Lok Sabha Question No. 559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-20
Subject: Indians Trapped Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dayakar Pasunoori, Geetha Viswanath Vanga, Reddeppa Nallakonda Gari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.559 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.11.2019

## INDIANS TRAPPED ABROAD

559. SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR: SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH: SHRI N. REDDEPPA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   has   any   details   of Indians who   are/were trapped/held captive in Iraq, Libya and other countries and if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether the Government has provided any financial assistance to such stranded persons in each country and if so, the details of the help desks opened and treatment meted out to such trapped persons abroad and the steps being taken to safely evacuate them; and
- (c) the   number   of Indians who   have   returned   to   the   country   and   the   number of Indians who are still trapped in Iraq, Libya and other foreign countries?

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

(a) As per available information, 77 Indians have been trapped/ held captive in various countries during the last three years and the current year.  Country-wise list is given at Annexure.

(b)           The safety and security of Indian nationals in foreign countries is a matter of foremost concern for the Government of India. The Government keeps a close watch on the situation in strife-torn countries, issues advisories wherever required and engages with the   local   authorities   regularly   to   prevent   incidents   of   hostage/   kidnapping,   while simultaneously making every effort to secure the release of those in captivity.

Ministry/ concerned Indian Mission/ Post abroad also provides timely information to their family members. Financial support to such stranded Indians is made available by Indian Missions/ Posts abroad in deserving cases on a means tested basis under the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

(c) As per information available in the Ministry, 73 out of 77 Indians have returned to India, 1 died during captivity and 3 Indians are still in captivity. Government of India is proactively pursuing the cases of the remaining 3 Indians for their early return to India.

| Annexure                                                        | Annexure                                                        | Annexure                                                        |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| LAFAQ 559 Indians trapped abroad (To be answered on 20.11.2019) | LAFAQ 559 Indians trapped abroad (To be answered on 20.11.2019) | LAFAQ 559 Indians trapped abroad (To be answered on 20.11.2019) |
| S No                                                            | Name of Country                                                 | No. of indians trapped/held captive in foreign countries        |
| 1                                                               | Afghanistan                                                     | 10                                                              |
| 2                                                               | Cuba                                                            | 2                                                               |
| 3                                                               | Iraq                                                            | 1                                                               |

| 4     | Kenya        |   10 |
|-------|--------------|------|
| 5     | Myanmar      |    5 |
| 6     | Nigeria      |   43 |
| 7     | Serbia       |    1 |
| 8     | South Africa |    3 |
| 9     | South Sudan  |    2 |
| Total | Total        |   77 |

***