Two C-130J aircraft, INS Sumedha positioned to evacuate citizens from Sudan: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement on Sunday that two Indian Air Force C-130J have been positioned in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and the INS Sumedha has arrived in Port Sudan, while providing details on preparations to evacuate Indians from Sudan. The MEA stated that contingency plans are in place, but ground movement is dependent 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. It further said, “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. Sudanese airspace currently remains closed for all foreign aircraft. Overland movement also has risks and logistical challenges.”

The MEA stated that India is closely monitoring the security situation and is making every effort to ensure the safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan. According to the MEA, the Indian Embassy in Sudan maintains regular contact with stranded Indians in Sudan. It informed people about the viability of safe movement and the importance of avoiding unnecessary risk.

In addition to Sudanese authorities, the MEA and the Sudanese Embassy maintain regular contact with the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and the United States, among others.

Meanwhile, 66 people from “friendly and brotherly countries” have been evacuated from violence-torn Sudan by Saudi Arabia. The evacuation took place just days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his Saudi counterpart. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over a high-level meeting to assess Sudan’s security situation.