Published 11:23 IST, March 2nd 2020
Coronavirus: Jaishankar asserts 'Collaborating with Iran' to evacuate stranded Indians
On February 27, the Indian Embassy had said that it has been receiving queries from the Indian nationals residing in Iran and their relatives back home.
Advertisement
Amid Coronavirus outbreak in Iran, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi was collaborating with Tehran to set up a screening process for evacuation of Indian citizens stuck in country. With most deaths outside China, Iran has officially reported 54 deaths, however, experts have predicted a much higher number.
As many as 987 people have been infected from virus, country's Health Ministry said, as reported by IRNA. "Working on issue of Indians in Iran anxious to return due to Coronavirus. I have seen many tweets in this regard. We are collaborating with Iranian authorities to set up a screening process for return of Indians," tweeted Jaishankar.
Advertisement
"Am asking our Ambassador Dhamu Gaddam to keep all those concerned updated of progress. I am also tracking this personally," he said in following tweet. India on Thursday had temporarily suspended all flights from Iran, as country struggles to man spread of virus. Several political leaders have urged Jaishankar to ensure return of Indian nationals.
Earlier in day, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Jaishankar, urging him to direct Indian embassy officials in Iran to take necessary steps for evacuation of more than a hundred Indian fishermen. A similar request was made by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
Advertisement
On February 27, Indian Embassy said that it has been receiving queries from Indian nationals residing in Iran and ir relatives in India over evolving situation of coronavirus. Embassy informed that it is in touch with local authorities in Iran and closely monitoring situation. Indian envoy to Tehran, Dhamu Gaddam, has w said that authorities are working to facilitate return of citizens who wish to go back home.
Advertisement
Iran's Coronavirus outbreak
Struggling to control outbreak, World Health Organisation (WHO) has prepared to send a larger team to Iran to address issue. With 978 cases of virus reported, Iran remains at crux of deadly virus in Middle East. In an effort to control outbreak and in view of international condemnation, Hassan Rouhani's government in Iran has suspended educational institutes, schools, and universities until March 7. With speculations of a higher figure, Iran's health ministry responding to critics, it accused foreign media of spreading fake news.
Hours before being diagsed, a video of Iran's deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi from a press conference had gone viral, wherein he could be seen uneasy and heavily perspiring. virus that has w affected over 80,000 people worldwide is w spreading in parts of Europe and Middle East. First detected in Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year, coronavirus has spread to more than 45 countries across world, including India.
Advertisement
(With ANI inputs)
11:23 IST, March 2nd 2020