Question : Indians in War Torn Countries

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Indians residing in war torn countries like Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan;

(b) the various steps taken by the Government to protect their life and property;

(c) the number and details of Indians who returned from these war torn countries due to breach of peace;

(d) whether the Government has taken any special steps or provided any financial assistance to create employment opportunities for them after their return to India; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (e) As per available information, approximately 24,084 Indians are presently residing in 6 war torn countries including Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, as per details given in Annexure.

Details of Indians evacuated from the war torn countries by the Government in the last few years are given below:

• 1,082 Indian nationals, mostly students, were evacuated by the Government from Luhansk and Donetsk, war torn areas in Eastern Ukraine, in 2014 and repatriated to India;
• About 7,062 Indians were evacuated from Iraq by the Government in 2014;
• 3,776 Indians were evacuated from Libya by the Government during the last three years and the current year;
• About 5,000 Indians were evacuated/repatriated from Yemen in the West Asian region during ‘Operation Rahat’ in April 2015;
• The Government, in order to alleviate the difficulties faced by our nationals in South Sudan, launched ‘Operation Sankat Mochan’ on 14 – 15 July 2016 and evacuated 153 Indian nationals and 2 citizens of Nepal from South Sudan;

Besides, India assisted 1,962 foreign nationals of 48 countries in evacuation from Yemen during March-April 2015. The assistance extended by India in facilitating the return of these foreign nationals received deep appreciation and acknowledgement by the international community and foreign governments.

The Government has sensitised the State Governments to inform the returnees about their resettlement programmes and financial support schemes and stands ready to work closely with the State Governments in this regard.

The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indians in foreign countries and continues to keep a close watch on developments in these countries and issues advisories whenever required. Indian Missions and Posts abroad also render all possible consular assistance to the Indian nationals, including emergency medical care, facilitating boarding and lodging for those in distress, air passages to those stranded, repatriation of mortal remains and initial legal assistance in deserving cases in conflict torn countries.