Saudi assures help in safe pullout of Indians from Yemen

New Delhi, March 31, 2015: Saudi Arabia has assured India full assistance in safe evacuation of Indians stranded in strife-hit Yemen as Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh flew to Djibouti on Tuesday to oversee evacuation efforts. Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday night and assured him of his "full attention to the safety of Indians in Yemen and all possible assistance for their early and safe evacuation". The Saudi monarch called up Modi at 9.30 p.m. The prime minister shared his "deep concern about the safety and welfare of approximately 4,000 Indians in Yemen". He also briefed King Salman on India's evacuation plan and requested him for support and cooperation in it. The Saudi monarch "recalled the strong and close relations between India and Saudi Arabia and assured the prime minister of his full attention to the safety of Indians". Modi expressed his gratitude "and conveyed his best wishes to His Majesty for a quick resolution of the challenges in the region and early restoration of peace and stability under his leadership. The prime minister also reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening India's close relations with Saudi Arabia," said a statement. On Monday, India evacuated 400 Indians from Aden through sea route by a local craft which took them to Djibouti. In Djibouti, India has stationed five diplomats, including three senior officials of the external affairs ministry, to assist in the efforts.