New Delhi (NVI): Indian Naval ship INS Jalashwa today reached Kochi carrying 588 more Indian citizens who were stranded in the Maldives, under phase 2 of ‘Operation Samudra Setu’.
This was the Indian Navy ship’s second voyage to bring back Indians from the island country.
“INS Jalashwa, deployed for Op Samudra Setu, entered Kochi harbour today morning concluding her second voyage to bring back Indians from Male, Maldives,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The ship disembarked 588 Indian citizens including 70 women (06 expectant mothers) and 21 children at the Samudrika Cruise Terminal, of Cochin Port Trust,” it added.
The ship reached Cochin Port Trust at 11.30 am and was received by the personnel from Indian Navy, State Government, District Administration and Port Trust.
Extensive arrangements were also made by the Port authorities for streamlining the process of COVID screening and immigration procedures as also by the civil administration for transportation for the evacuated Indian nationals to respective districts/States for further quarantining, the Ministry said.
Indian citizens had embarked the ship at Male on May 15. The ship’s scheduled departure on 15 May was, however, delayed due to inclement weather, accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds, the Ministry said, adding that the ship had departed Male on 16 May (yesterday).
588 Indian nationals reach #Kochi, safe and sound#INSJalashwa entering Kochi harbour concluding round 3 of evacuation from #Malé under Op. #SamudraSetu #MissionVandeBharat @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @MOS_MEA @DefencePROkochi @indiannavy pic.twitter.com/3F01xatypK
— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) May 17, 2020
The Indian government has launched ‘Operation Samudra Setu’ to facilitate return of Indian citizens from foreign shores. Similarly, Mission Vande Bharat was launched earlier this month to fly back Indian nationals stranded in foreign countries amid coronavirus crisis and lockdown.
Both the missions were launched this month and have entered stage 2 from May 16-22.
