Question : Indians Trapped Abroad

(a) whether the Government has any details of Indians who are/were trapped/held captive in Iraq, Libya and other countries and if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year;

(b) whether the Government has provided any financial assistance to such stranded persons in each country and if so, the details of the help desks opened and treatment meted out to such trapped persons abroad and the steps being taken to safely evacuate them; and

(c) the number of Indians who have returned to the country and the number of Indians who are still trapped in Iraq, Libya and other foreign countries?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) As per available information, 77 Indians have been trapped/ held captive in various countries during the last three years and the current year. Country-wise list is given at Annexure.

(b) The safety and security of Indian nationals in foreign countries is a matter of foremost concern for the Government of India. The Government keeps a close watch on the situation in strife-torn countries, issues advisories wherever required and engages with the local authorities regularly to prevent incidents of hostage/ kidnapping, while simultaneously making every effort to secure the release of those in captivity.

Ministry/ concerned Indian Mission/ Post abroad also provides timely information to their family members. Financial support to such stranded Indians is made available by Indian Missions/ Posts abroad in deserving cases on a means tested basis under the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

(c) As per information available in the Ministry, 73 out of 77 Indians have returned to India, 1 died during captivity and 3 Indians are still in captivity. Government of India is pro-actively pursuing the cases of the remaining 3 Indians for their early return to India.

<pre>
Annexure
LAFAQ 559 Indians trapped abroad (To be answered on 20.11.2019)
S
No
Name of Country
No. of indians trapped/held captive in foreign countries
1
Afghanistan
10
2
Cuba
2
3
Iraq
1
4
Kenya
10
5
Myanmar
5
6
Nigeria
43
7
Serbia
1
8
South Africa
3
9
South Sudan
2
Total
77
</pre>
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