As fighting continued in Sudan, a fourth Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft arrived in Jeddah with 128 Indian nationals, bringing the total number of Indians evacuated from Sudan to 670. According to Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, efforts are underway to send all Indians who have arrived in Jeddah to India as soon as possible.
The first group of evacuees, consisting of 360 Indians, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday night on a commercial aircraft. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted about the successful operation, welcoming back Indians to their homeland.
Despite a 72-hour ceasefire that began at Monday midnight, fighting continued in parts of Sudan, including near television and radio buildings in Omdurman, the city adjoining the capital Khartoum. The existing ceasefire was extended by Sudan’s Army chief, but basic supplies like clean water and money remain scarce. There is a lack of fuel, doctors, and access to food and cash, making it difficult for people in Khartoum and Omdurman to survive.
The conflict erupted on April 15 amid a power struggle between the leaders of the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The proposal from the regional African bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, for a ceasefire was initially approved by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The proposal suggests sending envoys from the Sudanese army and the RSF to Juba in South Sudan to discuss the details of the ceasefire.
The ongoing crisis has left many Indians stranded in Sudan. However, the Indian government’s swift action to evacuate its citizens has been widely appreciated. The efforts made by the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of External Affairs, and other authorities to evacuate Indians safely and efficiently have been praised by people across India.
As the situation in Sudan remains tense, the Indian government is closely monitoring the developments and is committed to ensuring the safe return of all Indian citizens in Sudan. With the help of the Indian Air Force and other authorities, the government is making every effort to bring back all Indians stranded in Sudan.