India on Tuesday called on members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to facilitate the return of large numbers of Indian workers and professionals who want to resume work amid the easing of Covid-19-related restrictions.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar raised the issue during India’s annual political dialogue with the GCC Troika, which was held virtually. The leaders of the two sides carried out a detailed review of the ties and expressed satisfaction that India and the six GCC states had continued their close cooperation during the pandemic.
Jaishankar “mentioned that a large number of Indian workers and professionals are now eager to return to the GCC countries to resume their work,” and “urged GCC leaders to facilitate their return through sustainable travel bubble arrangements with India, “the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
More than eight million Indians live and work in Western Asia, most of them within the region covered by the GCC, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Saudi Arabia has an Indian expat population of around 2.6 million, while the United Arab Emirates live about 3.4 million Indians.
Also read: Gilgit-Baltistan: Pak plays the role of supplicant to Chinese expansion
Thousands of indigenous people had returned from these countries in the initial stages of the pandemic, some to visit their families and others after job losses.
The GCC states are also among India’s top energy providers, and annual remittances from Indians in these countries are worth an estimated $ 4.8 billion.
Jaishankar also thanked the GCC states for taking over the large Indian diaspora during the pandemic, noting that India had taken “special care to ensure the return of Indian health professionals to the GCC countries and the supply of medicines. and other essential items “.
The GCC was represented at the dialogue by GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah M Al-Hajraf, Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash. Senior representatives from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar also joined the meeting.
Jaishankar briefed the GCC leaders on the improvement of the Covid-19 situation in India, both in terms of health and economy, and looked forward to the soon return to normality in trade with the GCC. India had ensured that supply chains from New Delhi to the Gulf were not disrupted despite blockades during the pandemic, he said.
He also briefed the CCG leaders on India’s progress in developing the Covid-19 vaccine and developing and manufacturing diagnostic and other Covid-19 related kits. “Both parties reaffirmed that they will continue to work together to address the Covid-19 situation,” the statement said.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. They agreed to strengthen the India-GCC partnership in political, economic and other fields.
The GCC states welcomed the inclusion of India as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2021-22, and both sides agreed to work together to reform multilateral institutions to reflect the realities of the 21st century and address challenges such as the pandemic, climate change, sustainable development and terrorism.
.
