India Facilitates Evacuation of 28,000 Foreigners from 43 Nations

NEW DELHI: India in a mammoth exercise has facilitated evacuation of around 28,000 foreigners from 43 nations from mid-March till April 11 amid lockdown to contain spread of Covid-19.

In recent weeks around 1200 Americans, 1,400 Canadians, thousands of Europeans from big and small states from across the continent, over 3,000 Japanese and 2,000 Brits were evacuated from various parts of India through chartered and special flights organised by respective countries besides the Indian government, ET has reliably learnt.

Nationals from Gulf, Eurasia and neighbours (Afghanistan-Maldives-Nepal-Bhutan-Bangladesh) have also been evacuated through special flights, according to diplomatic sources. The challenge is to evacuate foreigners particularly tourists stranded miles away from big cities, a source quipped.

From SE Asia while around 700 Singaporeans were evacuated, another 3,000 Malaysians returned back from various Indian cities in North and South. Besides over 400 Australians were evacuated over the weekend from India.

“Supported the repatriation of 444 people who just took off on charter flight JT2846 from Delhi for Melbourne. The flight was organised by a group of Australians led by Simon Quinn,” a social media message from the High Commission of Australia informed. Apart from 430 Australians, the flight carried 14 citizens of New Zealand. Around 6,000 Australian citizens have registered with the diplomatic mission in India for support during lockdown.

Meanwhile as part of Covid diplomacy India is exporting HCQ to US, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Bahrain, Oman Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Seychelles, Mauritius, Dominican Republic, Israel, Canada, UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In the neighbourhood and some African states HCQ will be exported on a grant basis.

“I want to thank Prime Minister Modi of India for allowing us to have what we requested from before the problem arose. And he was — he was terrific. We’ll remember it,” remarked the US President.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending raw material for producing HCQ. Meanwhile Abdulla Shahid, Maldives Foreign Minister tweeted, “Thank you government of India, for approving Maldives’ request for Hydroxychloroquine, which is being called a game changer in the fight against #Covid19. A friend in need is truly a friend indeed!”.

As many 24/26 drugs have been removed from restricted list. Only HCQ and paracetamol are in restricted list. India has cleared consignments of paracetamol for South Africa.

Source: ET

Image Courtesy: DNA India