Indian Cabinet Minister Joins Mission to Evacuate Citizens From South Sudan

India has sent two C-17 military transport planes to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to evacuate more than 300 Indians who are stranded in the war-torn country.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — According to the Ministry of External Affairs, there are around 600 Indians in South Sudan, 450 of them are in Juba and around 150 live in other areas.

According to the Foreign Ministry officials, so far about 300 Indians have registered with the Indian embassy for evacuation. 

The General takes charge again!
2 C-17s proceeding to Juba tomorrow with @Gen_VKSingh leading evac'n frm South Sudan pic.twitter.com/H48qiBJHad

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) 13 July 2016

​Operation "Sankat Mochan" is being led by Minister of State for External Affairs General V. K. Singh. He is accompanied by Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations), Joint Secretary Satbir Singh and Director Anjani Kumar of the Ministry of External Affairs.  

Opn #SankatMochan
Indian rescue team headed by @Gen_VKSingh lands in Juba in the first C-17 Globemaster pic.twitter.com/tilGk5nXZn

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) 14 July 2016

​

"We will make all possible efforts to bring all Indian nationals who were stranded in Sudan back safely," V. K. Singh told the press.

According to the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup, "The first flight has already landed in Juba and the second flight will be landing soon. The aim is to evacuate all the Indian nationals who have expressed an interest in leaving."

Opn #SankatMochan
Indian Blue Berets posted in South Sudan as part of UNMISS lend a helping hand in evac'n effort pic.twitter.com/0tCr94iwmx

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) 14 July 2016

​"The evacuation has been meticulously planned in coordination with the local authorities as well as the support of the Indian peace keeping contingent in UNMISS. Soon after landing, V. K. Singh met the Foreign Minister and Vice President of South Sudan," Vikas Swarup, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs told media. 

#SankatMochan, Homeward Bound!
143 inc.10 women & 3 infants onboard as 1st C-17 Globemaster prepares to depart Juba pic.twitter.com/ZsGoKzmhmr

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) 14 July 2016

​

The operation "Sankat Mochan" has been under the direct supervision of Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, who had formed a high level task force to monitor the situation in South Sudan.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the first flight, with 147 on board, has departed from Juba.