Indian Government Launches Operation Kaveri in Sudan to Rescue Stranded Indians

India launches Operation Kaveri to rescue Indians stranded in Sudan this Monday. Sudan is reportedly in war-like condition currently. Partner countries tag along to help.

Written by: Arjita Gupta

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: April 25, 2023

Sudan is facing a threatening situation in its regions because of deadly fighting between the paramilitary group and the country’s army, which has already crossed 11 days, leaving at least 400 people dead. India has launched Operation Kaveri in its efforts to rescue and evacuate Indians from Sudan. 500 nationals have already taken to Port Sudan after S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Ministers okayed the operation, which is underway now.

Throughout Sudan, the government of India is focusing on safely transporting more than 3,000 Indian citizens from the affected regions. On Sunday to evacuate the stranded Indians, India placed a couple of IAF C-130J transport aircraft in Jeddah, a city in Saudi Arabia. Also, at Port Sudan, it has positioned INS Sumedha, a naval ship for contingency.

The announcement for the evacuation operation by Jaishankar came after MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) conveyed that preparations for contingency are in place to bring the Indians from Sudan. However, it will purely depend on how the security situation is to confirm the movement on the ground. V Muraleedharan, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs will monitor the evacuation mission. Various partner countries of India will coordinate with the nation to ensure the safe movement of stranded Indians who wish to be taken out from Sudan.

The reason for naming the rescue mission as Operation Kaveri has immense importance. Kaveri is one of the Indian rivers that is highly revered. And it flows through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, both are southern states. People of these regions worship the Goddess Kaveriamma and consider it sacred. As the rivers do not adhere to any barriers and reach their destinations, just like a mother who does everything to get her child back to safety, the mission has been named Operation Kaveri by the Modi government.

MEA and the Sudanese authorities, and the Indian embassy in Sudan are in close connection to keep updated with the UAE, UN, US, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, among others. Due to fierce fighting in different locations in Khartoum, the capital of the country, the situation is still volatile in Sudan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday provided preparatory directions and contingency plans for the evacuation of Indians from Sudan. Also, Jaishankar, the last week had spoken to the counterparts in the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia about the ground situation in Sudan.

All this was with the intent to bring back the Indians safely to India. Discussion about the situation in Sudan was also done with Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General. France has also helped to evacuate 5 Indians with citizens of other 27 nations as a part of their rescue mission from Sudan. A total of 338 people from 28 countries along with that India were safely evacuated by the French contingency group from Sudan.

And the French operations for evacuation are already ongoing. If you wish to reach out to the MEA control room in Sudan for Indians, you can contact the toll-free number 1800 11 8797. Otherwise, call on +91 9968291988 (mobile), 91-11-23014104, 91-11-23012113, or 91-11-23017905. You can also email situationroom@mea.gov.in.