INS Jalashwa brings back 700 Indians stranded in Maldives

at 10:19 pm

New Delhi (NVI): Indian Navy Ship ‘INS Jalashwa’ today arrived at Tuticorin harbour in Tamil Nadu with 700 Indian nationals evacuated from Male in Maldives, under ‘Operation Samudra Setu’.

With this, the Navy ship has evacuated 2672 Indian citizens from Maldives and Sri Lanka to India as part of Vande Bharat Mission, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

“The embarkation of Indian nationals was facilitated by the Indian Mission in Maldives. Personnel were embarked onboard after carrying out requisite medical screening. COVID related safety protocols were also strictly adhered to during the sea-passage,” the Ministry said.

At Tuticorin, the evacuees were received by local authorities and arrangements were in place for their speedy disembarkation, health screening, immigration and transportation.

With this evacuation, the Indian Navy has now repatriated 2,874 Indian nationals from the Maldives and Sri Lanka during the ongoing pandemic, the MoD said.