Headlines
India intensifies pull-out of nationals from Yemen; naval ship in Aden
New Delhi, March 31
India on Tuesday
intensified efforts to pull out its around 4,000 nationals from Yemen,
deploying aircraft and at least five ships, even as the Saudi Arabia-led
airstrikes against the Shia Houthi rebels entered the sixth day.
Indian
Navy ship INS Sumitra docked at the Aden harbour on Tuesday night to
evacuate the first batch of stranded Indians to Djibouti from where they
will be flown back to India.
External affairs ministry
spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "INS Sumitra to depart Aden
tonight for Djibouti with 1st batch of Indians evacuated from Yemen by
sea. Will reach Djibouti tomorrow morning."
Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh on Tuesday flew to Djibouti to oversee the evacuation efforts.
India's
move came as Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud spoke to Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on Monday night and assured full assistance in
safe evacuation of Indians stranded in Yemen.
King Salman assured
Modi of his "full attention to the safety of Indians in Yemen and all
possible assistance for their early and safe evacuation".
The
Saudi monarch called up Modi at 9.30 p.m. The prime minister shared his
"deep concern about the safety and welfare of approximately 4,000
Indians in Yemen".
Modi also briefed King Salman on India's evacuation plan and requested him for support and cooperation in it.
The
Saudi monarch "recalled the strong and close relations between India
and Saudi Arabia and assured the prime minister of his full attention to
the safety of Indians".
Modi expressed his gratitude "and
conveyed his best wishes to His Majesty for a quick resolution of the
challenges in the region and early restoration of peace and stability
under his leadership. The prime minister also reaffirmed his commitment
to further strengthening India's close relations with Saudi Arabia,"
said a statement.
The navy has pressed into service two more ships -- INS Mumbai and INS Tarkash.
In
addition, two passenger liners with a total capacity of 1,100
passengers are moving towards Yemen and would reach there in four-five
days.
On Monday, India evacuated 400 Indians from Aden through the sea route by a local craft which took them to Djibouti.
In
Djibouti, India has stationed five diplomats, including three senior
officials of the external affairs ministry, to assist in the efforts.
The Indian Air Force has deployed two C 17 Globemaster aircraft to ferry those in Djibouti to India.
Air India has stationed two aircraft in Muscat.
India
is also in touch with regional leaders and will seek their assistance
in this difficult situation, the ministry spokesperson said.
Vice
Chief of Indian Navy Vice Admiral P. Murugesan said on Tuesday that the
navy will assist evacuation of Indians from Yemen and the two warships
sent to Djibouti Port will provide anti-piracy assistance besides
carrying Indian nationals back.
Talking to reporters after taking
charge as the vice chief of Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Murugesan said
several agencies are participating in the operations.
"Evacuation
is going to be through sea and air route, several agencies like Indian
Navy, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Air India are going to participate," he
said.
Many countries in the region, including Pakistan and
China, have rushed their officials and aircraft and ships to evacuate
their respective nationals as the fighting intensified.
The Saudi Arabia-led aerial bombing campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen continued for the sixth day on Tuesday.
The air strikes are aimed at forcing Houthi rebels to hand power back to President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
At least 40 people were killed on Monday and 200 others wounded in an air strike at al-Mazraq camp.