India is in touch with various countries with a key focus on ensuring the safety of its nationals in Sudan, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday, adding that the ground situation in the violence-hit country is “very tense”.
“Just to give you a sense... the situation on the ground continues to be quite tense. It remains very tense, which renders any movement very risky. So currently our focus is on ensuring the safety and well-being of the individuals wherever they are located. We are in touch with the people," MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said addressing a media briefing.
Bagchi said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had already spoken to his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt and that he is likely to meet the UN Secretary-General in New York later in the day.
"We announced External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is on a visit to Latin America and enroute he has stopped in New York. He is holding discussions and today he will be meeting UN Secretary-General and we will let you know the updates on what happens after that," Bagchi said.
He said India is keeping a close watch on the developments in Sudan and that the safety and security of Indians is our key focus. 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.
"We are engaged with countries in the region and other countries that have a key role to play particularly, the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE," he said.
"Our ambassador in Washington DC and High Commission in London are in touch with the respective host governments. We are also working with various UN Bodies that are present since the UN has a significant presence there," the MEA spokesperson further said.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group for the last six days that has reportedly left around 200 people dead.
On Monday, the Indian embassy in Sudan had issued a fresh advisory urging Indians not to venture out of their residences and stay calm.
The embassy, on Sunday, had said an Indian national died in Khartoum after sustaining bullet injuries.