New Delhi (NVI): After airlifting its 640 nationals from coronavirus-hit China, India today said it will consider a request, if made, to evacuate Pakistani students from Wuhan.
“No such request has been received by us from the Government of Pakistan. But if such a situation arises and keeping in mind the resources available, we can look into it,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said during a media briefing here.
He was responding when asked whether India will consider Pakistani students’ appeal for evacuation from Wuhan.
Kumar said the government of India had evacuated 640 Indian nationals and 7 Maldives nationals on two special flights.
“These Indian nationals belong to Wuhan and nearby areas and who did not show any symptoms of illness. It was a complex operation and we thank the Government of China for their support and facilitation during this exercise,” the MEA spokesperson said.
He added that the matter regarding the safety of Indians in China amid the coronavirus outbreak is reviewed on a regular basis at a high level.
“Ministry of External Affairs in coordination with other Ministries and institutions of Government of India undertook comprehensive and precipitous steps following nCoronavirus outbreak in China,” he said.
Citing regular advisories issued by the Government on the issue, Kumar said Indian nationals have been advised to refrain from travelling to China.
“People travelling to China henceforth will be quarantined on return. Separately, travel to India from China on e-Visa have been temporarily suspended. This applies to the holders of Chinese passports and applicants of other nationalities residing in the mainland of the People’s Republic of China,” he said.
“We have also clarified that holders of already issued e-Visa are no longer valid. It is further clarified that existing normal visas are no longer valid. Those who have a compelling reason to visit India may contact our Embassy or our Consulates. The Visa section of our Embassy/Consulates may be contacted for any clarification,” Kumar said while reiterating the travel measures taken by the Government amid the deadly epidemic that has claimed more than 500 lives so far.
In response to query on India’s reaction on reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the Pakistan-Malaysia Joint Statement, Kumar said, “India completely rejects the references made in respect of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India. We once again call upon the Malaysian leadership to develop better understanding of the facts, including that Pakistan remains an epicentre of global terrorism, which continues to recruit, train, arm and finance cross-border terrorism against India.”
