Panama City. India has launched ‘Operation Kaveri’ to evacuate its citizens from war-torn country Sudan and take them back safely. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar gave this information to the Indian community in Panama. Jaishankar reached Panama from Guyana on Monday. He called on President Nieto Cotijo and conveyed his personal greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He met the Indian community here on Tuesday and also visited a Hindu temple in Panama. He tweeted, “Started the morning seeking blessings of God at the Hindu temple in Panama City and meeting the enthusiastic Indian community.” I am extremely overwhelmed to see their love and dedication towards the country. During his interaction with the Indian community, the External Affairs Minister discussed about the stranded Indians in Sudan and the Government’s efforts to evacuate them safely.
He said, “I am here in Panama right now. I was in Guyana for the last few days. However, my mind is in Sudan. We are carrying out ‘Operation Kaveri’ there, under which we want to evacuate and rescue stranded Indians in Sudan. “We are working to bring them back or transfer them to some other country and their safe evacuation.
Jaishankar had on Monday announced the launch of ‘Operation Cauvery’ campaign to bring back Indians trapped in the fierce fighting between the army and the RSF in Sudan. Government of India had started ‘Operation Ganga’ to bring Indians stranded in Ukraine and ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ was started to bring Indians stranded in different parts of the world during the Corona virus crisis.
India on Tuesday evacuated the first batch of 278 Indians from Sudan with the help of naval ship INS Sumedha and brought relief material to its remaining stranded citizens as the ceasefire in the African country continued. Jaishankar said he was “surprised” to learn when he was told that for the first time in 60 years, an Indian foreign minister was visiting Panama.
“I wondered whether there was a lack of effort on your part or whether your invitation was not encouraging enough…. Diplomatic relations between India and Panama were established in 1962. Jaishankar said former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi have visited Panama in the last few years.
He “expressed full confidence that more delegates from India would visit the country in future”. Former Vice President Naidu visited Panama City in May 2018 and Lekhi visited the country in May 2022. Jaishankar also spoke about his meeting with Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo and Foreign Minister Janaina Tewane Mencomo.
Interacting with the community, Jaishankar informed that the President of Panama said that the changes taking place in India, including developments related to digital, healthcare, inclusion and infrastructure, have global relevance. He said that he was happy to hear the views of the President of Panama about India and the people of India living in Panama. Jaishankar also talked about the Covid-19 pandemic and how it has affected the world.
After his visit to Panama, Jaishankar will travel to Colombia, where he will meet several top leaders of the country and review bilateral relations with his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Leyva Duran. Jaishankar on Monday attended the launching ceremony of an India-made ferry along with Guyana President Irfan Ali, which will enhance connectivity, provide mobility and economic opportunities to remote areas of the country.
Jaishankar is on a nine-day visit to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. This is his first visit to these Latin American countries and Caribbean countries as External Affairs Minister.
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