Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin on Sunday stated that the meeting between External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj and envoys of Gulf countries was to have an understanding on their views on Iraq and the region at large.
Briefing the media on External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj holding a meeting earlier today with ambassadors of Gulf countries on the situation in Iraq, Akbaruddin said,”The focus of the meeting was on what was the assessment of our ambassadors in the region, how they view the situation in Iraq. The meeting was also on assistance they (Gulf ambassadors) can provide to Indian nationals from their states.”
“Based on that meeting External Affairs Minister has now decided that certain parts of Indian community welfare fund will be used for assisting Indian nationals in Iraq. She has already given instructions. Indian community welfare funds have been transferred to our mission in Iraq,” he added.
“In addition after this meetings based on the inputs that she received from ambassadors in the region, the minister had a fairly detailed discussion with the ambassadors of the Gulf countries resident in Delhi. We hope to work with these countries on issues relating to rescuing our nationals out of Iraq,” he further added.
The MEA Spokesperson also briefed about the nurses stranded in the war ravaged country.
“Some shortage of funds was faced by 46 nurses in Iraq, we have provided funds for essential requirements. They remain safe and we are in touch with them,” Akbaruddin said.
On the Indian nationals who remain under captive in Iraq , he said, “They remain unharmed, they are in captivity, we have got some leads on them, we are working on the leads.” (ANI)