Impossible to bring the stranded back to India now

Interview/ Vipul, Consul General of India, Dubai

Q/What is the current status of Indians stranded in the Dubai International Airport? Are they all safe?

A/There are 19 Indians stuck in the airport. They belong to different states and all are absolutely safe.

Q/How did they get stranded?

A/Some of them got stranded when they travelled from Europe at a time when India had already suspended entry of travellers from there. Others got stuck as they missed their connecting flights before India stopped entry of flights from abroad.

Q/What are the facilities that the consulate is providing them?

A/Our consulate has kept in touch with them and given some financial help from the Indian Community Welfare Fund. We had also assured them that if they are allowed entry into Dubai, we would help [arrange for] their stay and food.

Q/Is there any possibility of bringing them back to India now?

A/It is clearly not possible to get them to India during the lockdown, as there are no international flights between the UAE and India. In a pandemic situation, the government has to take decisions for the common good.

Q/Will they be brought back to India on a priority basis as soon as the lockdown is over?

A/We hope that they will be able to proceed to India as soon as passenger flights start from Dubai to India.

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