Sudan.
"Operation Kaveri gets underway to bring back our citizens stranded in Sudan. About 500 Indians have reached Port Sudan. More on their way. Our ships and aircraft are set to bring them back home. Committed to assisting all our brethren in Sudan," Jaishankar said.
Previously, the French Embassy in India reported that their country has evacuated some Indians, as well as residents from 27 other countries, as part of its evacuation mission from violence-stricken Sudan.
Earlier on Saturday, Saudi Arabia informed about the evacuation of 66 citizens of "brotherly and friendly" foreign countries, including a few Indian nationals, from the conflict-torn country.
Sudan is facing violent clashes owing to fighting between the army and the paramilitary forces, with reports of violence even amid a 72-hour ceasefire.
Also Read | Indians stuck in Sudan: Madhya Pradesh issues helpline number for citizens
- ANI
