Yemen, April 7 – India’s successful evacuation of its citizens from war-torn Yemen has been appreciated globally, leading to as many as 26 countries including the US, France, Germany, Egypt, Singapore, Iraq and Lebanon, seeking the government’s assistance in the effort.
Sources said though no official request has come from Pakistan, Indian agencies have helped the neighbouring country’s citizens reach home. Pakistan, in turn, has also evacuated around 11 Indian nationals, said the sources.
“There are requests from 26 countries seeking our assistance in evacuation from Yemen,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told MAIL TODAY. He added that the government has so far evacuated around 3,300 Indian citizens and around 220 foreign nationals.
Other countries which have sought India’s help in evacuation from Yemen are Sweden, Djibouti, Hungary, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, Bahrain, Czech Republic, Cuba, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Turkey.
Sources said these countries have approached India to help in evacuations as they do not have the capabilities needed to launch such operations in Yemen, which has been suffering from a fierce battle between a Saudi-led coalition and Shiite rebels, who have forced their entry in various cities.
Yemen President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled overseas as the conflict intensified. Besides Sanaa, India has evacuated people from places like Al-Hudaydah, Mukallah and Aden. On Tuesday, INS Turkish will dock at Al-Hudaydah and facilitate the return of remaining the Indians.
-INDIA TODAY
