WORLD
Government on Monday assured the Rajya Sabha that it will "leave no stone unturned" for the safe return of Indian nationals in captivity in Iraq who are "alive and well", and said its focus is now on bringing back Indians from strife-torn Libya which it said is no longer safe.
Replying to a Calling Attention motion in Rajya Sabha on the plight of stranded workers from India in Iraq, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the government proposed to bring a comprehensive Immigration Bill in Parliament.
"The safety and security of Indian nationals, especially 41 Indian nationals in captivity in Mosul, is a matter of foremost concern and pre-occupation for us. We are leaving no stone unturned for their safe return," she said, adding, "I have knocked at all doors which can help bring Indians back. I am waiting like a mother waits for her children to return." "We are are persuading all Indians working there to come back. If you want someone to come back from Iraq or Libya, I assure the House that I will provide them passports and air tickets," she said.
Talking about the 41 Indians held captive in Iraq, she said government had no direct contact with them but "we have come to know from our sources that they are alive and well".
She said the number of people to be brought back from Iraq has reduced considerably after 4,900 Indians have already returned. The government provided air tickets and travel assistance to 3,938 of them.
On Libya, Swaraj said it "is of concern to us. You be rest assured, our priority is to get back all Indians stranded there," and assured that cost will not be a deterrent. She said government is exploring all options in bringing back Indians from there, either through the Tunisia border or through Malta after being ferried from Benghazi.
She said that even though US, UK, France and China had shut their embassies in Tripoli, the Indian Embassy was working there round-the-clock and had deployed 70 coordinators for helping Indians return safely.
Noting that the government remains "deeply concerned" over the ongoing conflict and deteriorating security scenario in Iraq resulting out of sudden attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), she assured the House "it would remain the earnest endeavour of our government to assist every Indian citizen currently in Iraq and ensure their safe return."
Replying to clarifications sought by members on Iraq situation, she said, "The safety and security of Indian nationals, especially 41 Indian nationals in captivity in Mosul, is a matter of foremost concern and pre-occupation for us. We are leaving no stone unturned for their safe return." The Calling Attention motion was moved by KC Tyagi (JD-U) and many members spoke on the issue expressing concern over Indians stranded in Iraq and Libya.
Swaraj said INS-Mysore had been sent to Iraq to assist in evacuation process most of which has been carried out through air planes and the battleship has been brought back. She said there were a total of 22,000 Indians in Iraq, of which 15,000 were in Kurdistan, who were fully safe.
Dismissing reports that a Malayali trader had arranged for the return of Kerala nurses from Iraq, she said if indeed such a person existed he should come forward and help in securing the release of 41 held captive from Punjab. "I assure you, I will get him a Padma Shri," she said.
Reading out her reply amid noisy scenes in the House over the UPSC row, she said government fully shares the concerns of members regarding the recent developments in Iraq and safety and security of Indian nationals stranded there.
"The Government of India has been regularly and closely monitoring the security situation in Iraq. Since the onset of crisis in Iraq, we have regularly issued travel advisories for our nationals, including on June 15, 24 and 28.
"Indian nationals have been advised to avoid all travel to Iraq, until further notification and a ban has been imposed by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs on emigration to Iraq by ECR category travelers effective June 19 this year," she said.
DNA TV Show: How US Presidential election results may impact the world
Sharda Sinha dies at 72: Who are there in her family?
Who was Sharda Sinha aka Bihar Kokila, famous for Chhath and Maine Pyar Kiya songs?
Bihar Kokila Sharda Sinha passes away in AIIMS, son Anshuman confirms news
Parliament's winter session to begin from Nov 25, to continue till Dec 20
IPL 2025 mega auction dates announced: Check no. of players, venue, where to watch and more
Deepinder Goyal reveals customers' reaction to wife Grecia Munoz delivering Zomato orders
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy flirts with Sudha Murty in viral video from Kapil Sharma show
Ajay Devgn's fans don't want Singham Again to become a blockbuster: 'Rohit Shetty jab tak hai...'
Types, Most Popular and Where to Buy Peptides for Bodybuilding
Luxury in the City of Light: SABO Boutique Hotel Brings Elegance to Varanasi’s Sacred Ghats
Virat Kohli, Babar Azam could play for same team as Afro-Asia Cup set for revival
Shaping the Future of Web Apps: Full Stack Developer’s Expertise in API Design and Cloud Deployment
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Software Performance and Security
Mastering Linux for Superior Sound
Amid divorce rumours of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, Aaradhya praises mother in viral video
AI in Data Warehousing: Future Trends and Innovations
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio IPO worth Rs 840960 crore in 2025: All you need to know
After India's 0-3 loss against New Zealand, Shah Rukh Khan calls Gautam Gambhir...
BIG revelation on Imane Khelif, Olympic gold medallist boxer's medical repot leaked, it confirms…
Meet man who built Rs 152000 crore company, donated Rs 100 crore, now set to lead US firm as...
Visa Uncertainty: Impact of US polls on global talent
Virat Kohli turns 36: IPL franchises send heartwarming birthday wishes to legendary India cricketer
Meet Sanjay Verma, the new DGP of Maharashtra who replaced Rashmi Shukla
Anushka Sharma shares FIRST photo of Akaay, Vamika to celebrate Virat Kohli’s birthday
CAT 2024 admit card to be out today at iimcat.ac.in; know release time, steps to download
Vikas Divyakirti UPSC Tips: Check strategy to crack IAS exam, aspirants should study for...
Video of Pakistani man putting hand into chained tiger's mouth goes viral, social media reacts
Shalini Passi reveals her husband's connection to Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan, they were..
SC upholds validity of UP madrassa law, says it does not violate principle of secularism
US Presidential Elections 2024: What time do the polls close; when will the results be known?
Elon Musk shares controversial post on X amid US election results, video goes viral
Mukesh Ambani's company earned Rs 15393 crore last week, his net worth now stands at...
Chhath Puja 2024: Know about Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, Usha Arghya, date, timings and puja vidhi
Virat Kohli Birthday: Legendary batter turns 36, here's a look at his incredible milestones
When Ratan Tata met his first true love after 50 years, went for dinner together, know who she was
Samantha Ruth Prabhu hits back at trolls who body-shamed her: 'If you guys...'
Two fall prey to Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani's deepfake videos, lose Rs 80 lakh: Report
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward sea ahead of US election
Deepika Padukone romances Hrithik Roshan in Bikini, looks sizzling hot in UNSEEN viral video
Chhath Puja 2024: Top 50 wishes, What'sApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
Meet Caroline Emmons, Ratan Tata's 'first love' with whom he couldn't marry due to...
Who is Rohan Jaitley, frontrunner to replace Jay Shah as BCCI secretary?
World’s most expensive human tooth is valued over Rs 3000000, it belonged to…
Viral video: Little girl’s adorable dance to Lisa Haydon’s 'Manali Trance' impresses internet, watch
SC to deliver its verdict on pleas against Allahabad HC order scrapping UP madrasa law today
DNA TV Show: Why Election Commission changed Assembly by-elections' dates
Days after imposing fine on Anil Ambani, Sebi now issues Rs 130 crore demand notices to...
Thailand announces indefinite visa-free entry for Indian travellers
Meet daughter of billionaire, who studied in UK, now works in Rs 32770 crore Indian company as...
MUDA case: Lokayukta police summon Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for questioning on...
This city is 4000 years old, belongs to bronze age where 500 people lived, it is located in...