PM speaks with Saudi Crown Prince, thanks him for Sudan evacuation support

Meanwhile, Indian Hajjis arriving from different states were received by the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan, at the Hajj Terminal at Jeddah Airport on Thursday. A day earlier, the envoy visited the Tent City of Mina and reviewed preparations. The Indian envoy also visited medical centres, branch offices and dispensaries in the city. “Three large medical centers with a total in-patient capacity of 90 beds and more than 15 other dispensaries have been set up in Makkah for the Indian pilgrims,” tweeted the Indian mission in Saudi Arabia.

The first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Kashmir (630 people) also left for the annual pilgrimage on Wednesday.

Modi also thanked MBS for Saudi Arabia’s “excellent support” during evacuation of Indian nationals from Sudan via Jeddah in April. In return, he conveyed his support to India’s initiatives as part of its ongoing G20 Presidency and that he looks forward to his visit to India, said the statement.

Saudi Arabia had, on April 22, announced that it had evacuated several citizens of “brotherly and friendly” foreign countries from Sudan that included a few Indian nationals. According to an announcement from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 66 citizens from these countries were evacuated by Saudi Arabia on April 22.

More than 3,500 Indians have been living and working in Sudan. To evacuate them, India had recently launched Operation Kaveri, which has, so far, managed to relocate about 2,000 from fighting zones, and 600 of them have reached New Delhi. Saudi Arabia’s help has been key in the evacuation process. V. Muraleedharan, India’s junior foreign minister, was in Saudi Arabia to coordinate the operation. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch, said the release on Thursday.