On April 18, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar slammed Congress for politicising the issue of Indians stranded in Sudan amid violence between its military and paramilitary force.
“Simply appalled at your tweet! There are lives at stake; don’t do politics. Since the fighting started on April 14, the Embassy of India in Khartoum has been continuously in touch with most Indian Nationals and PIOs in Sudan,” tweeted Jaishankar.
Jaishankar’s reaction came after Siddaramaiah posted a series of tweets saying “It is reported that 31 people from Karnataka belonging to Hakki Pikki tribe, are stranded in Sudan which is troubled by civil war.”
He said that Hakki Pikkis in Sudan are left stranded without food for the last few days and the government is yet to initiate action to bring them back.
Responding to the Siddaramaiah’s tweets, Jaishankar lashed out at Siddaramaiah for divulging the details and locations of the Hakki Pikki tribe which may threaten their security.
Jaishankar said plans regarding them have to take into account a “very complicated” security scenario and that the Indian embassy in Sudan is in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs over the situation in that country.
“It is grossly irresponsible of you to politicize their situation. No electoral goal justifies endangering Indians abroad,” he said.
“Their details and locations cannot be made public for security reasons. Their movement is constrained by fierce fighting that is ongoing. Plans regarding them have to take into account a very complicated security scenario.
The Embassy is in constant touch with the Ministry in that regard. It is grossly irresponsible of you to politicize their situation. No electoral goal justifies endangering Indians abroad,” tweeted Jaishankar.
The Indian Embassy in Sudan on April 18, issued a precautionary advisory against venturing out, suggesting to ration supplies as the “situation may continue for a few more days.”
“We have come across many instances of looting. All Indian nationals are advised please not to venture out. Please ration your supplies. The situation may continue for a few more days. Please try to take help from your neighbours. Please stay at home and remain safe,” tweeted the Embassy of India in Khartoum.
On April 17, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in view of the current clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), set up a Control Room to provide information and assistance to Indians.
“In view of the current situation in Sudan, a Control Room has been set up at the Ministry of External Affairs to provide information and assistance,” read the MEA press release.
As many as 180 civilians have been killed while more than 1,800 civilians and combatants have been injured in fighting between Sudan’s military and the country’s main paramilitary force, according to the United Nations envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes.
The fighting has left many of the five million residents of the capital, Khartoum, stranded at home without electricity or water as they marked the last few days of Ramzan, the Muslim holy month when many fast daily from dawn until dusk.
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