India has confirmed that it is actively coordinating with Sudanese authorities and international organisations to secure the release of an Indian national who has been taken captive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary militia engaged in a brutal conflict with Sudan’s armed forces. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Friday that the government is working through all available channels to ensure the safety and early release of the Indian citizen, identified as 36-year-old Adarsh Behera from Odisha.

Behera, who had been working in Sudan for the past three years, was taken into custody when RSF fighters overran El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the last major stronghold of the Sudanese military in the Darfur region. The fall of El Fasher on October 26 marked a major shift in the conflict, giving the RSF sweeping control over the area and leading to widespread alarm for civilians caught in the fighting. In the midst of this takeover, Behera was seized by RSF troops, and since then the militia has released multiple videos showing him alive but in their possession.

At the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed Behera’s captivity and noted that the government is taking all necessary steps to bring him home safely. He stated that the Indian embassy in Port Sudan is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining direct communication with relevant authorities. According to Jaiswal, “One Indian national is in the custody of the RSF. As you know, there is fighting going on in the El-Fasher region. We are in contact with the Sudan government and international organisations so that the Indian national can be safely freed and we can ensure his security.” He did not disclose further operational details, citing the sensitivity of the situation and ongoing negotiations.

The conflict in Sudan has escalated sharply since April 2023, when the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF—a paramilitary force originally formed from the infamous Janjaweed militias—clashed in a violent struggle for control of the country. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has gained significant ground in western Sudan. Its operations have resulted in mass casualties, large-scale displacement, and allegations of atrocities. El Fasher, a city with a long history of humanitarian crises, had been one of the last strongholds resisting RSF control. Its fall effectively extended the militia’s dominance across Darfur.

Earlier this week, Sudan’s ambassador to India, Mohammed Abdalla Ali Eltom, publicly acknowledged the abduction and said that Sudanese authorities were in active communication with their Indian counterparts. He described the RSF as a “bloodthirsty militia” backed by foreign powers and expressed deep concern for Behera’s safety. According to the ambassador, the situation on the ground is volatile and unpredictable, making it difficult to predict how the militia might treat the captive. “We hope that he is not harmed by the militia. The situation is unpredictable; you never know what they will do,” he said.

Behera’s capture has raised widespread concern among his family in Odisha and the larger Indian community working in Sudan and neighbouring countries. Reports indicate that he had been employed in Sudan for three years in a private capacity and was residing in El Fasher at the time of the militia’s takeover. The videos released by the RSF show him speaking under the group’s supervision, which has added urgency to India’s diplomatic efforts. Indian officials are said to be cautiously optimistic but aware of the unpredictable nature of the conflict, where civilian hostages have often been used for leverage.

The MEA has activated multiple diplomatic channels, including direct coordination between the Indian embassy in Port Sudan and Sudan’s foreign ministry. Additionally, India is consulting with international humanitarian agencies and organisations that have access or communication lines within conflict-affected zones. These include UN agencies and non-governmental organisations still operating in parts of Darfur, though their access remains severely restricted.

The conflict in Sudan has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian disasters in recent years, with widespread food shortages, mass displacement, and a breakdown of health and administrative systems. More than nine million people have been displaced, according to UN estimates, and many towns have been ravaged by militia incursions. In this context, securing the release of foreign nationals has become increasingly challenging, as the ability of central authorities to influence militia behaviour has diminished significantly. The RSF operates autonomously and controls large swathes of territory, complicating any negotiation efforts.

The Indian government has faced previous situations involving the evacuation or rescue of Indian nationals from conflict zones, including in Libya, Yemen, and South Sudan. In many of these cases, India has worked through local governments, third-party intermediaries, or international organisations to secure safe passage. However, the Sudan conflict presents a uniquely complex environment, marked by fragmented control, multiple armed actors, and the absence of a stable national authority. Despite these difficulties, the MEA has reiterated its commitment to protecting Indian citizens abroad and has assured Behera’s family that the government is pursuing every possible avenue.

The MEA has not indicated whether negotiations are being conducted directly with the RSF or through intermediaries, but officials have stressed that “all possible assistance” is being extended. The Indian embassy in Port Sudan continues to maintain contact with Sudanese officials, who in turn are attempting to secure the safe release of the captive Indian national. Sudan’s embassy in New Delhi is also in close communication with the MEA, providing updates and coordinating efforts.

The Sudanese ambassador’s strong condemnation of the RSF underscores the severity of the crisis and the limited influence of the central government over militia-controlled regions. His characterisation of the RSF as a proxy force supported by foreign actors signals broader geopolitical tensions underlying the conflict, which have added further complexity to efforts to stabilise the region and protect civilians.

For now, the Indian government’s priority remains the safe return of Adarsh Behera. The MEA has urged restraint and patience while diplomatic channels continue to operate. The situation in El Fasher continues to evolve, and officials have admitted that the path to securing Behera’s release may be unpredictable. However, India’s engagement with Sudanese authorities and international organisations signals a multi-pronged approach to resolving the crisis.