Force ready to bring Indians from Sudan

The government has made arrangements for the evacuation of Indians from South Sudan and set up a task force to closely monitor developments in the war- torn country, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday. Ms Swaraj held a high- level meeting during which ways to coordinate emergency assistance to Indians there were also discussed.

“We have made all arrangements to evacuate Indians from South Sudan in case the situation deteriorates further,” Ms Swaraj said, noting that the situation in that country has reportedly improved since Monday night.

She said, “Even if the situation remains okay, we will ask them if they want to return and we will get them out of there.”

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar on Tuesday tweeted Ms Swaraj to take speedy measures for evacuation of Indians stuck in @ SushmaSwaraj Ma’am request for speedy measures and actions to evacuate Indians stranded in Sudan. Prayers with them. SaveIndiansInJuba Akshay Kumar Juba. “@ SushmaSwaraj Ma’am request for speedy measures and actions to evacuate Indians stranded in Sudan. Prayers with them. SaveIndiansInJuba,” urged the actor.

Replying to the tweet, the minister said Indians were being evacuated. “Akshay Kumar ji — Pl do not worry. We are evacuating Indian nationals from Juba ( South Sudan),” she tweeted.

According to reports, the minister said there are about 600 Indians in South Sudan, of them 450 are in Juba and nearly 150 outside Juba.