COVID-19: Operation Samudra Setu — INS Jalashwa brings back 698 Indian nationals from Maldives

Indian Navy's INS Jalashwa arrived at Kochi Harbour on Sunday bringing back 698 Indian nationals who were stranded in Male, Maldives as part of Operation Samudra Setu (Mission Sagar).

Pregnant women display victory sign after they reach Kochi Harbour by INS Jalashwa under Operation Samudra Setu. According to the Indian Navy, there are 19 pregnant women among the 698 Indian nationals.

The Navy officials said that the INS Jalashwa mission highlighted India's commitment to safeguarding its diaspora anywhere in the world. | Above: People evacuated from Maldives undergo temperature tests as they come out of the navy ship INS Jalashwa, at Cochin Port in Kochi.

Operation Samudra Setu is a repatriation mission launched by the Indian Navy to bring Indian citizens home from foreign shores in wake of COVID-19. The mission is being conducted in close coordination with Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health and various other agencies of the Government of India and state governments.

Inside the INS Jalashwa. Jalashwa is the first vessel to arrive in India as part of Indian Navy’s massive repatriation mission named 'Operation Samudra Setu'.

A pregnant woman evacuated from Maldives as part of Samudra Setu Programme under Vande Bharat Mission, undergoes temperature test along with others as they come out of the navy ship INS Jalashwa, at Cochin Port in Kochi.

Indian nationals disembark from INS Jalashwa at the Kochi harbour as they were brought back from Male, Maldives, under the under Operation Samudra Setu.

Western Fleet Ships mission deployed in the Indian Ocean Region joined INS Jalashwa during operation Samudra Setu, on her passage back to Kochi in Kerala from the Maldives.

Indian nationals disembark from INS Jalashwa at the Kochi harbour as they were brought back from Male, Maldives, under the under Operation Samudra Setu.

Beds are seen inside the INS Jalashwa to repatriate Indian nationals from Maldives as part of the first phase of Operation 'Samudra Setu' due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Male. The Navy dispatched two ships, INS Jalashwa and INS Magar for the operation.

First batch of Indian nationals who were stranded in the Maldives are brought back via Indian Navy Ship (INS) Jalashwa during operation Samudra Setu.

Indian nationals disembark from INS Jalashwa at the Kochi harbour as they were brought back from Male, Maldives, under Operation Samudra Setu.

Western Fleet Ships mission deployed in the Indian Ocean Region joined INS Jalashwa during operation Samudra Setu, on her passage back to Kochi in Kerala from the Maldives.

A pregnant woman along with other people, evacuated from Maldives as part of Samudra Setu Programme under Vande Bharat Mission, comes out of the navy ship INS Jalashwa, at Cochin Port in Kochi.

High Commission of India to Maldives officials check the name of the registered passenger as INS Magar that will take 200 Indians to Kochi under operation Samudra Setu, in Male on Sunday.

A health care worker checks the passenger before boarding the INS Magar that will take 200 Indians to Kochi under operation Samudra Setu, in Male on Sunday.