Headlines
Welfare of Indian diaspora a top priority, says Sushma in Oman
Muscat, Feb 17
External Affairs Minister
Sushma Swaraj Tuesday praised the Indian community in Oman for their
hard work and said the welfare of the large Indian diaspora, especially
in the Gulf, is one of the top priorities of the Narendra Modi
government.
Sushma Swaraj, who arrived here earlier in the day on
a two-day visit, said the government, in collaboration with the state
governments, is "proactively devising ways and means to address the
concerns of our nationals living abroad".
Praising the 700,000-strong Indian community in Oman, she said they form the largest expatriate group in Oman.
"You
all are the vital organic links between India and Oman," she said
during an interaction with the Indian community in Muscat."By providing
highly skilled service at a competitive cost, our community's role has
become indispensible for the Omani economy," the minister said.
She said the government is in continuous dialogue with the Omani government on various matters concerning the Indian community.
"The
ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has undertaken a number of measures
to ensure the welfare of our community in Oman, through the institution
of Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), online information system
regarding transportation of mortal remains etc," she said.
She
said the Modi government is "committed to development with transparency
and good governance. We are striving to revive growth. The impact is
already evident in the green shoots of recovery and a positive, even
upbeat, business sentiment in the country".
She said the MOIA
ministry has introduced an online information system regarding
transportation of mortal remains and the embassy also has a 24x7
helpline including a toll-free service for Indians in distress.
"An
initiative of the embassy is that no Indian visiting the embassy should
go hungry. Accordingly, the embassy provides tea/coffee and food to any
Indian claiming to be hungry even before addressing their specific
problem.
"I am very happy that the ministry is implementing the
web-based service for Indians called MEA in Aid of Diaspora in Distress
or 'MADAD' starting with select Missions including our Embassy in
Muscat," she added.
She also thanked the Omani leadership, especially Sultan Qaboos for hosting the Indian community.
"Oman
is in the forefront of GCC countries in terms of offering expatriates
not just a good quality of life but also with regard to freedom to
practice one's faith and fulfillment of other cultural rights," she
added.