Saudi assures help in safe pullout of Indians from Yemen

New Delhi, March 31

Saudi Arabia has assured India full assistance in safe evacuation of Indians stranded in strife-hit Yemen as Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh flew to Djibouti on Tuesday to oversee evacuation efforts.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday night and assured him 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 pm. The prime minister shared his “deep concern about the safety and welfare of approximately 4,000 Indians in Yemen”. He 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 PM of his full attention to the safety of Indians”.

PM 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.

On Monday, India evacuated 400 Indians from Aden through 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.

VK Singh is to oversee the evacuation operations at Djibouti from where Indians are to be flown back home.

The Indian Air Force has been asked to deploy two Globemaster aircraft to ferry those in Djibouti to India. The Air India has stationed two flights in Muscat.

An Indian Navy ship INS Sumitra is also in the region. The navy is pressing into service two more ships -- INS Mumbai and INS Tarkash. Two passenger liners with a total capacity of 1,100 are travelling towards Yemen and would reach there in four-five days, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said on Monday.

Navy ships to assist evacuation

The Indian Navy's new vice chief P Murugesan on Tuesday said the navy will assist in evacuation of Indians from Yemen.

After taking charge at a glittering ceremony held at the South Block lawns on Tuesday, Vice-Admiral Murugesan told reporters that the two warships sent to Djibouti Port will provide anti-piracy assistance besides bringing Indians back.

He said several agencies were participating in the operation.

"Evacuation is going to be through sea and air route, and several agencies like the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Air India are going to participate," Vice Admiral Murugesan said.

"The Indian naval ships will go and evacuate people as well as provide anti-piracy escort duties to the various assets deployed for the operation," the vice admiral said.

Two ships of the Indian Navy, destroyer INS Mumbai and stealth frigate INS Tarkash, have left Mumbai for Yemen.

According to the external affairs ministry, nearly 4,000 Indians are stranded in Yemen. — IANS