The Indian government has initiated ‘Operation Kaveri’ with an aim to rescue Indian nationals stranded in Sudan due to the crisis.
Launched on April 24, 2023, the Operation Kaveri involves officials from various departments such as the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Air Force, and the Indian embassy in Sudan.
The evacuation process involves transferring the stranded individuals from Sudan to Khartoum, from where they will be flown back to India.
In an update provided by the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, it was stated that 1300 Indian citizens have already been safely evacuated through ‘Operation Kaveri’.
WHAT IS THE CRISIS IN SUDAN?
Military overthrow of the government amind protests: In April 2019, Sudan experienced widespread protests that led to the overthrow of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir by military generals.
Power-sharing agreement: This resulted in the establishment of a power-sharing body called the Sovereignty Council, which was tasked with leading Sudan to elections in 2023.
Military Coup: In October 2021, the military overthrew the transitional government led by Abdalla Hamdok, leading to a power struggle between two military and paramilitary generals, interrupting the plan for a transition to elections.
Preliminary deal: A preliminary deal was reached in December 2021 for a political transition, but negotiations hit a roadblock over the integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Disagreements over the timetable and security sector reforms led to tensions escalating over the control of resources and RSF integration, leading to clashes.
Issue over the disagreement of the RSF with the Sudanese Army: There was disagreement over how the 10,000-strong RSF should be integrated into the army and which authority should oversee that process, with the RSF general, Dagalo, wanting to delay the integration for ten years while the army said it would take place in the next two years. These tensions have led to an ongoing crisis in Sudan, with humanitarian needs and the safety of the country’s citizens at risk.
THESE ARE THE IMPACTS OF THE CRISIS IN SUDAN:
- Economic Crisis
- Obstacle to Democratic Transition
- Destabilization of Neighboring Countries
QUARANTINE FACILITIES UNDER OPERATION KAVERI
- The government is taking necessary measures to ensure that quarantine facilities are available for incoming passengers under mission Kaveri in a mission-oriented manner.
- Out of the 1,191 passengers who have arrived so far, 117 of them are currently quarantined as they were not vaccinated against Yellow Fever.
- These passengers are being accommodated in quarantine centers managed by Airport Health Officers and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in various hospitals across states holding an MOU, as well as central government hospitals in Delhi such as Safdarjung Hospital.
- Rent-free accommodation and free food are provided to these passengers during their quarantine period.
- Additionally, there are quarantine facilities available at RHTC, Najafgarh (100 beds), NITR, Mehrauli (40 beds), and Lady Hardinge Medical College (60 beds).
- If the passengers remain asymptomatic, they will be released after 7 days.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE EVACUATION OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT BY INDIA :
- Operation Ganga (2022): It is an evacuation mission to bring back all the Indian nationals who are currently stranded in Ukraine.
- Operation Devi Shakti (2021): Operation Devi Shakti was India’s complex mission to evacuate its citizens and Afghan partners from Kabul after its swift takeover by the Taliban.
- Vande Bharat (2020): When theCovid-19 pandemic hit the world, the Centre launched the Vande Bharat Mission to bring back Indian citizens stranded in foreign countries.
- Operation Samudra Setu (2020): This was a naval operation as part of the national effort to bring home Indian citizens from overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic.
THANKYOU AND ALL THE BEST
