As fighting between the army and paramilitary forces intensifies in Sudan, India launched “Operation Kaveri” with the aim of repatriating all the citizens who have been stranded in that country. As of now, more than 1000 people have been evacuated from the war torn country.
The operation was launched on April 24, 2023. On April 25, India evacuated the first batch of 278 Indians from Sudan onboard naval ship INS Sumedha. It also rushed in essential relief supplies for its remaining stranded citizens amid the ceasefire in the strife-torn African country.
GOVERNMENT EFFORTS
Terming the security situation in Sudan as very complex, highly volatile and unpredictable, Foreign Secretary VinayKwatra said that India has set up a transit facility at Jeddah.
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan is overseeing the evacuation mission from the Saudi Arabian city.
India positioned two transport aircraft of the IAF in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah and naval ship INS Sumedha at Port Sudan as part of its contingency plans to evacuate the stranded Indians. The Ministry of External Affairsalso set up a 24X7 control room which will continue to operate till India overcomes the current situation.
Around 3000 Indian nationals are stranded in Sudan, as per the website of the Indian Embassy in Khartoum.
THE NAME
River Kaveri, one of the largest rivers in India, flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Considered sacred, people worshipthe river as Goddess Kaveriamma. The operation from Sudan is named Operation Kaveri to establish the significance that rivers reach their destination despite the barriers they go through. Here, River Kaveri is portrayed as a mother who will ensure that she brings her children back home safely.
SUDAN VIOLENCE
Clashes have occurred between soldiers who support Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army leader, and Mohamed HamdanDaglo, the commander of the Rapid Support Soldiers (RSF), who is his deputy.
