LOC23:57
20:57 GMT
NEW DELHI, March 30 (KUNA) -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has vowed to help India evacuate its national from Yemen.
In a telephone conversation on Monday with the King, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought Saudi Arabia's support and cooperation regarding the safety of 4,000 Indians in Yemen.
Syed Akbaruddin, official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs tweeted saying: "PM and King Salman discuss situation in Yemen telephonically. India assured of all help to evacuate our nationals safely."
Recalling the "strong and close" relations between both the nations, the Saudi King assured Modi of his full attention to the safety of Indians in Yemen and all possible assistance for their early and safe evacuation.
"Prime Minister shared his deep concern about the safety and welfare of the approximately 4,000 Indian citizens in Yemen. Prime Minister briefed King Salman on India's evacuation plan and requested his support and cooperation in the evacuation of Indian citizens from Yemen," a statement by the Prime Minister's Office said.
Modi expressed his gratitude to the Saudi King and conveyed his best wishes to him for a quick resolution of the challenges in the region and early restoration of peace and stability under his leadership.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening India's close relations with Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held an inter-ministerial meeting during which it was decided to evacuate at least 400 nationals from Aden by sea routes.
With government's plans to airlift the stranded Indians not materialising in view of attack on the Yemen airport late last night, the sea route option was explored and it was decided that a local ship with the capacity of ferrying 400 passengers will be used to transfer all the Indians in Aden to Djibouti, where they will reach tomorrow morning. There are about 300 to 400 Indians in Aden. (end)
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