During a high-level meeting on the Sudan issue, PM Modi advised staff to "prepare a contingency evacuation plan."

Yesterday, while presiding over a high-level conference to examine the situation in Sudan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested that officials put up a backup plan for the safe evacuation of the more than 3,000 Indians who are still trapped there due to fighting between the army and paramilitary forces.

"PM Modi heard a firsthand account of the situation, with an emphasis on the security of more than 3,000 Indians in Sudan. PM Modi gave the necessary instructions to the appropriate personnel, asking them to be on guard, keep a careful eye on events, and assess the safety of all Indian citizens. According to the Prime Minister's office, he also requested that the authorities create a backup evacuation plan that takes into consideration the quickly changing security environment and the practicality of alternative plans.

PM Modi conveyed his condolences for the death of an Indian person who was struck by a stray gunshot last week, it said.

This comes after India on the previous day called the situation in Sudan "very tense" and stated that its first concern is the safety and well-being of the Indian population. The administration is developing emergency preparations, including ones for probable evacuation, it was revealed.

According to the World Health Organisation, since fierce violence started there six days ago, 413 people have died and 3,551 have been wounded in Sudan.

About 30 members of the Hakki Pikki tribe from Karnataka are stuck in the Sudanese city of El-Fasher due to fighting between the military and a potent paramilitary organisation there. The Congress charged that ministers in the Modi-led administration were "eager to prove their loyalty to their master and be his voice" and that this led to a contentious conversation between former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Jaishankar said that he spoke with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the deteriorating circumstances in the African country. The Foreign Minister emphasised the necessity of "successful diplomacy" to promote an early cease-fire and provide the conditions necessary for people's safety and well-being on the ground.

Jaishankar has already discussed the Sudan problem with his colleagues from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Sudan's military leadership engaged in a savage power struggle that ultimately led to the country's strife. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, and the regular army of Sudan are engaged in combat.

(Sources: PTI, The Indian Express)