‘Situation Very Unpredictable’: Sudan Envoy on Abduction of Indian National by Rebel Forces
An Indian man from Odisha has been abducted by rebel forces in the conflict-hit African nation of Sudan, the country’s envoy to India confirmed on Monday. Sudan’s Ambassador to India, Mohammed Abdalla Ali Eltom, told PTI that his government is working closely with India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to secure the release of the abducted Indian citizen, identified as 36-year-old Adarsh Behera from Jagatsinghpur district.
Behera was reportedly kidnapped by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from Al Fashir, a city about 1,000 kilometres from Khartoum, and is believed to have been moved to Nyala in South Darfur, an RSF-controlled zone, according to PTI sources.
Eltom described the current security environment as “very unpredictable.” He said, “We kind of know what we need to do, and we have seen what they (RSF) are capable of doing. We hope he will be treated well and can safely return soon.” The ambassador also noted that India had earlier reached out to Sudan during a similar siege involving another Indian national who endured extremely challenging conditions for over 500 days.
Who is Adarsh Behera?
According to reports by NDTV, Behera has been working in Sudan since 2022 at the Sukarati Plastic Factory. His wife, Susmita, said he has been struggling to survive amid the escalating violence. The couple has two children aged eight and three.
A video reportedly shared by Behera’s family shows him sitting on the floor with folded hands, pleading for rescue. “I am here in Al Fashir, where the situation is very bad. I have been living here for two years with great difficulty. My family and children are very worried. I request the Odisha government to help me,” he said in the video.
Sudan Crisis and India’s Role
Speaking on bilateral ties amid the ongoing civil war, Ambassador Eltom said relations between India and Sudan remain strong. “Our relations with India are long-standing and deeply rooted. India has always been an important partner to Sudan in times of peace and in times of war,” he told PTI.
He appreciated India’s continued humanitarian assistance and medical aid delivery to Sudan, noting that the country remains grateful for the support. “The potential for cooperation between our two countries is vast. Once reconstruction begins, we believe India can play a significant role as a development partner,” he added.
On reports of a possible military partnership between Sudan and Pakistan, Eltom clarified, “I have seen those reports, but they appear to be media claims without official confirmation. As of now, I cannot verify such reports. They may be speculative or politically motivated.”
The RSF’s recent capture of Al Fashir has triggered a fresh wave of violence and displacement in North Darfur. Last week, the rebel force took complete control of western Darfur after ousting the Sudanese Army following an 18-month siege.