India Seeks Support of Saudi Arabia In Evacuation Of Its Citizens From Yeme
31 March, New Delhi
India has sought Saudi Arabia’s support and cooperation in the evacuation of Indian citizens from strife torn Yemen.
In a telephonic conversation with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his deep concern about the safety and welfare of approximately 4000 Indian citizens in Yemen.
The king had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday evening.. Modi briefed the Saudi King on India’s evacuation plan. Salman bin Al Saud assured the Prime Minister of his full attention to the safety of Indians in Yemen and all possible assistance for their early and safe evacuation.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Saudi King and conveyed his best wishes to him for a quick resolution of the challenges in the region and early restoration of peace and stability under his leadership.. Modi also reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening India’s close relations with Saudi Arabia.
Four hundred Indian nationals have been evacuated from Yemen by the sea route. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters in New Delhi yesterday evening that services of a local ship is being utilised to move these Indians from Aden to Djibouti.
He said, Indian Air Force has been requested to deploy two C-17 Globemaster aircraft in Djibouti to ferry them to India. The spokesman said, two Air India flights are stationed in Muscat and will be used at appropriate time. He said, all the nationals are safe and secured.
The spokesman said that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, V K Singh will be flying today to Djibouti to oversee the operations there. He said, the government is making every effort to ensure safe return of its nationals and is in touch with regional leaders for their assistance in this difficult situation.
Replying to a query whether Embassy in Sana’a will be closed, Mr Akbaruddin said, the Embassy will be functioning as long as Indian requires help of it. India had issued three advisories earlier, requesting its nationals to leave Yemen as soon as possible in view of fragile conditions in that country.
Meanwhile, aid workers in Yemen have said that an air strike has killed at least 40 people at al-Mazrak refugee camp in northwestern part of the country. State media said Saudi planes were responsible, but the Yemeni Foreign Minister said artillery strikes by Houthi rebels were to blame.
A Saudi Arabian-led coalition has been targeting Shia Houthi rebels across the country in support of Yemen’s embattled president, Abdabbuh Mansour Hadi.