Operation SamudraSetu:

• The operation aims to evacuate personnel who repatriate Indian citizens from overseas.
• GoI is monitoring the situation with respect to the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens abroad. The Indian Navy has been directed to make suitable preparations for their evacuation by sea.
• The Indian Mission in the Republic of Maldives is preparing a list of Indian nationals to be evacuated by Naval ships and will facilitate their embarkation after the requisite medical screening.
• Under the operation, a total of 1000 persons are planned to be evacuated during the first trip, catering for COVID-related social distancing norms vis-a-vis the carrying capacity and medical facilities available onboard.
• The ships are provisioned for the evacuation operation. The evacuated personnel will be provided the basic amenities and medical facilities during the sea-passage.
• Stringent protocols have been stipulated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The evacuated personnel will be disembarked at Kochi, Kerala. They will be entrusted to the care of State authorities.
• This operation is done by the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health, and various other agencies of Central/State governments.