698 Indian nationals have departed the Maldives, as part the biggest evacuation exercises launched by the Indian government.
While they are travelling via Indian Navy ship, INS Jalashwa, it is expected to arrive at the Cochin Port within 36 to 40 hours.
India is conducting its biggest ever repatriation exercise amid the coronavirus pandemic, to evacuate stranded Indians from various parts of the world.
The exercise was launched on Thursday, and the first group of Indian nationals departed on Friday night.
Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir, noted that that these are individuals “have been longing to go back home” adding that they are “very happy” that they will be able to join their families soon.
The high commissioner also highlighted the support and coordination from the Maldivian government and other agencies in the evacuation process.
“I would also like to acknowledge the support we have received from the government of Maldives, which has on each step provided us all kinds of facilities to make this massive exercise possible and this massive exercise successful in such difficult and trying times when Malé itself is under lockdown.”High Commissioner Sunjay Sudhir
Sudhir added that he is certain that the exercise conducted in Malé will “set an example”.
Maldives’ Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said the repatriation exercise is “a testament to the close friendship between India and Maldives”.
