Making use of the ceasefire between the two fighting factions in South Sudan and a break in the circle of violence there, India rushed two military aircrafts to evacuate its citizens from the African country. The planes that landed on Thursday in Juba are expected to bring back about 300 Indians who have registered with Indian Embassy desiring to come back.
The C-17 Globe Master aircrafts of the Indian Air Force left for Juba at 5 am and 7 am from Delhi on Thursday morning with Gen. (Retd) VK Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs (MEA), Amar Sinha, Secretary (ER), Satbir Singh, Joint Secretary (WANA) and other officials on board. Soon after landing, VK Singh met the Foreign Minister of South Sudan, Deng Alor Kuol and the Vice President James Wani Igga.
“The aim is to evacuate all the Indian nationals who have expressed their interest in leaving. The evacuation has been meticulously planned in coordination with the local authorities as well as the support of the Indian peace keeping contingent in UNMISS…In our assessment this was an opportune moment to arrange for the evacuation, especially since the ceasefire is holding and there is a lull in hostilities,” said MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
According to the official, the first aircraft departed Juba on Thursday at 1 pm local time. Both aircrafts will first travel to Entebbe in Uganda for a re-fuelling halt of approximately three hours and will depart for India, first landing in Thiruva-nanthapuram early Friday morning before coming to Delhi
Swarup added this entire operation has been under the direct supervision of the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who had formed a high level task force to monitor the situation in South Sudan. “Operation Sankat Mochan has underscored once again the Government’s proactive approach towards helping Indians in distress anywhere in the world,” Swarup said.