IUML MPs meet external affairs minister and seek safety measures for Indians in Gulf

Kozhikode: IUML MPs met external affairs minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum demanding steps to ensure safety of Indian citizens in the Gulf region. They also urged Union govt to make urgent diplomatic intervention in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.The memorandum was submitted by E T Mohammed Basheer, M P Abdussamad Samadani, P V Abdul Wahab and Harris Beeran. They pointed out that the current situation was adversely affecting the Gulf countries, where many Indian expatriates live. The MPs noted that the US–Israel–Iran conflict has intensified significantly. Reports indicate that large-scale airstrikes have been carried out on strategic targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities, military bases and oil infrastructure. They also expressed concern about the safety of nearly one crore Indian citizens living in the Gulf region. Due to the conflict, Indian workers and students there are facing uncertainty. They also noted that restrictions on air traffic at major airports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have created difficulties, and there were reports that some Indian citizens were stranded in Iran. "India traditionally follows the principles of peaceful coexistence and dialogue-based conflict resolution, based on its long-standing foreign policy of the non-aligned movement and the Panchsheel principles," they said and urged the Union govt to take urgent steps to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in the conflict-affected regions and, if necessary, evacuate them from war zones. They also called for strong diplomatic intervention by India to restore peace and stability.