PM Modi ensures well being of Indian diaspora in Gulf through telephonic diplomacy
By Team Newsable | First Published Apr 10, 2020, 5:24 PM IST"In such times, PM Modi has personally taken it on to himself to assuage the people’s concerns in Gulf countries," said a note circulated by the ministry of external affairs on Friday
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reaching out to the Indian diaspora amid the coronavirus outbreak and initiating telephone diplomacy to ensure the well-being of fellow countrymen in the Gulf.
A major chunk of the Indian diaspora is concentrated in the Gulf and hence the PM has been actively engaging leaders of this region.
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"The PM personally requested the world leaders to ensure the wellness of the Indian community there, and each of these leaders gave strong assurance to PM Modi that the Indian diaspora will be well taken care of in these tough times," according to a note circulated by the ministry of external affairs on Friday.
In the last few weeks Modi has been having consultations with leaders of several Gulf nations.
Even before the nationwide lockdown was enforced on March 25, the Prime Minister dialled Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on March 17 and discussed the emerging situation.
Indians are the largest migrant group in the United Arab Emirates (3.3 million), accounting for a third of its 9 million expats.
Modi also spoke with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on March 26, and sought all steps to redress the grievances of the Indian community at the time of crisis.
The PM also discussed with the King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa on April 6, Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on April 1, Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al Thani on March 26.
The persisting lockdown scenarios, travel restrictions and rising COVID-19 threat are a natural cause of panic among the families of the Indian expats abroad, the note said.
The PM had also interacted with Indian Ambassadors in Iran and UAE, where too he had stressed that the overseas Indians in the Gulf should be well taken care of, the note added.
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