India has evacuated all of its nationals from Syria who expressed a desire to return home following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad’s authoritarian government by rebel forces.
The Syrian government collapsed on Sunday when rebels took control of the capital, Damascus, after capturing several other key cities and towns.
India completed the evacuation of its citizens from Syria on Tuesday.
“We have evacuated all Indian nationals in Syria who wished to return home following recent developments in that country. So far, 77 Indian nationals from Syria have been evacuated. The other have settled there and still continue to live there, and if they want to return, we will facilitate their return,” PTI quoted External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal as saying on Friday.
“Our embassy staff in Damascus escorted them to the border, after which our mission in Lebanon welcomed them and assisted with their immigration,” he said in response to a question during his weekly media briefing.
Jaiswal added that the embassy arranged their accommodation and travel in Beirut before facilitating their return home.
“Most of our nationals have already returned to India and the remaining will be arriving later today or tomorrow,” he said.
“The 44 Zaireen who were on a pilgrimage to Syria have also left Beirut yesterday to visit other religious sites in the region,” Jaiswal added.
The Indian Embassy in Syria continues to function, he added.
India on Monday called for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process to bring stability in that country.
“We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of on-going developments. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria,” the MEA had said.
“We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society,” it said.
With inputs from agencies
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77 Indians evacuated from Syria amid rebel takeover of Damascus: MEA
