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Two C-130J, INS Sumedha To Evacuate Citizens From Sudan

By LokMarg 23rd April 2023

Two Indian Air Force C-130J have been positioned in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and INS Sumedha has reached Port Sudan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement on Sunday while giving details of preparations to evacuate Indians from Sudan. The MEA said that contingency plans are in place, but movement on the ground depends on the security situation.

“As part of our preparations, and in order to move swiftly, the Government of India is pursuing multiple options. Two Indian Air Force C-130J are currently positioned on standby in Jeddah. And, INS Sumedha has reached Port Sudan,” the MEA said in the statement.
It further said, “Contingency plans are in place but any movement on the ground would depend on the security situation, which continues to be volatile with reports of fierce fighting at various locations in Khartoum. Sudanese airspace currently remains closed for all foreign aircraft. Overland movement also has risks and logistical challenges.”

India is closely monitoring the security situation and making all-out efforts to ensure the safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan, the MEA said in the statement. The MEA said that the Indian Embassy in Sudan is in regular touch with stranded Indians in Sudan. It advised people on the viability of safe movement and the need to avoid unnecessary risk.

In addition to Sudanese authorities, the MEA and the Embassy in Sudan are in regular touch with the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and the US among others.

The MEA in the statement said, “Government of India is making all-out efforts to ensure safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan. We are closely monitoring the complex and evolving security situation in Sudan. We are also coordinating closely with various partners for the safe movement of those Indians who are stranded in Sudan and would like to be evacuated.”

The MEA stated that Indian Embassy in Sudan is coordinating all possible assistance, including possible exit from Khartoum city according to the security situation in Sudan.

“Our Embassy is in regular touch with the stranded Indians in Sudan and is advising them on the viability of safe movement and the need to avoid unnecessary risk. It is also coordinating all possible assistance including possible exit from Khartoum city as and when the security situation permits safe movement,” the MEA said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Indian nationals are among 66 people from “friendly and brotherly countries” evacuated by Saudi Arabia from violence-torn Sudan. The evacuation came days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Saudi Arabia counterpart. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Sudan.

Saudi Arabia ministry, in a statement, announced the “safe arrival” of 91 Saudi citizens and around 66 nationals representing the following nationalities Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Canada, and Burkina. Faso.

Sudan is facing violence due to fighting between the army and the paramilitary forces. Fighting between two rival military factions – the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues in Sudan despite a 72-hour truce declared for Eid, CNN reported. On Saturday, Loud explosions and clashes were reported, mainly near the military headquarters and presidential palace in Khartoum. (ANI)

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Safe Evacuation Of Indians From Sudan Days After PMO Meet

By LokMarg 23rd April 2023

Some Indian nationals were evacuated among 66 citizens from 12 nations from the conflict-hit Sudan to Saudi Arabia.

The evacuation came days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Saudi Arabia counterpart and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Sudan.
Saudi Arabia ministry, in a statement, announced the “safe arrival” of 91 Saudi citizens and around 66 nationals representing the following nationalities Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Canada, and Burkina. Faso.

Sudan is facing violence due to fighting between the army and the paramilitary forces. There are reports of violence even amid a 72-hour ceasefire.

The statement read, “In the implementation of the directives of the Kingdoms Leadership, we are pleased to announce the safe arrival of the citizens of the Kingdom who were evacuated from the Republic of Sudan as well as several nationals of brotherly and friendly countries, including diplomats and international officials, who arrived in an evacuation operation carried out by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces with the support of various branches of the armed forces.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Sudan via video-conferencing on Friday.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with a specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout the country.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the passing away of an Indian national who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet last week.

Prime Minister Modi instructed all relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitoring developments and continuously evaluating the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and extending them all possible assistance. The Prime Minister further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of maintaining close communication with neighbouring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan.

Earlier, Jaishankar had a meeting on April 20 met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and discussed the developments in Sudan.

“We had a very good meeting. Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also discussed the G20, and Ukraine conflict, but essentially it was about Sudan,” Jaishankar told ANI.

Jaishankar said that the Indian government is in continuous touch with its citizens stuck in Sudan.

“Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with the Indians in Sudan, advising them, saying we know it’s very difficult for everybody but keep calm and don’t take unnecessary risk. I hope that the efforts will yield something very soon,” the EAM said.

Fighting has been raging between forces loyal to Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The conflict began since a coup in 2021 between Sudan’s military leader and his deputy on the ruling council erupted derailing a plan for a transition to a civilian democracy after the fall of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Elections were supposed to be held by the end of 2023. (ANI)

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Operation Trishul: CBI Extradited 33 Absconders In One Year

By LokMarg 12th March 2023

Under Operation Trishul, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has extradited 33 people hiding in other countries, involved in various criminal activities.

A senior official with the agency said that since the launch of Operation Trishul, CBI has successfully extradited 33 criminals since January 2022 that includes six criminals in 2023.

CBI being the nodal agency for India coordinates with national central bureaus of other countries.

In the recent case, Red Notice subject Mohammed Haneefa Makkatt wanted by Kerala police in Kunnamangalam Police Station in Kozhikode for the kidnapping and murder of one Karim in 2006 has been extradited from Saudi Arabia and brought back to India on Sunday, the official said.

Earlier based on an Interpol red notice, the wanted accused was located in Saudi Arabia.

Interpol Saudi Arabia informed about the location of the accused and requested to send a team for taking the subject to India for extradition.

The wanted accused has been brought back by the Kerala police team.

On March 7, CBI arrested Harchand Singh Gill, a director of the Pearls Group, who was deported from Fiji in connection with a multi-crore ponzi scam allegedly orchestrated by his company. Gill had a red notice issued against him by Interpol.

The official said that they are coordinating with Nodal agencies of other countries regarding absconding accused hiding in various countries. Several cases are under process, and the absconding accused will be extradited soon, officials said. (ANI)

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Relations With India Top Priority: Saudi Foreign Minister

By LokMarg 7th March 2023

Terming the relationship with India a “top priority”, Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Farhan Al-Saud said that the relationship between both nations has grown exponentially, adding that there is a need for measurable progress in all sectors especially the economic and trade relationship.

Highlighting the strong relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the minister said that both leaders want to see actual results, progress in relationship between the countries.

“The relationship with India is a top priority and we need to have measurable progress in all sectors especially the economic and trade relationship,” the Saudi Foreign Minister said in an interview with President of Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Samir Saran at Raisina ‘Ideas Pod’.

Al-Saud said the relationship between India and Saudi Arabia in the last five years, has grown exponentially.

“Part of that is the very strong relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince who have a very strong working relationship. Both of them are very similar in the sense that they both are very result oriented. They don’t want just a nice talk, they want to see actual results, they want to see progress and that means that we in the government have a very clear direction,” he said while defining the similarities between both the leaders who believe in action.

Emphasizing on India’s rising global stature, he said, “India is a fantastically dynamic country with huge potential and we’ve seen that especially in the last five years, the trajectory for India is fantastic. The potential that India holds is almost unmeasurable.”

Acknowledging the fact that India has played an important role in the developmental journey of the Kingdom for several decades given the large Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, he said, “The connection has existed even before that, you know hundreds of years given the trade relationship. We’re now building on that connection, on that relationship in a way that is not just benefiting both of us, it’s really benefiting the international Community.”

He also said that India’s huge size offers great potential as a huge amount of India’s trade to Europe passes through the Red Sea.

“We are of course India’s most important energy partner as that’s the case for traditional energies but we’re also looking to continue that into the renewable era,” he added.

Earlier, Saleh Eid Al Husseini, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to India, said that he wants to bring this relationship to the highest level. Speaking on the celebrations of the Kingdom’s founding day here, the envoy said he was happy to have a strong and friendly relationship between the two countries.

Underlining the strong relationship between the Kingdom and India, Husseini said, “We are very happy to have a strong relationship with our friendly country India. Also for a long time, we have had this relationship and we have been asked to bring this relationship to the highest level that we can.”

While speaking on the foundation day celebration, the envoy highlighted the Kingdom’s governance and how the youth has been its focus as the next generation.

