A batch of Indians onboard a small craft which ferried them from Aden Port to INS Mumbai (Photo courtesy: Indian Navy)
India today accepted Pakistan's offer to fly home 11 Indians evacuated from war-torn Yemen by a Pakistani naval ship.
The Indians, who were rescued along with a group of Pakistanis, reached Karachi by ship today. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif offered a special plane to transport them home.
Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit tweeted: "India has accepted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's offer of a special plane to fly 11 Indian nationals to India with gratitude."
Reports say a Pakistani warship evacuated the Indians and others stranded at the Yemeni port of Mukalla, which was stormed by Al Qaeda fighters.
India has evacuated more than 4,000 of its nationals from Yemen in the past week.
The government has also received requests from 26 countries, including the US, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to help evacuate their citizens from Yemen, where Saudi Arabian-led Sunni coalition of 10 nations has launched air strikes against Shia Houthi rebels-backed by Iran.
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the repatriation efforts. "Salute the services of our civilian & defence officials & organisations in helping evacuate our citizens from Yemen. Continue your efforts!" he tweeted, and also, "Seamless co-operation between organisations- MEA, Navy, Air Force, Air India, Shipping, Railways & State Govts greatly helped in rescue work."