Addressing the concerns of stranded Indians around the world India’s Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan stated in a live television interview that their repatriation can be considered only from May. Chartered flights by those who can afford it will also be considered only then. Denying the possibility of mass repatriation of overseas Indians, the minister said the government can only allow repatriation of stranded Indians on a priority basis since arranging quarantining facilities for tens of thousands of Indians returning home is not practically possible.
 
Offering all possible support from the Indian government to the Gulf countries where millions of Indian expats live, the minister said the Indian missions, with the approval from the local governments, will help arrange quarantine centers other than the ones set up by the respective governments.
 
The possibility of taking over the buildings of Indian associations, schools and other institutions for this purpose is being explored, he said.
 
The missions will also assist the local governments by arranging the service of Indian healthcare workers for community work with the approval of the local health authorities, he said. Indian missions will also work with community volunteers and associations to provide food and medicines for laborers and others requiring such assistance.
 
If need arises, India is also ready to supply necessary medicines, he added.
 
More than half of the COVID 19 infected patients in Kuwait are Indians numbering 604 out of the total 1154 infected persons.
 
V. Muraleedharan added that elderly citizens, pregnant women and those requiring treatment back home will be given priority in the repatriation process, he said.
 
The Ministry of External Affairs intends to request the Civil Aviation Ministry to take the necessary steps for the repatriation services, he said.