Operation Samudra Setu by Indian Navy bridges the oceans to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas, as part of the historic Vande Bharat Mission in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the first phase of its evacuation missions, Operation Samudra Setu repatriated 698 Indian nationals to Kochi from Male in Maldives, onboard the INS Jalashwa and INS Magar.
Embarkation on board the ships commenced on completion of screening and issuing of IDs to all passengers, tweeted the Indian Navy.
The High Commission of India to Maldives commended and expressed gratitude to youth volunteers who lent a helping hand in the smooth running of the evacuation exercise.
The massive evacuation exercise is testimony to India-Maldives friendship added the High Commission in its tweet.
The embassy in Maldives shared some heartwarming moments from the zone of action while thanking the authorities and staff involved.
The High Commission further tweeted that the INS Jalashwa – an amphibious transport dock currently in service with the Indian Navy – lived up to its motto: "No land too far, No beach too hard"!
“To witness and capture their happiness at being able to finally return home makes all our efforts worthwhile”, tweeted the Indian consul while sharing thank you messages from passengers glad to be home again.
India’s Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, Civil Aviation & Commerce & Industry, Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted that, Mission Vande Bharat had picked pace with 182 Indians from Bahrain, 234 from Singapore, 168 from Dhaka & 152 from Riyadh returning back on various flights yesterday.
"Great effort by our missions abroad", tweeted India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar as he commended the various embassies and consuls for their tireless efforts.
