Iraq crisis: Sushma Swaraj chairs meeting of Gulf envoys

New Delhi, June 29: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today chaired a meeting of India's top envoys from Gulf countries to discuss the situation in conflict-hit Iraq where the Indian government is in the process of facilitating departure of nearly 10,000 of its nationals from non-conflict zones.

Apart from the Indian envoys, the Ambassadors of Gulf countries posted in India also attended the meeting. It was aimed at chalking out a future strategy for the safety and evacuation of Indian nationals in Iraq.

The meeting also reviewed the steps taken so far in this regard. India has set up three camp offices to facilitate departure of 10,000 Indians from non-conflict zones.

Giving the details of the camp offices, the Spokesperson in MEA had said yesterday that the officers in these camps will go to the place of work of Indians and facilitate their departure if they want so.

Besides, providing travel documents, the ministry will also provide free air tickets, in case they cannot afford them. He had said that the ministry was "knocking on every door" to get whatever help was possible for the safety of Indian nationals and asserted that all national assets were in readiness should there be a need.

Iraq is witnessing serious strife with Sunni militants, backed by al Qaida, capturing two key cities and marching towards Baghdad. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been displaced in the fighting that broke out on June 10.

PTI