Lok Sabha Question No. 5280 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Indians in War Torn Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MANSHANKAR NINAMA, BHARAT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5280 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## INDIANS IN WAR TORN COUNTRIES

## † 5280.  SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA: SHRI BHARAT SINGH:

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?

## ANSWER

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.

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ANNEXURE

| INDIANS INWARTORNCOUNTRIES   | INDIANS INWARTORNCOUNTRIES   | INDIANS INWARTORNCOUNTRIES                 |
|------------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Sl. No.                      | Name of country              | Number of Indians residing (approximately) |
| 1                            | Afghanistan                  | 3,000                                      |
| 2                            | Iraq                         | 11,000                                     |
| 3                            | Lebanon                      | 8,000                                      |
| 4                            | Libya                        | 1,500                                      |
| 5                            | Syria                        | 84                                         |
| 6                            | Yemen (Republic of)          | 500                                        |
|                              | Total                        | 24,084                                     |

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