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New Delhi: With
popular unrest spreading in the Arab world, the Indian external
affairs ministry has set up a situation room and a 24-hour
helpline to assist Indians in the Middle Eastern and North African
regions, home to an over five million strong Indian diaspora.
"In view of the prevailing conditions in the Gulf, West Asian and
North African regions and to provide necessary facilitation to
members of Indian community, a round the clock situation room has
been set up," the external affairs ministry said here Monday.
The contact details for the situation room are: +91 11 2301 5300;
+91 11 2301 2113; +91 11 2301 4104; +91 11 2301 8179. One can
contact through fax at +91 11 2301 8158 and email - controlroom@mea.gov.in
Round-the-clock control rooms have also been set up by Indian
missions in Tripoli in Libya and Sana'a in Yemen.
The Indian government has also set up a committee to monitor the
situation in Libya and prepare plans to meet any eventuality in
wake of the unprecedented protest against the Muammar Gaddafi
regime in that country.
"The committee would comprise foreign secretary and overseas
Indian affairs secretary among others. This committee would be
planning to meet any eventuality," said Overseas Indian Affairs
Minister Vayalar Ravi.
Ravi said he is in touch with External Affairs Minister S.M.
Krishna and Defence Minister A.K. Antony and has also spoken to
the Indian ambassador in Libya about the situation there and
safety of about 18,000 Indians.
"Nothing has been decided, but the committee will monitor any
situation," he said when asked whether any evacuation plan is
being prepared.
With a popular revolt erupting in Yemen, the government has said
its 14,000 nationals living in the Arab country are safe and
issued an advisory to avoid non-essential travel to that country.
"There are around 14,000 Indians in Yemen who are reported to be
safe. The ministry and the embassy in Sana'a, are following the
developments closely," Vishnu Prakash, spokesperson of the
external affairs ministry, said.
The Indian embassy in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, has set up a
24-hour helpline (+967 711 880 938) to assist Indians. One can
also write to helpline@eoisanaa.com.
"Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to
Yemen for the present," the ministry said.
Violent public protests have erupted in Yemen, threatening to
overthrow Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in
power since 1978. Twelve people have been killed in the protests
so far.
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