India’s greatest rescue mission in Yemen, 7 reasons why the world is applauding Operation Rahat

Image source: IANS
Jayakrishnan Jayakrishnan folomojo staff

One of India’s greatest operations to rescue more than 4,000 stranded Indians in war-torn Yemen is almost over. We give you 7 points why it was a remarkably heroic operation and why all Indians should be proud.

1. Operation Rahat is being wrapped up with with the Navy’s INS Tarkash reaching Djibouti from Al Hodeidah with 74 people this morning.

2. The mission has been nothing short of heroic and remarkable. And, the kudos and encomiums were not far in coming, including from an icon we have not heard from for some time.

3. Amul weighed-in in a way only Amul can!

4. India also rescued 250 foreign nationals, including Americans,  from 26 different nationalities. And, they were grateful and appreciative.

5. The Indians in Yemen were happy to be back and proud that their country had come to their rescue. They didn’t hold back the emotions. Sabah Shawesh, with her eight-month-old baby,  tweeted.

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted back.

6. What made the rescue mission possible, when bigger powers like the US were floundering, was the diplomatic space that India enjoyed. In fact, PM Modi spoke personally to the Saudi King requesting access to Yemen, which was granted. Plus, as PM Modi noted, the superb coordination between different agencies involved helped.

7. The presence in Yemen of the much-maligned state minister for external affairs, who is a former army chief, helped. Because of his experience, decisions on the ground were faster and the coordination among various agencies better.