Focus on bringing back Indian pilgrims from Iran, says MEA
GIVEN THE PRESSURE ON IRAN’S RESOURCES, A TEAM OF SIX INDIAN HEALTH OFFICIALS HAS BEEN DEPUTED TO SET UP TESTING, SAMPLING FACILITIES THERE
NEWDELHI: Coronavirus outbreak is a matter of “great concern” and the government’s initial focus is to bring back Indian pilgrims stranded in Iran, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday.
He said there are over 6,000 Indian nationals in various provinces of Iran. These include about 1,100 pilgrims mainly from the union territories of Ladakh and J&K, and Maharashtra.
Besides there are nearly 300 students, primarily from Jammu and Kashmir; about 1,000 fishermen, including from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat; and others who are on longer term stay in Iran for pursuing their livelihood and religious studies.
Over the last few days, the government has been making focused efforts for the safe return of the stranded Indians, he said.
Jaishankar said during his recent visit to Srinagar, he met parents of some of the students who are in Iran.
“Their anxiety at this time is completely understandable. I shared with them in detail the ground situation and sought their understanding. I assured them that the government would facilitate the earliest possible return of their children. Sampling of these students has begun,” he said.
Given the scale of COVID-19 infection and its pressure on Iran’s own resources, a team of six Indian health officials has been deputed to Iran to set up testing and sampling facilities there.
The first batch of 108 samples were received in India on March 7. These were tested and 58 Indian pilgrims, who tested negative, were brought back by a IAF flight on 10 March.
The “initial focus is on bringi ng back pil grims, mostly stranded in Qom”, he said, adding 58 citizens from Iran has been brought back and the government was working with Iranian authorities to operate some limited commercial flights for facilitating early return of the remaining Indians after testing them.
Meanwhile, the government has asked Indians to stay put wherever they are. “We advise Indians - wherever they are, it is better to stay put,” said Dammu Ravi, additional secretary, ministry of foreign affairs. “They should travel only if they have compelling reasons,” he added.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that India has received requests from Bhutan, Maldives, Iran and China for assistance such as medical equipment. “Some equipment s ent t o China, ot her requests are being considered,” he said.