Sudan situation tense, focus is on safety of Indians: MEA

NEW DELHI: Noting that the ground situation in Sudan is very "tense", the ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the key focus is on the safety and security of the Indians in the violence-hit country.

"India is keeping a close watch on the developments in Sudan where violence spiralled over the weekend. We have set up 24/7 control room in New Delhi, and are in contact with other countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, besides working with various UN bodies deployed there. Our key focus is on ensuring the safety of Indians," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

Meanwhile, external affairs minister S Jaishankar discussed the situation in Sudan with UN chief António Guterres. He said the focus is on achieving workable, on-the-ground ceasefire.


Fighting has erupted in Sudan's capital Khartoum and other places across the country as powerful rival military factions battle for control, increasing the risk of a nationwide civil war.

Referring to the death of an Indian national in the violence, Bagchi said it was unfortunate. "The body has been moved to a hospital. The Indian embassy in touch with the family of the deceased," he said, advising people against any movement, especially in the embassy area which is near airport in Khartoum, one of the worst affected areas.

Bagchi asked the Indians stranded in Sudan to contact the control room or embassy. He, however, asked the stranded people not to go to the embassy physically. "The Embassy of India in Khartoum is open, functioning and rendering all services with officials working from separate locations. Nobody is inside the Embassy building right now."

He said the embassy is also trying to counsel the people how they can get over this period. "Our focus is on stranded and affected people. We are tracking track down every Indians registered there. As of now, everybody is safe and sound. Our advice is to seek shelter where they are till the situation improves. "

When asked whether India is looking at evacuating the Indians in Sudan, he said some plans are being worked out but it will depend on the ground situation.



To another question during a press briefing, he said if there is ceasefire, India will certainly take advantage of the situation.

"We are ready. We are in close touch with our teams on the ground but it all depends on how long there is a ceasefire in fighting and safe locations available for evacuation," the MEA spokesperson added.

Fighting between the army and paramilitaries in Sudan has killed around 200 people and wounded 1,800, damaging hospitals and hampering aid after three days of urban warfare.

A weeks-long power struggle exploded into deadly violence Saturday between the forces of two generals who seized power in a 2021 coup: Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.