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UAE has offered to fly stranded Indians: Ambassador

  •   Sun, Apr 12 2020 02:08:57 PM

Abu Dhabi, Apr 12 (IANS): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered to fly stranded Indians who wish to be repatriated if they test negative for COVID-19, the country's Ambassador to India Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Banna said.

Speaking to the Gulf News on Saturday, the envoy said the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) had sent out a "note verbale" in this regard to the embassies of all the countries in the UAE during the past couple of weeks.

"We have sent the note verbale and all the embassies have been informed including the Indian embassy in the UAE and even the Ministry of External Affairs in India," Al Banna said.

According to him, the UAE has offered to test those who want to be evacuated.

The envoy told the Gulf News that those who test positive for COVID-19 will however, remain in the UAE.

"They will be treated in our home facilities."

Speaking on the same issue, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor also told the Gulf News on Saturday that India was trying to protect the health of its overseas citizens and their families by not evacuating them during the lockdown.

"At this stage, we feel that it is best for them (Indians wishing to return home) to stay where they are (since) there is a complete lockdown in India," he told the newspaper in an exclusive interview over phone.

"It is totally wrong to say that we are abandoning our citizens. Once the lockdown in India is lifted, we will certainly help them get back to their home towns and their families," he said.

The envoy said the Indian missions in the UAE were awaiting instructions from their government on when the travel restrictions can be lifted.

"Once we open it (passenger flight service), it (repatriation) has to be done in a phased manner. At this stage we can't even think of opening it," he told Gulf News.

Kapoor also confirmed that there has been not a single case of COVID-19 detected among Indian workers living in labour accommodation complexes so far.

"We have checked in different camps and we have not been told of any case in labour camps so far," he said.

 
  

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Comment on this article

  • Shilpa, Mangalore

    Mon, Apr 13 2020

    Modi wants to bring citizens of other countries & give citizenship. But why is he refusing to bring Indians from other countries & give proper treatment?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aubb, Kuwait / India.

    Mon, Apr 13 2020

    Shilpa,

    Sad to say, India doesn't have clear cut policies when it comes to foreign relationship, handing NRI issues in the best way.

    Example, way back in 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait, an Indian minister by the name of I. K. Gujral landed in kuwait, and called upon Indian nationals to cooperate with the Iraqi regime, which dismayed the Kuwaiti govt., when it took back the country in 1990.

    Further, India, a closest ally of Kuwait since decades, (my father had landed here in the 1950's) didn't even send troops for the liberation of Kuwait, led by the US allied forces, giving the excuse of "losing its contracts in Iraq".

    What is happening in Iraq, is everyone's knowledge.

    Countries supported Kuwait where favored with huge contracts, job offers and aid and so on.

    India finds it too difficult to adopt to international mind set (even in the times of crisis.)

    Clapping hands, lighting lamps, without clear cut direction will make things worse back home.

    Should the Indian side remain stubborn, NRIs from GCC, new job seekers from India will not be welcome here in GCC, and you can imagine the plight of millions who are jobless in India already.

    Jai Hind!!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aubb, kuwait / India.

    Mon, Apr 13 2020

    The envoy had clearly told the Gulf News ""that those who test positive for COVID-19 will however, remain in the UAE."""

    In spite of the above I am surprised how our fellow Indians are spitting venom towards NRIs at this juncture.

    NRIs are only welcome to send hard earned foreign exchange and help India grow economically.

    India will lose Billions of NRI dollars from this time onward.

    By the way, UAE has clearly warned that countries who refuse to take back their citizens will be forced to follow strict labor quotas to their country, which will adversely affect Indian labor market in the days ahead.

    Indians living in India, as well those who wish to go to Middle East will be left without jobs in India as millions of jobs are lost back home already.

    India's economic growth for next year will be less than 2 percent with great difficulty.

    Clapping hands, lighting lamps, will not help Indians protect themselves even against small flies in the air.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • AD, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    All Indians are welcome back to India. India should test and quarantine on their arrival. Hotels near airport should be taken ovee for this purpose. Only when they are 100% cleared they should be transported to their houses.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aubb, Kuwait / India.

    Mon, Apr 13 2020

    AD,

    Exactly,
    NRis are Indian citizens too.

    Jai Hind!!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ajay Rebello, Kallianpur

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    How difficult is it to arrange quarantine facilities, thousands of hotels are laying empty. NRI's from gulf have contributed immensely for development of India, now in their time of need surely govt can help them. Where there is a will there is a way.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anand, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    So much of publicity to bring few people from China, Iran , Afghan. and no hopes for those who are stuck in cruises and in other countries. Though there is lock down , few flights they can operate to bring them back. The number is huge. When everything was fine, they were revenue generating people, now they cannot be ignored!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prem, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Strictly no entry at this juncture
    No loopholes entertained
    Lockdown is complete, no exceptions
    No bending rules at any cost

    DisAgree [30] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nayan, Udupi

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Suppose there are not a single case of Covid 19 in Dubai and every thing was fine there, had they still want to come to India?

