Europe News Desk!! Two Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft are currently on standby in Jeddah to evacuate Indians as the situation in war-torn Sudan continues to deteriorate after nearly 10 days of fighting between the country’s military and paramilitary forces And INS Sumedha has also reached Port Sudan. Official sources said that the government is making all possible efforts to ensure the safety of the stranded Indians in Sudan, as part of the preparations and pursuing several options to move swiftly. We are closely monitoring the complex and evolving security situation in Sudan, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. We are also closely coordinating with various partners for the safe movement of Indians who are stranded in Sudan and want to be evacuated. It added that contingency plans are in place, but any activity on the ground will depend on the security situation, which remains volatile amid reports of fierce fighting at various locations in Khartoum.
Sudanese airspace is currently closed to all foreign aircraft. It further said, there are also risks and logistical challenges in overland movement. Official sources said the Indian Embassy is in regular touch with the stranded Indians in Sudan and is advising them on the feasibility of safe movement and to avoid unnecessary risk. It is also coordinating all possible assistance, including a possible evacuation from Khartoum city when the security situation allows for safe movement, a source said. Sources said that apart from the Sudanese authorities, the ministry and the Indian embassy in Sudan are also in regular touch with the UN, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and the US.
–IANS
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