External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday convened a high-level meeting of India’s top envoys to Gulf countries and the Ambassadors of Gulf countries posted in India as the Government said that efforts were being made to facilitate early departure of Indian nationals from conflict-hit Iraq.
A MEA spokesperson said that the Ministry was “knocking on every door” to get whatever help was possible for the safety of Indian nationals and asserted that all national assets were in readiness should there be a need. India has set up three camp offices to facilitate departure of 10,000 Indians from non-conflict zones and is in the process of facilitating departure of nationals from non-conflict zones.
The high-level meeting chaired by Sushma was aimed at chalking out a future strategy for the safety and evacuation of Indian nationals in Iraq and steps taken so far in this regard.
Giving the details of the camp offices, the MEA stated that officers in these camps will go to the place of work of Indians and facilitate their departure if they want so.
Besides, providing travel documents, the Ministry will also provide free air tickets, in case they cannot afford them.
Swaraj also met the family of the Indian nationals held captive in Iraq and said, “I shared the written message that came from our Ambassador in Iraq with families of the abducted.”
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that three Air India planes have been arranged for evacuation of Indians trapped in Iraq.
Iraq is witnessing serious strife with Sunni militants, backed by al Qaeda, capturing two key cities and marching towards Baghdad. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been displaced in the fighting that broke out on June 10.
Meanwhile in line with the new Government’s commitment to give priority to neighbouring countries, Swaraj will visit Nepal later next month. The External Affairs Minister, who chose Bangladesh for her first official foreign visit, had also accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first visit to Bhutan earlier this month.
Sushma’s visit is a clear reflection of the new Government’s firm belief that for India’s economic growth and development, a stable and peaceful neighbourhood with which it has strong ties was very important, officials said.
India’s relation has not always been smooth with Nepal, which at times resents the country’s ‘big brother’ image and has been seeking review of the 1950 treaty of peace and friendship dealing with various bilateral aspects.
During the Minister’s visit, ways to prevent cross-border terrorism and criminal activities and boosting trade ties will be among the issues that will be discussed. Economic cooperation is one of the important pillars of bilateral ties due to integrated economic space with open borders that permit free, but legally permitted movement of people, goods and services.