(a) the Government’s position on the ongoing riots in South Africa;
(b) whether Indians have been victims of the violence in South Africa;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the number of Indians affected;
(d) whether the Government has taken steps to safeguard the personal and economic interests of Indians affected by violence;
(e) whether the Government is considering evacuating Indians from South Africa; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and if no, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) to (d) During the recent unrest in South Africa, incidents of violence, looting and arson impacting the Indian community were reported.
On 14 July, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar spoke to Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Dr. Naledi Pandor, who asserted that the early restoration of normalcy and peace was her government’s overriding priority. The High Commissioner of South Africa in New Delhi updated the Government of India on the situation in South Africa. The High Commissioner of India in Pretoria was in constant touch with community leaders and the South African Government on the matter. The High Commission and the Consulates put out emergency contact numbers for information and/or help. High Commission of India in Pretoria and the Indian Consulates in Johannesburg and Durban in collaboration with the Indian expatriate community have been assisting distressed families in KZN.
(e) & (f) The situation has since become calm and normalcy is slowly returning to the affected areas. Hence, question of any further action is not under consideration.
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