9th June 2023, Mumbai: In a recent conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Indian Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the excellent support provided by Saudi Arabia during the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sudan in April. The two leaders also exchanged best wishes for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) reported that the discussion encompassed various bilateral cooperation topics as well as global and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended his complete support for India’s activities during its current G20 Presidency and expressed enthusiasm for his visit to India, aligning both leaders on the importance of ongoing dialogue.
In April, India established a transit center in Jeddah to facilitate the safe evacuation of Indian nationals from the conflict-ridden region of Sudan. This initiative, named “Operation Kaveri,” involved transporting Sudanese refugees to Jeddah, from where they were flown back to their home country. Prime Minister Modi specifically commended Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia for the exceptional support his country provided during the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sudan. Additionally, he conveyed his well wishes for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage.
India has undertaken several similar rescue missions to repatriate stranded individuals from other nations. Last year, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Modi administration launched “Operation Ganga” to evacuate a significant number of Indian students from the affected region. “Operation Devi Shakti” was carried out during the Taliban’s offensive in Afghanistan to facilitate the secure return of Indian residents from the country. Similarly, “Operation Vande Bharat” was initiated at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to repatriate millions of Indian nationals from various parts of the world when many countries were implementing strict lockdown measures.
These efforts reflect India’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad during times of crisis. The strong support and cooperation from Saudi Arabia, as well as other nations, have played a crucial role in the successful execution of these rescue missions. The ongoing dialogue between Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman further strengthens the bilateral relationship between India and Saudi Arabia and paves the way for enhanced collaboration in various fields of mutual interest.
Article by PRITESH PATEL