New Delhi: India has put two C-130J military transport aircraft on standby in Jeddah as part of the ongoing evacuation of Indian nationals from crisis-hit Sudan, Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Sunday. Indian Navy ship INS Sumedha has also reached port Sudan, the statement added.
"Two Indian Air Force C-130J are currently positioned on standby in Jeddah. And, INS Sumedha has reached Port Sudan," the MEA statement 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," the MEA added.
Giving out the details on the evacuation drive, the MEA said contingency plans for the evacuation of Indians have been put in place but any movement on the ground would depend on the security situation.
The MEA said India is making all possible efforts to ensure the security and safe return of the Indians stranded in Sudan. "We are closely monitoring the complex and evolving security situation in Sudan," the MEA statement said.
"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," the statement added.
According to the external affairs ministry, the security situation in Sudan continues to be "volatile" amid reports of fierce fighting from various locations in the country's capital Khartoum.
Apart from Sudanese authorities, the MEA and the Indian embassy in Sudan are in regular touch with the UN, Saudi Arabia, the 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," the MEA said. It added that the Sudanese airspace is currently closed for all foreign aircraft and overland movement also has risks and logistical challenges.