“We are very proud to have a country that started in 1727 and this year as I said reflects good governance and we hold our future, our children and all our Saudi Arabia is now focussing on youth on the next generation”, said the Envoy.

“Our country is celebrating around 300 years and this reflects nations’ governance, reflects equity, to have the prosperity of their people. To bring modernization and at the same time to regain the culture of the society. It’s not by chance to be 300 years old unless the state is caring about its neighbours, caring about its people, seeking peace all over the world”, added the envoy. (ANI)

Why Saudi’s ‘Mukaab’ Project Riles Muslims

By Asad Mirza 3rd March 2023

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) announced the launch of the New Murabba Development Company, last week. The new company will oversee developing a new downtown area spread over 19 sq. km. in capital Riyadh

Authorities claim that plans have been created keeping sustainability and environment in mind. The project would include green spaces, walking and cycling pathways, to improve the quality of life by encouraging active, healthy lives and social interaction.

What is Mukaab?

The main feature of the project has been named The Mukaab, a gigantic cube structure has been described as the future ‘face of the city’, and critics say it may even be the face of a new Saudi Arabia, focussing and generating more revenue through tourism than petroleum. At present, the plan is to fill the cube with 100,000 residential units as well as 9,000 hotel rooms.

In addition, it will also have over 80 entertainment and cultural venues. A renowned museum, and a campus for a technology and design university. The 19 km space will accommodate thousands of people. The 25 million sq.mt. floor area is divided strategically into 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms & 620,000 sq.mt. of leisure assets. Additional 980,000 sq.mts. will be covered by retail and 1.8 million sq.mt. will be dedicated to recreational facilities.

The building, will be 20 times bigger than the New York City’s Empire State Building, and will be a one-stop location for shoppers and business owners, with more than 980,000 square metres of retail shops and 1.4 million square metres of office space.

The Mukaab’s core structure will be an atrium, allowing for tons of natural light and foliage to thrive inside. The government brief promises an immersive ‘gateway into another world’ that is completely powered by the latest digital, virtual, and holographic technologies.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia’s abundance of oil money has sparked the design of some absolutely insane architectural projects. In 2021, MbS announced his $500 billion futuristic Neom city in the northwest of the country, with promises of robot maids, flying taxis, and a giant artificial moon. And last year, he unveiled a giant linear city, The Line, which aims to stretch over 106 miles and house 9 million people. The one-trillion-dollar project will essentially be its own massive city in the middle of a desert once it’s finished.

A New Kaabah?

Authorities claim that the project will add 180 billion riyals ($48 bn) to the Saudi economy and “create 334,000 direct and indirect jobs,” though the cost of the gargantuan project has not been mentioned.

New Murabba (square) and The Mukaab were widely ridiculed by social media users, both within and outside Saudi Arabia, apart from a large number of Muslims all across the globe, as soon as the plans were announced.

The Mukaab was also denounced for its likeness to the most important cube-like structure in Saudi Arabia and the Islamic world: the Kaabah. During Namaaz Muslims around the world face towards the structure in the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, and circumambulate it during Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Though one would have expected a much more vociferous outcry from the clerics in Saudi Arabia, but it has not happened as they can’t unyoke clutches of the ruling dispensation and have lost free voice and expression.

In India, the All India Shia Personal Law Board has condemned the project. In a statement, general secretary of the Board Maulana Yasoob Abbas said the Saudi government was deeply hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims across the globe by building a structure that resembles the Kabaah which is the holiest sites of Islam. Maulana Abbas said a massive movement would be launched to oppose this project. The first protest will be held at the Imambara in Lucknow on 5 March.

Why this new developmental push?

Apparently it seems that Saudi Arabia, has embarked on an ambitious project to diversify the economy away from oil and shed its image as a conservative, closed-off state. Besides promoting new narratives of development and progress.

Additionally, it has serious regional competition from neighbouring Dubai and the Qatari capital Doha, both of which have for decades tried to position themselves as regional tourism and investment hubs.

The kingdom already has an $800 billion plan to double the size of the capital in the next decade, as well as transform it into a cultural and economic hub for the region, according to Saudi media.

