Lok Sabha Question No. 4106 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Travel Advisory to Citizens
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4106 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## TRAVEL ADVISORY TO CITIZENS

## 4106. SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has recently issued a fresh travel advisory cautioning Indian   citizens   against   visiting   large   parts   of   Iraq   in   view   of   the deteriorating security situation in that country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the total number of visas issued to Indian citizens to visit Iraq during the last six months;
- (d) whether the Union Government provide adequate assistance and help to those   Indian   citizens   who   are   already   staying   there   and   those   who proceeded to Iraq before the issue of the travel advisory;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) Yes. A Travel Advisory was issued on 18 February, 2020 advising Indian citizens against visit to five provinces of Nineveh, Salahuddin, Diyala, Anbar and Kirkuk in Iraq as these remained unsafe due to the prevailing security situation. A copy of the travel advisory is enclosed.

- (c) Ministry has no information on visas issued by the Government of Iraq.

(d) & (e) Yes. Our Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulate General in Erbil extend all the necessary assistance to Indians living in various parts of Iraq.

- (f) Not applicable.

## TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS TRAVELLING TO IRAQ February 18, 2020

In the wake of the precarious situation then developing in Iraq after the ISIS terrorists had taken over large Iraqi territories, a Travel Advisory was issued on 15 June, 2014 cautioning Indian nationals to avoid all travel to Iraq, until further notification. As the local security situation improved over the time, another Travel Advisory was issued on 04 February, 2019 allowing Indian nationals to consider travelling to the   country   except   five   Provinces   as   those   remained   affected   by terrorism and violence.

A fresh Travel Advisory was issued on 08 January, 2020 due to the escalation   of   tension,   cautioning   Indian   nationals   to   avoid   all   nonessential   travel   to   and   within   Iraq,   until   further   notification,   while assuring   that   our   Embassy   in   Baghdad   and   Consulate   in   Erbil   will continue to function normally to provide all services to Indians residing in Iraq.

In modification and consolidation of the previous advisories for Indian nationals wishing to travel to Iraq, the following Travel Advisory for their intended visit to different areas in Iraq will take immediate effect:

- (i) Indian   nationals   may   now   consider   travelling   to   the   country except   to   the   five   Provinces   of   Iraq,   namely   Nineveh(Capital Mosul); Salahuddin (Capital Tikrit); Diyala (Capital Baquba); Anbar (Capital Ramadi) and Kirkuk.
- (ii) Indian nationals are advised not to travel to the above listed five Provinces in Iraq as these remain unsafe due to the prevailing security situation.
- (iii) Those Indian   nationals   wishing   to   travel   for   employment   and already having work permits and appropriate visas may return to their jobs in the safe areas in Iraq other than those listed above as unsafe areas, and inform the Embassy of India in Baghdad or Consulate General of India in Erbil prior to travelling to Iraq.
- (iv) Those Indian nationals wishing to travel for religious purposes, and having appropriate visa and return air-ticket, may also travel for   pilgrimage   to   the   holy   places   of   Najaf   and   Karbala.   They should not extend their religious pilgrimage to the neighbouring Syria and not travel by road from Iraq to Syria or vice-versa.

New Delhi February 18, 2020

***