Raveesh Kumar was addressing an MEA briefing. (Photo Credit: ANI file)
New Delhi:
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday said India can consider if requested by Imran Khan government for the evacuation of Pakistani students from coronavirus-hit Wuhan. Raveesh, who was addressing an MEA briefing said, "We have not received any request regarding it from Pakistan Government. But, if such a situation arises and we have resources then we will consider it."
#VIDEO | We have not received any request regarding it from Pakistan Government. But, if such a situation arises and we have resources then we will consider it: @MEAIndia on video of Pakistani students in China asking for help from India
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) February 6, 2020
: ANIhttps://t.co/N9pyo4sols pic.twitter.com/Za055v50P9
Moreover, hundreds of stranded Pakistani students in the coronavirus-hit Wuhan city have made desperate pleas to the Imran Khan government to evacuate them from China's worst-affected Hubei province, urging his administration to take a leaf out of India's book.
The Indian government has evacuated 640 Indians from coronavirus-hit China and the complex operation was done with Beijing's assistance, Raveesh added.
Also Read: Anger Grows Among Pakistani Students In Wuhan As Imran Khan Refuses To Evacuate Them
MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar added that apart from those evacuated, 10 other Indians have indicated that they want to come back from China, but were unable to clear the health screening process.
"We are in regular contact with them and exploring all possibilities for their return," Kumar said. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, normal visas and all existing e-visas from China that have been issued are no longer valid, he said.
Also Read: India Temporarily Suspends Online Visa Facility For Chinese, Foreigners Residing In China
India on Sunday airlifted second batch of 323 citizens from coronavirus-hit Wuhan. The Second Air India special flight evacuated 323 Indians and 7 Maldivian citizens from Wuhan.
India has also temporarily suspended e-visa facility for Chinese travellers and foreigners residing in China in view of the rapid spread of the virus.
(With PTI inputs)
