Question : Safety and Security of NRIs and PIOs

(a) the total number of Indian NRIs and PIOs living in foreign countries between 31st January, 2020 to 18th March, 2020 and January 2021 to March 2021;

(b) the total number of Indians returning from abroad including NRIs, PIOs as well as those Indian citizens visiting on tourist visas during the said period, country-wise;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to impose 15 day Mandatory quarantine period for all international passengers visiting India particularly from China, Europe, USA and Canada; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure safety and security of the Indians living in China, Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Dubai, Middle East, European and South American countries, USA and Canada?

Answer given by the minister

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

(a) Total number of NRIs and PIOs is estimated at 1.35 crore and 1.87 crore respectively.

(b) The details of the Indian data sought are as given below;



(i)
Total number of Indians arrived from abroad during the period from 31.01.2020 to 18.03.2020.
27, 10,318
(ii)
The number of Indians arrived from abroad during the period from 01.01.2021 to 31.03.2021.
20, 39,464
(iii)
Number of	Indians	departed	abroad	for
tourism purpose for the period from 31.01.2020 to 18.03.2020
5, 36,038
(iv)
Number of	Indians	departed	abroad	for
tourism purpose for the period from 01.01.2021 to 31.03.2021
3, 93,374

Details of Indian citizens travelling abroad on tourist visa during the said period is placed at annexure-1.

(c) & (d) The guidelines for International Arrivals are decided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare keeping in view health protocols, the pandemic situation and international practices. These guidelines are regularly updated with a view to responding to the evolving pandemic situation. The present guidelines were issued on 30 November 2021 keeping the Omicron variant in view.

(e) The Government accords the highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian citizens abroad. Our Missions and Posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor and actively follow up any grievances and complaints of Indians with the authorities concerned in foreign countries. The on-line MADAD portal also enables all Indian nationals and their family members to register their consular grievances on-line and track their redressal. In order to provide the required support services to persons desirous of going abroad for employment purposes, the Ministry of External Affairs, has setup Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayta Kendras (PBSK) in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Through PBSK, Indian expatriates can seek required guidance/assistance on issues of concerns/problem areas. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Indian Missions and Posts have assisted more than 1.66 Lakh Indians with funds from the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

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Answer given by the minister

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