PM Modi chairs a high-level meeting as 4,000 Indians remain trapped in Sudan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today convened a high-level meeting to assess the situation of Indians stranded in Sudan, where violence has claimed the lives of thousands of Indians in the capital city of Khartoum. 4,000 Indians are currently stranded in the crisis-stricken country Sudan.

EAM Jaishankar, Secretary CPV Ausaf Saeed, and critical ambassadors from the region (Gulf countries) who could play an important role in evacuating Indians are attending the meeting.

For the past seven days, Sudan has seen deadly fighting between the country’s army and a paramilitary group, which has reportedly killed around 200 people.

Indians are also suffering from a lack of food, water, medicines, and electricity as a result of the indiscriminate shooting. As many as five million people who have taken refuge at home are without power, food, or water, and communications are severely disrupted.

On Friday, the deadly clashes entered their seventh day, and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said the government is in constant contact with Indians trapped in Sudan.

On Thursday, India stated that the situation there is “very tense” and that it is concentrating on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community, including developing backup plans and potential evacuation.

“The situation on the ground remains extremely tense. Our primary concern is the safety of the individuals. “We communicate with people through various channels,” said Arindam Bagchi, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson.

According to the MEA, New Delhi is keeping a close eye on developments and is in contact with relevant countries. He stated that any evacuation plan will be determined by the ground situation.

According to government sources, India is coordinating closely with various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia, to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals in violence-torn Sudan. Foreign Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has already spoken with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt about the situation on the ground in violence-plagued Sudan, with a focus on ensuring the safety of Indians.

According to the Indian Embassy, an Indian national working in Sudan who was hit by a stray bullet died on April 16. The government stated that all assistance would be provided to the family of an Indian national who died as a result of bullet wounds in Sudan’s capital city of Khartoum.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan stated that the family of Albert Augustine, who was born in the Kannur district of Kerala, will be given all necessary assistance, and that plans are being made to return his body to the country.

Fighting erupted across Khartoum and other Sudanese cities in a clash between two powerful rival military factions, engulfing the capital for the first time and raising the prospect of a nationwide civil war.

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced a 72-hour cease-fire beginning at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Friday, but residents of Khartoum and its sister city Bahri reported gunfire as Sudanese troops deployed on foot in the cities, according to Reuters.

After six days of fighting, the RSF declared a cease-fire early on Friday to coincide with the beginning of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr and to allow locals to reunite with their families.