The Minister of Foreign Affairs has held talks with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss Sudan’s internal conflict. India is working with the Quartet countries to ensure the safety of Indian residents in Sudan.
In the wake of the corpses of 180 civilians and a mounting tally of 1800 injured civilians and combatants combined, India is keeping a close eye on the growing unrest in Sudan. The increasing concern about the well-being of the resident Indians in the North African nation has called for close surveillance of the situation by the Indian Embassy in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Power and Violence – How Sudan Exploded into Chaos
Sudan has experienced a total of six coups since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1956 as a result of a power struggle. The notorious Omar al-Bashir came into power in a coup in 1989. During his three-decade dictatorship, he displayed all of the hallmarks of autocratic tyranny: unchecked corruption, secret police, and the forced repression of opposing voices.
Bashir’s reign of terror ended in a coup in 2021, aided by then-allies the RSF and the Sudanese army. The army has run Sudan’s transitional government since then, with coup leader and Sudan Army General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan acting as the country’s de facto ruler.
General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, the RSF leader and deputy general of Burhan, had collaborated with the Sudanese army to keep the military at the pinnacle of power. Following elections in 2024, Sudan was supposed to have a civilian government. However, when Hemedti rose through the ranks to rival Burhan, the two leaders locked horns.
RSF had attempted to seize control of the country’s economic assets, including its gold mines, for quite some time. However, the violence spiraled out of control due to a disagreement over how RSF paramilitaries should be integrated into the Sudanese army, posing the question of which leader would assume the seat of supreme commander in charge of overall military operations.
When the RSF deployed members throughout the country and in Khartoum without the Army’s express permission, chaos ensued on April 15th.
India and her ensuing worries
India turned her attention to Sudan when an Indian national was shot and injured amidst the infighting in Sudan. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishanakar had a phone conversation with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan about Sudan. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan also wanted to keep in touch with Jaishankar. Both foreign ministers, according to sources, assured Jaishankar of their practical support on the ground.
Steps Taken by India
According to the embassy, an Indian national died in Khartoum on Sunday after being shot. The Indian Embassy in Sudan issued a new advisory on Monday, urging Indian nationals to stay indoors. They said the ground situation in that country is very tense and the movement of people is very risky at this stage.
The Ministry of External Affairs has established a 24×7 control room to provide further information and assistance. According to the sources, India’s top priority is the safety of individuals, wherever they are.
India is in talks with the Quartet countries of the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which play an important role in Sudan. India is also collaborating with the United Nations, which has a significant footprint in Sudan.
