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HomeDefenceModi govt plans massive evacuation of Indians stranded in Gulf countries after 3 May

Modi govt plans massive evacuation of Indians stranded in Gulf countries after 3 May

The evacuation, which is still in the planning stage, will include a deployment of Navy and Air Force assets.

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New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government is planning a massive evacuation operation of Indians stranded in Gulf countries, involving the Navy, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Air India, after 3 May, ThePrint has learnt.

Sources said that the operation is still in its planning stage, and no formal decisions have been taken. However, the evacuation will take place only after 3 May, when the nationwide lockdown is scheduled to end.

The major logistical issues is not just the evacuation of Indians abroad but also the subsequent quarantine process that must be followed.

Sources said defence forces as well as central armed police forces and state governments concerned are being roped in to plan for the operation.

They indicated that the evacuation could be carried out in a phased manner.

Indian embassies in the countries concerned have already started making a list of the stranded Indians, who include several thousands of those who lost their jobs or whose work permits have run out.

https://twitter.com/IndEmbDoha/status/1254482369555378182?s=20


Also read: Not possible to evacuate Indians from overseas amid lockdown: Centre to Madras High Court


Navy gets ready

Sources further said that the Navy is already preparing for the operation in case they are called in to assist.

Accordingly, three of the Navy’s largest warships — INS Jalashwa, a landing platform dock, and at least two tank-landing ships — are being readied.

The preparation includes stripping the ship of weaponry and non-required equipment so that more people can be accommodated on it.

Sources said if need be, the IAF’s transport aircraft fleet of C17s and C130 J will also be deployed. 

India had carried out one of the biggest evacuations ever in history when it brought back 1.7 lakh citizens in 1990 after Iraq went to war with Kuwait.

In 2015, India evacuated over 5,500 people, including 4,700 citizens from Yemen, after Saudi Arabia launched air strikes against Iranian-allied Houthi rebels. 


Also read: Indian Navy designs air pod for safe evacuation of Covid-19 patients from remote locations


 

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Yes but what about Quarantine. Government should build permanent Quarnitine in Andamans, Lakshdweep or any other sparsely populated island. People can be kept there for 14 days and followed up with another 14 days self quarantine at home. It seems that this will continue for 12 months if not more.

  2. I see absolutely no point in this. The reason is, wherever they presently are, they have been there for last month or two, so they are set in a slot or a groove in the surrounding eco system, with masking and physical distancing, daily logistics, everything in place.
    When vast numbers of them are uprooted and brought to India, and tried to be fitted into new slots, taking care of physical distancing and logistic daily need requirements, a sudden upheaval may take place which may upset the current local balance which is already precarious, with congestions and shortages of health and other facilities.
    I think they should stay put wherever they are, lie low for this tough time. This way they will also be able to resume their normal routines as soon as the situation eases.

  3. Logistics is the easy part. The longer term impact will be economic as so many guest workers return home to an economy facing the highest level of unemployment since the Great Depression. The mood in the region, which is hurting from lower oil prices, is also turning a little hostile.

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