250 Indians residing in Niger are safe, says MEA

“We are closely monitoring developments there. We are in touch with our embassy there,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in his weekly media briefing.

Men hold Niger and Russian flags as they gathers with thousands of anti-sanctions protestors in support of the putschist soldiers in Niger's capital Niamey, Niger. (Reuters)

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India on Thursday said it is closely monitoring the developments in Niger and around 250 Indians residing in the West African country are safe.

Niger has witnessed widespread protests following last week’s coup. A number of European countries, including France, have started evacuating their citizens from Niger.

“We are closely monitoring developments there. We are in touch with our embassy there,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in his weekly media briefing.

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“The embassy has informed us that it is in close contact with the Indian community in Niger,” he said.

Bagchi said around 10 to 15 Indians, who were in Niger temporarily, have left the country on board evacuation flights operated by France.

“The situation is said to be normal now,” he said.

French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said French flights evacuated nationals from many countries from Niger.

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“Following the military coup in #Niger, France has evacuated 992 people from the country through several rotation flights over the past two days,” Lenain tweeted.

“In addition to 560 French citizens, the flights evacuated nationals from many other countries, including Indian citizens,” he added.

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