Over the years Saudi Arabia, which has seen an economic boom and a desert country transformed into a modern developing country was essentially based on the petroleum industry.

In addition it earns billions in revenues through the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages. In recent years, it has made travel to the kingdom friendlier for the pilgrims and expansion plans in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah are underway to accommodate more number of tourists.

As a strategy it also is promoting the Umrah pilgrimage more than the annual Hajj, as the revenues through Umrah pilgrims flows throughout the year and the government is not forced to spend more on providing facilities and security to the Umrah pilgrims, whose stay is much shorter as compared to the Hajj pilgrims.

So far, the government was focussing more on promoting tourism, but with the ascension of MbS, it seems to have changed tracks. As his critics say he is pursuing a growth plan which seems more unIslamic than his parleys with the Israelis.

(Asad Mirza is a political commentator based in New Delhi. He can be contacted at www.asadmirza.in )

Saudi Removes Restrictions On Hajj Pilgrim Numbers, Age Limit

By LokMarg 10th January 2023

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced that there will be no limit on the number of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj, Arab News reported citing the country’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.

Speaking at the Hajj Expo 2023, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah stated that the number of people participating in this year’s Hajj will return to pre-pandemic levels, and there will be no age limit for Hajj pilgrims this year.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah tweeted, “During the opening of #Hajj_Expo 2023, H.E. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq AlRabiah announces: ‘Number of Hajj pilgrims in 1444H will return to how it was before the Coronavirus pandemic without age restrictions’.”

About 2.5 million people took part in the pilgrimage in 2019, Arab News reported. However, the number of pilgrims was reduced for the next two years due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier on January 5, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that people living in the country wanting to perform Hajj this year can apply for pilgrimage, as per the Arab News report. The ministry said that there would be four categories of Hajj packages available for local residents.

The people applying for pilgrimage must have national or resident identity valid until the middle of July, as per the Arab News report. Pilgrims need to have proof of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination.

In addition, they need to obtain a vaccination certificate for the ACYW quadruple meningitis vaccine at least 10 days prior to arriving at the holy sites. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah called on all applicants to register directly through its website and not to make use of the same mobile number for more than one application. (ANI)

China’s Xi To Visit Saudi Arabia This Week

By LokMarg 6th December 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to reach Saudi Arabia on Thursday amid the tension between the US and the two countries.

According to CNN citing sources, Xi’s trip to Arabia’s capital Riyadh will include a China-Arab summit in which 14 Arab heads of state are expected to attend.
During the two-day visit, a China-GCC conference is also expected to take place.

Rumours of a Chinese presidential visit to the US largest Middle East ally have been circulating for months. Still, they are yet to be confirmed by the governments of Saudi Arabia and China.

Last week, the Saudi government sent out registration forms for reporters to cover the summit, without confirming the exact dates. The Saudi government declined to respond to CNN’s request for information about Xi’s visit and the planned summits.

The US and Saudi Arabia are still embroiled in a heated spat over oil production, which in October culminated in strong rhetoric and traded accusations when the Saudi-led oil cartel OPEC+ slashed output by two million barrels per day in an effort to “stabilize” prices. The decision was taken despite heavy US campaigning against it, according to CNN.

In July, US President Joe Biden paid a visit to Saudi Arabia where he raised the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Biden said that he believed the Saudi leader was responsible for the US-based journalist’s death.

“I raised it at the top of the meeting, making it clear what I thought of it at the time and what I think of it now,” Biden said in a speech after hours of meetings with the Saudi Crown Prince in Jeddah.

US relations with China have also been strained not only with Saudi Arabia. China and Saudi Arabia have also taken different stances to the West regarding the Ukraine war. Both have refrained from endorsing sanctions on Russia, and Riyadh has repeatedly maintained that Moscow is a key energy-producing partner that must be consulted on OPEC+ decisions, reported CNN.

Following last month’s massive oil cut, some US officials have accused Saudi Arabia of siding with Russia and aiding President Vladimir Putin with his war on Ukraine.

