India Begins ‘Operation Indravati’ to Evacuate Citizens from Haiti Amidst Crisis

New Delhi: India has initiated ‘Operation Indravati’ to evacuate its citizens from Haiti to the Dominican Republic amidst the ongoing crisis in the Caribbean nation. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed the evacuation of 12 Indians on Thursday, emphasizing India’s commitment to the safety of its nationals abroad.

Expressing gratitude, Jaishankar thanked the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support in facilitating the evacuation.

India begins Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic.

12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad.

Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support. pic.twitter.com/AC3VM63EmJ

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 21, 2024

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, had announced India’s readiness to evacuate its citizens from Haiti if necessary during a press briefing on March 15. Highlighting concerns over the safety of Indian nationals amidst the violence and looting in Haiti, Jaiswal stated that a control room and emergency helpline numbers had been established to assist distressed individuals. The embassy in Santo Domingo, accredited for Haiti, was closely monitoring the situation, ensuring the safety of Indian citizens.

The crisis in Haiti escalated following a prison break orchestrated by armed groups, leading to a state of emergency declaration. Armed groups, now controlling a significant portion of the capital, are engaged in clashes while aiming to overthrow the government.

The chaos has resulted in widespread displacement, with thousands fleeing their homes, compounding the existing challenges posed by gang violence in the region.