Speaking with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the deteriorating situation in Sudan, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised the importance of “successful diplomacy,” which could result in an early ceasefire and lay the foundation for the security and welfare of people living in the conflict-ridden African country.
When Jaishankar and Guterres met on Thursday at the UN headquarters in this city, they also spoke about other topics, such as the Ukraine situation and India’s G20 chairmanship.
“It was nice to see UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres today in New York. discussed the G20 Presidency, Ukraine, and Sudan’s recent events,” he tweeted.
“It was obvious why Sudan was the focus. India enthusiastically backs attempts to quickly end hostilities and provide safe passageways. Will continue to collaborate closely in this area with the UN and other partners,” he added.
Conflict in Sudan
The nation’s military leadership engaged in a brutal power struggle that ultimately led to the war.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, and the regular army of Sudan are engaged in combat.
How is India impacted?
Since fierce violence broke out on Saturday across the Sudanese nation, including in the capital city of Khartoum, more than 300 people have died, including an Indian person.
India said on Thursday that the situation in Sudan is “very tense” and that it is concentrating on protecting the safety and well-being of the Indian community. This includes developing backup plans and potential evacuation options.
The External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, said during a media briefing that New Delhi is closely monitoring the events in Sudan in addition to being in contact with pertinent nations and that any evacuation plans will depend on the circumstances on the ground.
“We are prepared to consider a variety of solutions. There are backup plans. Our personnel on the ground are in constant communication with us. But it would all depend on how long the combat stops or ceases; where it takes place; and what options are available for places where we can transport people securely, he said in New Delhi.
Beginning on Friday, Jaishankar will embark on a nine-day tour to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. This will be his first trip to these nations as the foreign affairs minister in the Caribbean and Latin America.
He landed in New York before leaving on his journey to Latin America.
What was said by Jaishankar?
Though he acknowledged that his journey to South America had been planned for some time, he said he “came here to the UN mainly because once the fighting started (in Sudan) on the 14th (of April), you could immediately see that this was very serious and a lot of people were trapped by the situation.”
“We were aware of the UN’s substantial presence in Sudan. The focal point will be this. Since only effective diplomacy can create the conditions necessary for the safety and welfare of the people overseas, diplomacy is now what is required, Jaishankar told a small group of media here after his meeting with Guterres.
Jaishankar said that he had a “very good meeting” with Guterres and stated that after the conflict in Sudan began, “I felt that it was very important” that he meet with him.
“The Sudan crisis took up the most of our meeting. Of course, we also touched briefly on the G20 and the war in Ukraine. But ultimately, he said, it was about the Sudanese predicament.
According to Jaishankar, the United Nations is at “the heart of the efforts” to achieve a truce in Sudan.
And that is incredibly important, he said, “because right now it is not safe for people to really come out unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors.”
“The UN is speaking to everyone as part of its role. Because there are so many Indians there, we have a very deep interest in the situation, Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar said that New Delhi is in contact with a number of nations and that he has talked to the foreign ministers of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Faisal bin Farhan.
We have spoken with the Americans, and I have spoken with my British colleague as well, he said.
He held a “long conversation” with Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry earlier on Thursday morning since Egypt and Sudan are neighbours and have a “strong interest and strong understanding.”
“The question now is how to make the diplomatic procedures produce the desired outcome. A practical, on-the-ground observed ceasefire is the intended outcome. The next phase is to figure out how to construct pathways for mobility, what alternatives there are for movement, and where the assembly sites are, according to Jaishankar.
While this is going on, the New Delhi team is in “continuous touch” with the Indians in Sudan, giving them advice and reminding them to remain composed and avoid needless risk-taking. He responded that they would have to wait for this to resolve itself.
“I’m hoping the efforts, particularly those of the Secretary General, will shortly result in anything. Jaishankar remarked, “But we’ll just have to wait and see.
The African Union had called a meeting for Guterres earlier on Thursday to discuss the “dramatic situation” in Sudan. Participants included the UN, the League of Arab States, IGAD (The Intergovernmental Authority on Development), the European Union, and a number of nations that are fervently committed to finding a solution.
“There was broad agreement to denounce the continued bloodshed in Sudan and demand an end to hostilities. In order to give people caught in combat zones a chance to flee and seek medical attention, food, and other necessities, I call for a truce to last for at least three days, honouring the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, Guterres told reporters.
There have been prior cease-fire efforts, according to Jaishankar, but they failed.
“What he (the UN SG) stated to me was encouraging in regards to the people who are now besieged because…as he said…it is more crucial than ever before that this truce hold. We certainly hope so,” he said.