The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, today said that India has told the countries of Gulf and West Asia, some of whom have witnessed an upheaval in the recent past, that it has a stake in the peace and stability of this region and asked them to appropriately look after the interests of its citizens in these countries.
Addressing the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here, Dr Singh said India was “acutely conscious” of the safety and security of Indians living abroad, particularly in regions characterised by instability.
Noting that over six million Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia, Dr Singh said India has to be alert to the unfolding developments in this part of the world.
“We have conveyed to the countries of the region that we have a stake in the peace and stability of this region, and that we expect that they would appropriately look after the interests of Indian communities in their countries,” he told over 1,900 delegates from 60 countries across the globe.
Popular revolutions
Dr Singh was referring to instability in the region in 2011 which witnessed popular revolutions against the leadership of several countries like Egypt and Libya.
The Prime Minister referred to the Operation Safe Homecoming undertook by it last year to evacuate more than 16,000 people from the strife torn areas in Libya through special flights, passenger and naval vessels.
“We stand ready to extend such help elsewhere should the need arise,” Dr Singh assured Indians living in Gulf and West Asia.
Inter-ministerial committee
The Prime Minister also said the Government had last year constituted an inter-Ministerial Committee under the Cabinet Secretary to make recommendations on issues relating to repatriation, relief and rehabilitation of Indian nationals affected by recent developments in West Asia.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has prepared an Action Plan to implement its recommendations, he said.