Washington, Feb 9: In yet another indication of the deepening Indo-US cooperation, American authorities evacuated as many as 20 Indian nationals from the trouble-torn Chad in a flight that was used to bring back their own stranded diplomats.

When the Indian embassy here came to know that some 100 Indian nationals were trapped in Chad -- where rebel groups are engaged in fierce clashes -- it immediately got in touch with the State Department, White House and Pentagon to see if something could be done.

"The US response was immediate and positive. They said that they would bring our nationals to the extent they can accommodate," a senior Indian official told PTI.

Soon, the embassy was informed that some 20 Indian nationals are being accommodated in a flight that was used by Washington to bring back their mission staff from Chad, including some of their top diplomatic officials.

"We are continuing to liaise," the senior official remarked.

A proxy war between Sudan and Chad through rebel groups on each side of their border is threatening to destabilise the region and could lead to a wider conflict.