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
The biggest weapon of RSS is spreading lies and hatred. Who can stop that N Bomb?
Oh this big mouth minister from Left, I being a person from Kerala really know truth. CPIM uses their offices and politcians house to store arms. CM Vijayan and this fellow wanted to have special darshan tickets in Sabarimala and when it was shot down.... all this stories
Raid all mosques, churches and temples and check for arms
Bamboo Sticks/ Lathis are not Weapons. Donot get Bogged down. They cannot use weapons to hurt. They just open their mouth and shout
Time for Hindus to take back Kerala and Kashmir.
Chief Minister should order police raids on these arm stores and recover the arms, and install CCTV cameras to monitor the activities round the clock. CM needs to substantiate his allegations with proof. I fully agree with his view that no religious ceremony should take place during any official function, it has no place in secular democracy. Our constitution gives every citizen right to practice religion of his or her choice freely but not at state level. State has no religion.
Here is a Minister for Temples Administration. He defines a temple as a centre for traditions and beliefs. Sorry Comrade , a temple is a place for worship of God. If it is only a place of tradition and faith, there is the danger of it being appropriated by the communist Party, which has both tradition and faith. No temple in Kerala will allow storing of weapons within, may be in its offices or quarters of staff. Is it a plan for the commies to violate the sanctity of the temples?
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