Situation tense; focusing on safety of Indians: MEA on Sudan crisis

As fighting between two rival forces rages in Sudan, India on Thursday said the ground situation in that country continues to be very tense and that the Embassy in Khartoum is open, functioning and rendering all services with officials working from separate locations.

Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Arindam Bagchi said India is keeping a close watch on developments in Sudan.

"We are in readiness of taking multiple options. There are contingency plans. We are in close touch with our teams on the ground. But it will all depend on how long there is a pause in the fighting or a ceasefire; where it is happening, what is available in terms of locations where we can safely take people away," he said.

He said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to meet the UN Secretary-General in New York on the situation in Sudan.

The safety and security of the Indians is our key focus, Bagchi said.

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.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group for the last seven days that has reportedly left around 200 people dead.

(with PTI inputs)