Indian Air Force lines up aircraft to evacuate citizens from Sudan

Two Indian Air Force C-130J have been positioned in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah and INS Sumedha has reached Port Sudan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement while giving details of preparations to evacuate Indians from Sudan.

The MEA said that contingency plans are in place, but movement on the ground depends on the security situation.

"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 MEA said in the statement.

India is closely monitoring the security situation and making all-out efforts to ensure the safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan, the MEA said in the statement. The MEA said that the Indian Embassy in Sudan is in regular touch with stranded Indians in Sudan. It advised people on the viability of safe movement and the need to avoid unnecessary risk.
In addition to Sudanese authorities, the MEA and the Embassy in Sudan are in regular touch with the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and the US among others.

The MEA in the statement said, "Government of India is making all-out efforts to ensure safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan. We are closely monitoring the complex and evolving security situation 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."

(ANI)