The Indian government has advised expats in the UAE and the Gulf against travel till flight curbs to their home country are lifted. This follows the clamour from some quarters for special repatriation flights to India.
A senior Indian External Affairs Ministry (foreign ministry) official said Indian citizens are safe in the countries they reside in. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to leaders of Gulf countries who assured him of their welfare, the Indian foreign ministry said. Meanwhile, the Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan,, according to a Malayalam news report, also ruled out special flights.
Responding to a question from Khaleej Times on blue-collar workers' angst following job losses, Vikas Swarup, Secretary West in the foreign ministry said, "Insofar as repatriation is concerned, as you are aware, government has advised against all travel, and Indians have been told to stay where they are, As and when the (21-day) lockdown is lifted, and normal civil aviation resumes, Indians wishing to come back will be able to do so."
According to the latest data from the Indian foreign affairs ministry, there are 1,400 cases of Covid-19 infections among Indian expats in the Gulf region.
Swarup said infected Indians are being treated and kept in isolation in the UAE and Gulf. "Our missions have established contact with all the community leaders and the situation is under control," he said.
Cargo flights operating as usual
Cargo flights carrying fruits and vegetables from India to the Gulf have not been disrupted and would continue as usual, the diplomat said. "We are also helping with medicines based on the requests of Gulf countries," he said.
Eight million India expats live in the Gulf, including close to three million in the UAE. They account for more than 60 per cent of remittances to their home country.
India's long lockdown of 21 says ends next Tuesday. Indications are that it could be extended. Some states like Orissa have already stretched it till the end of the month and others are expected to follow suit.
The government believes that the disease is now concentrated in 75 districts, and the focus should be on these areas to manage and contain the virus.
Comments
Viren Kotian,
Kumar,
Yogesh,
Danish.
George
Shiva
Naren,
Please guys, U guys with all worldly intelligence look like FOOLISH... Dont jump to name an innocent as Terrorist...
Think before YOU blame others
Only U wake up when it happens to you or your own families .
When some is blaming without PROOF ... They are called FOOLS and HYPOCRITE.
Please next time use your God given intellectual and VERIFY before you jump like MONKEYs...
This guy is proved innocent and you guys are proving us that WE can make U dance with any news that is presented to YOU Guys cos U guys never USE your intellect to VERIFY what is Said...THINK and PONDER.
Naren Kotian ......if you need the proof, pls visit the Bhatkal police station and find out who placed the meat bag in NAGABANA to create disturbances ..... this Bastard terrorist should be nakedly hanged.....
wow superb ... third rated jihadist ... hang this bastard ... mostly he arranged passports for islamic state or ISI porkis to conduct bomb blast ... rikacha sumne koorappa, jaathi buddi yelli bidtheera .. we are seeing how your community is doing , proof beka .. proof kotru neev accept madalla .. so waste .. burnol kodla rikacha ?hahahaha
Also arrest the officials who issued him those passports......they are the sponsors of these terrorists.....where are the officers who made his verification.....don't let people laugh at our passport agencies and government.
Do not count chickens before they are hatched? It is normal that painting Muslims with anti nationals and terrorists etc.....
Super and timely catch... Now Amnesty international will start fighting for this anti national's rights. We should make sure he does not escape.
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