Saudi officials have denied either weaponizing oil or siding with Russia. (ANI)

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US Places China, Pak On List Of Religious Freedom Violators

By LokMarg 3rd December 2022

The Biden administration has placed China, Pakistan, and 10 others on a list of countries that “engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom” during 2022.

“Today, I am announcing designations against Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
“I am also placing Algeria, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam on the Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom,” he added.

The United States has also designated nine groups including the Taliban, and the Russian paramilitary organization Wagner Group, as “Entities of Particular Concern.”

“I am designating al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, the Taliban, and the Wagner Group based on its actions in the Central African Republic as Entities of Particular Concern,” he said.

Noting that governments and non-state actors harass and kill individuals on account of their beliefs, Blinken said the United States will not stand by in the face of these abuses.

“In some instances, they stifle individuals’ freedom of religion or belief to exploit opportunities for political gain. These actions sow division, undermine economic security, and threaten political stability and peace,” he said.

The US Secretary of State said the announcement of these designations is in keeping with US values and interests to protect national security and to advance human rights around the globe.

He said that the United States will continue to carefully monitor the status of freedom of religion or belief in every country around the world and advocate for those facing religious persecution or discrimination.

“We will also regularly engage countries about our concerns regarding limitations on freedom of religion or belief, regardless of whether those countries have been designated,” he added. (ANI)

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SRK Leaves For Saudi To Resume ‘Dunki’ Shoot

By LokMarg 16th November 2022

Speculations around Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan resuming the shoot of his upcoming film ‘Dunki’ started spreading on social media after he was spotted at the Mumbai Airport during the early hours of Wednesday by the paps.

Videos surfaced on social media in which SRK could be seen donning a brown jacket, blue t-shirt, and cargo pants.
Soon after the ‘Don’ actor’s videos got viral, fans started speculating that the actor might have left to shoot for the next schedule of Rajkumar Hirani’s film ‘Dunki’ in Saudi Arabia.

The major reason behind fans’ speculations was the ‘Paheli’ actor’s look.

A few months back, a picture got viral on social media from the sets of ‘Dunki’ in which Shah Rukh Khan could be seen with his co-actor Taapsee Pannu.

In the new Aiport video, SRK’s look was quite similar to his look in the previous viral picture.

‘Dunki’ marks the first collaboration of Shah Rukh Khan with director Rajkumar Hirani.

The official release date of the film is still awaited.

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan will also be seen in director Siddharth Anand’s next action thriller film ‘Pathaan’ alongside Deepika Padukone and John Abraham.

Produced by Aditya Chopra, the film is all set to hit the theatres on January 25, 2023.

Apart from that, he also has south director Atlee’s next crime thriller ‘Jawan’ in his kitty which is slated to release on June 2, 2023. (ANI)

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Saudi PM’s India Visit To Focus On Trade, Investments

By LokMarg 25th October 2022

Saudi Crown Prince and newly appointed Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Mohammed bin Salman is expected to be in New Delhi for a short one-day visit on November 14.

In Delhi, the Saudi Crown Prince will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, before heading to Bali, Indonesia for G20 Leader’s Summit.
The program is still evolving and there is no formal announcement of the visit yet.

Trade and investment will be the key areas of focus during talks between India-Saudi leadership in New Delhi, according to a source.

Trade between the two countries stands at nearly USD 43 billion this fiscal year. Source told ANI that India is looking for more exports to the kingdom, Saudi is already a big market for Indian footwear and textiles.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is also hoping to expand its base into India’s petrochemical sector.

Talks on the formation of mutual halal certification agencies to stop misuse and undersea power transmission line from Saudi to India are also progressing. Deliberation is also taking place on institutionalizing the Rupee-Riyal trade, the introduction of UPI and Rupay cards.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to a massive jump in global inflation led by spiraling oil prices. Saudi is a major oil exporter to India and New Delhi will be hoping for some relief in this aspect.

Saudi-led OPEC is already under fire for cutting oil production from November onwards. The United States says it is a political move and many experts say that this will lead to a further increase in global inflation.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman recently visited India.

Meanwhile, Minister Jaishankar visited Riyadh in September and discussed cooperation in the political, security, and socio-cultural pillars of strategic partnership. (ANI)