What is Operation Kaveri?

About Operation Kaveri:

• It is a rescue operation being carried out by the Indian Government to bring back Indian citizens stranded in Sudan.
• According to the official data, the number of Indians in Sudan is around 4,000.
• As part of the operation,  two C-130 aircraft and the navy ship INS Sumedha is on standby to safely evacuate stranded Indians.
• Why the need for evacuation? Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country’s army and a paramilitary group, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that has reportedly left several hundred’s dead. 
• Cause of fighting? It was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government four years after the fall of autocrat Omar al-Bashir and two years after the military coup. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition.

Key facts about Sudan:

• It is located in northeastern Africa.
• It is bounded on the north by Egypt, on the east by the Red Sea, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, on the south by South Sudan, on the west by the Central African Republic and Chad, and on the northwest by Libya.
• Capital: Khartoum
• Sudan is mainly composed of vast plains and plateaus that are drained by the Nile River and its tributaries.
• The country is dominated by Muslims, most of whom speak Arabic and identify themselves as “Arabs.
• Arabic is the primary language of much of the population and is the most common medium for the conduct of government, commerce, and urban life throughout the country.

Q1) What is INS Sumedha?

INS Sumedha is an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of Fleet Operations. It is part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

Source: India launches Operation Kaveri to evacuate stranded citizens from war-hit Sudan

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