India to expand Vande Bharat Mission to evacuate more Indians from abroad

India is planning to bring back home its one lakh stranded nationals from 60 countries under second phase of Vande Bharat mission, officials said on Tuesday.

second phase of mission was to end on May 22. However, government extended it till June 13.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting on Tuesday with all ncies and ministries involved in mega evacuation exercise.

In a series of tweets, he said focus of meeting was to ramp up scale of Vande Bharat Mission and enhance its efficiency.

target will be to bring back one lakh passengers from 60 countries in second phase, he said, adding government is increasing entry points as well as expanding feeder flights to various destinations in India.

second phase of evacuation mission began on May 17.

minister said Indians are also returning home through land borders starting Tuesday.

He said arrangements are being made for amnesty beneficiaries in Gulf region and that Naval evacuation of Indian fishermen in Iran will happen in June.

Jaishankar also said that Air India will shortly shift to direct ticketing to facilitate bookings abroad.

In first phase of mission from May 7 to 15, government evacuated around 15,000 people from 12 countries.

As per government's policy for evacuation, Indians having "compelling reasons" to return like pregnant women, elderly people, students and those facing prospect of deportation are being brought back home.