The first batch of Indians stranded in Sudan has left the African nation in the first phase of ‘Operation Kaveri’.

”First batch of stranded Indians leave Sudan under Operation Kaveri. INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard departs Port Sudan for Jeddah,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted along with a few pictures of the Indians who boarded the ship.

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India has launched Operation Kaveri to bring back Indian nationals after the outbreak of hostilities between the Sudanese Army and paramilitary groups. Many other countries have also launched operations to evacuate their citizens from the war-torn nation.

The French Embassy in India has also evacuated some Indians along with the citizens of 27 other countries as part of its evacuation mission in Sudan.

New Delhi is making all-out efforts to ensure the safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan. The complex and evolving situation is being closely monitored at the South Block.

India is also coordinating closely with various partners for the safe movement of those Indians who are stranded in Sudan and would like to be evacuated.

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 the US among others.

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.