India will continue to represent to China the interests of Indian students, workers and their families currently stranded back home for the last two years due to travel restrictions imposed by Beijing.
Speaking at a meeting of expatriates on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas on Sunday, Charge d’Affaires, Dr. Acquino Vimal assured the Indian diaspora of unrelenting efforts to raise their concerns with Chinese authorites. at every possible opportunity.
A 2000 batch IFS (Indian Foreign Service) officer, Dr Vimal said the government will take up with China the return of over 23,000 stranded Indian students besides a large number of Indian workers and their families who are currently stranded back home due to travel restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic. “ For our diaspora in China, the last couple of years have been particularly challenging for our diaspora in China in view of travel restrictions imposed due to COVID 19.’’
When China stopped issuing visas to Indians in 2020, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that since New Delhi had not imposed any travel restrictions on Chinese nationals coming to India, Beijing should also reciprocate accordingly.
Assuring the Indian diaspora, Dr Vimal said, “ We at the Embassy have never failed to raise your concerns with all the relevant authorities at every possible opportunity. We will continue to do so till we arrive at an acceptable solution.”
