New Delhi: Minister of State (External Affairs) VK Singh, who had commandeered the rescue operation of Indian nationals in Yemen, received a warm welcome at IGI Airport on Friday.
Speaking to reporters, the former Army chief said, “There were many challenges, conditions are such that it was difficult to rescue people, but it was our task.”
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj gave the responsibility and we adhered to it, results are in front (sic).”
“We have ended air operations yesterday, there is war all around,” Singh said, adding, “Airstrike was taking place near Sana'a, were asked to return back but somehow we got the permission, faced lot of challenges.”
Singh said the government was helping everybody irrespective of their nationality. “On humanitarian grounds we are helping everybody, almost 5000 Indians and 1000 foreign nationals have been evacuated,” he said.
“Today we have brought 110 people in my aircraft from Djibouti, some Indians don’t want to come, can’t help that,” he said.
When asked by a reporter as to how could India manage to recue its nationals when many big nations have failed, Singh said, “Bhagwan ki kripa humare desh par zyada hai, humare PM ka josh bhi saath hai (God’s benevolence is more on our country, our Prime Minister’s enthusiasm is also with us).”
