India asks its nationals to leave crisis-hit Niger ‘as soon as possible’

Government of India is closely monitoring ongoing developments in Niger, said the spokesperson of India’s ministry of external affairs, Arindam Bagchi.

• Shubham
• 11 August, 2023

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By: Shubham Ghosh

THE Narendra Modi government on Friday (11) issued an advisory for Indian nationals in the western African country of Niger and advised them to leave the country ‘as soon as possible’ in the wake of its internal turmoil.

Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs (MEA), said while addressing the media in New Delhi, “Government of India is closely monitoring ongoing developments in Niger. In light of the prevailing situation, Indian nationals whose presence is not essential are advised to leave the country as soon as possible.”

Advisory for Indian nationals in Niger:https://t.co/7bOPDJtaGt pic.twitter.com/F2RAqKHubL

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 11, 2023

“They may bear in mind that airspace is currently closed. When departing through land border, utmost precautions may be taken to ensure safety and security. Those who may be planning travel to Niger in the coming days are also similarly advised to reconsider their travel plans until the situation normalises..,” he added.

The MEA also ‘strongly’ advised those Indian nationals who have not registered with the Indian embassy in Niamey, the capital of Niger, to do it ‘expeditiously’.

They were also advised to reach the emergency contact in the Indian embassy in Niamey (+ 227 9975 9975) for any assistance.

Sources in the MEA said there were around 250 Indians in Niger which saw staging of a coup by a junta led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani.

Tensions were also rising between the country’s new military regime and the West African bloc that ordered deployment of troops to restore the land-locked country’s flailing democracy, AP reported.

While mentioning the airspace is shut, Bagchi also said that it is difficult to travel through land borders but assured that the Indian government was doing all it can.

France has helped in evacuating some Indians from Niger, like it did along with other countries such as Saudi Arabia earlier this year after a deadly conflict broke out in Sudan between the country’s army and paramilitary forces.