New Delhi: With growing strains in West Asia following Iran’s launch of over 300 projectiles towards Israel in retaliation for an airstrike on its embassy in Syria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Sunday that the BJP-led NDA, if returned to power for a third term, would prioritize protecting Indian citizens in hostile territories.
During the unveiling of the BJP’s manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, PM Modi emphasized the importance of winning a robust majority, asserting it would enable the government to tackle global adversities and swiftly extract stranded and endangered Indian nationals from tumultuous regions.
Addressing a congregation of party dignitaries, including Union Ministers, at the BJP’s national headquarters in Delhi following the presentation of the party’s ‘Sankalp Patra’, PM Modi noted various parts of the globe were on the precipice of conflict. “A shroud of unpredictability looms over the world today. Numerous areas face warlike circumstances, creating a somber atmosphere globally. In such times, ensuring the well-being and protection of our compatriots is a paramount duty for any administration. Hence, safeguarding our populace remains the primary focus of our government, should we secure another term,” PM Modi declared.
“When global unease peaks due to the looming threat of war, the necessity for a strong, unwavering government with a full majority intensifies. We need an administration that fortifies the nation economically and enhances its resilience against international hurdles. This should propel us towards the eventual goal of achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed nation). The BJP is resolute in pursuing this objective if re-elected. Our manifesto stands as a promise of such governance,” PM Modi continued.
His assertions carry weight when viewed against the backdrop of ongoing strife between Russia and Ukraine in eastern Europe and Israel’s military response to Hamas in Gaza. Even in its second term, the BJP-led NDA showcased readiness and proactivity in airlifting distressed Indians from conflict-ridden areas.
As the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine escalated into open warfare, the Indian government initiated an evacuation campaign to rescue its stranded citizens in Ukraine. ‘Operation Ganga’ commenced on February 26, 2022, and continued until March 11, 2022. During this operation, multiple flights, including Air Force planes, conducted several sorties to retrieve trapped individuals from conflict zones in eastern Europe while providing humanitarian aid.
The mission facilitated the evacuation of roughly 25,000 Indian nationals, as well as citizens from 18 other nations. In a similar initiative, the Centre, under PM Modi’s direction, launched ‘Operation Ajay’ to bring home stranded Indian nationals from Israel during its conflict with Hamas in response to the terror attacks of October 7th last year.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, up until December last year, ‘Operation Ajay’ had successfully rescued 1,309 Indian nationals, 14 OCI cardholders, and 20 Nepalese citizens from Israel. Another bold undertaking involved an Indian Air Force C-130J heavy-lift aircraft rescuing 121 individuals from a small airstrip at Wadi Sayyidna, about 40 km north of the strife-torn Sudanese capital Khartoum, in April of last year.
The airstrip lacked proper infrastructure, including a degraded surface, no navigational aids or fuel, and most critically, no landing lights. Pilots used night vision goggles (NVGs) for nighttime landings. The rescue mission in Khartoum was designated ‘Operation Kaveri’.
In previous instances, the IAF carried out analogous evacuations to retrieve Indian citizens from Kabul following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also reflected on the government’s commitment to rescue Indians in distress abroad, stating, “They (international powers) recognize how we protect our citizens overseas. It could be ‘Operation Ganga’, ‘Kaveri’, or ‘Ajay’. Even during the ‘Vande Bharat’ mission amidst the COVID pandemic.”
PM Modi, on Sunday, lauded India’s role in amplifying the voice of developing nations and the broader Global South.