India on Sunday announced that it has positioned two Indian Air Force aircraft on standby in Saudi Arabia and Indian Naval Ship Sumedha reached Port Sudan to evacuate stranded Indians in Sudan.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that government of India is making all out efforts to ensure safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan.

“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, Indian Naval Ship Sumedha has reached Port Sudan,” the statement said. The Indian authorities are in closely monitoring the complex and evolving security situation in Sudan and coordinating efforts for the safe movement of stranded Indians with various partners.

“Apart from the Sudanese authorities, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Sudan are also in regular touch with the UN, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and US among others,” the Indian ministry said. It further stated that security situation is volatile as fierce fighting is reported at various locations in Khartoum. “Sudanese airspace currently remains closed for all foreign aircraft. Overland movement also has risks and logistical challenges,” it said. The ministry asked its citizens stranded in Sudan to avoid unnecessary risk and advised them on the viability of safe movement. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday had asked concerned Indian authorities to prepare contingency evacuation plans to bring back around 3000 stranded Indians from Sudan.

Source: Kuwait News Agency