The Government of India has taken certain steps to protect Indians in the crisis-hit Sudan. On April 20, the External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York to secure help and protect Indian citizens in the crisis-hit Sudan. On his route to Latin American countries, S Jaishankar was on an official visit to New York on April 20.
After weeks of escalating tensions between the army and the paramilitary on the delay in signing an internationally supported deal, violence erupted in Sudan on April 15, affecting the human lives in this bloody power struggle.
EAM Jaishankar said, “We had a very good meeting. Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also discussed the G20, and Ukraine conflict, but essentially it was about Sudan”. He added, “In Sudan, the UN is trying to establish a ceasefire and that is really key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it’s not safe for people really to come out”.
Furthermore, Jaishankar said, “So, the UN is doing its bit, talking to everybody. We have obviously very strong interest in the matter because many Indians are there”.
“The focus is on how you get the diplomatic processes to yield the desired result and the desired result is workable, on the ground observed ceasefire and then to take the next step on how you create corridors for movement, what are the options for movement, what are the assembly points”, he added. He continued, “Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with the Indians in Sudan, advising them. I hope that the efforts will yield something very soon”.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi responded to the queries on the situation in Sudan. He said S Jaishankar is in talks with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He also has a conversation with his Egyptian counterpart.
While responding to the questions regarding the safety and evacuation of Indians from Sudan, Arindam Bagchi said, “If the situation on the ground improves and there is a pause in the fighting and a formal ceasefire, we will certainly take advantage of that. Primarily to get people together in a safe spot, and provide food, and water, but for the moment there is not much respite from the fighting”.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for a three-day ceasefire in Sudan to commemorate Eid-ul-Fitr. He said the ceasefire would allow people trapped in conflict zones to escape and seek medical treatment.
He told the reporters, “As an immediate priority, I appeal for a ceasefire to take place for at least three days, marking the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, to allow civilians trapped in conflict zones to escape and to seek medical treatment, food and other essential supplies”.
(with inputs from ANI)