    DisAgree [22] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen, Dubai

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Its disheartening when we read some comments and messages from our own native people about NRI's. DK and Udupi basically what it is because of the Gulf money and because of the NRI's at large.

    If you see from Gulf from January to March 2020 each day around 500 for 3 months its Appx 15000 people traveled to native. How many infected cases around 10 to 100?. But whole lot is blamed, No NRI wants to infect any one intentionally. There is a high chance they may be got infected in the airports or the taxis in the native. Here govt told for those who wish to return who are on visit visas, those who dont have jobs etc., at the moment its not possible because of airports closed. Here authorities take at most care of all nationalities.

    Ofcourse if any one come from outside should be quarantined asp the countries rule.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan Rodrigues, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Mr PM Of India
    Please don't open the airports for domestic or for international flights.

    Our My country will be in BIG BIG PROBLEM.

    Mr. CM Of Karnataka Please put objections on opening airports.

    DisAgree [58] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilson, Mangaluru

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    There are many people in UAE who have lost their jobs, or were on visit visas and have not found jobs and want to return back to india. Please understand that they do not have income to sustain themselves, and in some cases, do not have accommodation to stay. These unfortunate people want to return back to India. If Indian government does not want them to return for a few weeks, they must make suitable arrangements for them so that they can have basic necessities such as accommodation and food. Thats a must.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Pinto, MANGALORE

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    If they r unable to fly the government there can take care of their basic needs... Even if they enter the country they should be kept in strict quarantine or in isolation...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalorean, Mangalore / KSA

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Many people who traveled from UAE / gulf (case in point Kasargod) got the virus but if you look at the cases in UAE / Gulf in early March it was very negligible among expats! Question is from where they got the virus. My guess is in the departure airport or in the flight. And Thank God that KSA closed the flights in early March.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalorean, Mangalore / KSA

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Thanks but no thanks!
    Everyone should stay where they are till the situation improves drastically. Till then don't travel. It may be difficult for many but we have to go through it.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Save my India, India.

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Right decision and the right time.

    Hope Indian govt. will arrange quarantine, and also travel facilities for arriving Indians to their respective destinations, as local transport has come to an halt too.


    Jai Hind!!!

    DisAgree [16] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilson castelino, Shirva

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Those who will and abide with home quaratain ia most welcome in India.

    DisAgree [22] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rahul, BAJPE

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Indian embassies in the gulf should take care of their citizens welfare

    DisAgree [6] Agree [44] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nelson D'Souza, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Why are they still sending more corona to our country?

    DisAgree [113] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mr Kamath, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Because they belong to India they are Indians

    DisAgree [11] Agree [111] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prarthana, Dubai

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Because it is our country too, we have every right to come back to our country.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [94] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stany lobo, Kulshekar

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Yes you are, but after 3 months with valid covoid certificate . Also, pls understand we are 150 cr population and we have to take care of every one who is leaviing here. Pls understand !

    DisAgree [13] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed K. C., Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    They won't be sending any corona infected patients to India. They will conduct tests on each person before travel. Only healthy persons will be cleared to fly. Corona infected will be treated there only.
    It's very expensive to be there without a job and salary.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [86] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santosh, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Actually they are not sending, but whomever willing to go back, they will assist them. Especially elder and pregnant women for treatment, and stranded visitors who don't have place to stay or running out of cash. But considering the situation, Indian airports are not yet permitted to receive. Since this is war kind of situation, everyone has to adjust. Stay safe!

    DisAgree [6] Agree [44] Reply Report Abuse

  • Irfan, Udupi

    Sun, Apr 12 2020

    Please open your eyes, Those who are working in Gulf Countries sacrificing their life and happiness to feed their family back home. Dont hurt them if you cant say atleast good words. Please be note that those who are in Gulf countries All are not infected and No one wants to have infected and spread this virus to any one. This virus doesnot care about religion, caste, rich or poor.

    Show humanity on this difficult time.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [87] Reply Report Abuse

  • ashraf, Mangalore

    Mon, Apr 13 2020

    Mr Nelson,
    If any of your family members would have been abroad, you would have never said such statements.
    first, try to be a good human.
    they are coming back to their country, not to your home. and moreover, India is getting huge revenue from expats. and if the government doesn't help them at this crucial time, it is awful.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse


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