Scores of Indian nationals who were stranded in conflict-hit Sudan have returned to their homes after being evacuated by the Indian government. Many of the returnees have no plans to return to Sudan in the immediate future, having seen the death and destruction caused by fighting between the army and a paramilitary group.
The Indian government’s evacuation mission, Operation Kaveri, has so far brought around 670 Indians out of Sudan. The Foreign Secretary has described the security situation in the country as “very complex, highly volatile, and unpredictable”. The aim of the operation is to get every stranded Indian out of harm’s way, with state governments setting up control rooms and helpline desks to facilitate the return of their citizens.
Returnees have described their experiences of looting and violence, with some families living on curd rice and pickles before being evacuated. Many have lost possessions and are returning home with little more than their passports. One returnee, Divya Rajasekharan, described how she and her family became nomads after their house, located near the office of the paramilitary head, was raided. She said she had “no hopes of returning to Sudan” and would have to start her life from scratch.
The Indian government has set up a transit facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is overseeing the evacuation mission from there. The Foreign Secretary said that approximately 3,100 Indians had registered online with the Indian embassy in Khartoum, with an additional 300 in touch with the mission. The total number of PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) in Sudan is around 900 to 1,000.
Although the Indian government is making efforts to evacuate its citizens, the situation in Sudan remains volatile, with fighting ongoing. India, like other countries, has warned its citizens not to travel to the country unless it is absolutely essential.