New Delhi, May 04: India Tuesday lifted the ban on grant of emigration clearance for Indians wishing to travel to Iraq but cautioned that people should take care of their security while working or visiting the oil-rich country.
“The government has decided, in order to facilitate travel by Indian nationals to Iraq on work and/or for visits, not to extend the ban on the grant of emigration clearance, which had been issued under Section 31(1) of the Emigration Act, 1983,” an official advisory said.
Under the act, certain categories of skilled and semi-skilled workers are expected to get clearance from the Protestor of Immigrants before taking up jobs abroad.
The advisory added: “At the same time, Indian nationals are advised to exercise due care and caution about their personal safety and security when working in or visiting Iraq.”
India had warned its citizens not to travel to Iraq after the US invasion in 2003.
According to one estimate, more than 80,000 Indians are living in Iraq despite an earlier government advisory against travel to the country that has been in turmoil since Saddam Hussein was ousted.
–Agencies