32K Indians to be brought back between May 16-22

An estimated 32,000 Indian nationals from 31 countries including an additional 18 countries will be repatriated back to India from May 16 to 22 via 149 flights in the second phase of the Vande Bharat Mission compared to the ongoing first phase in which Indians are being repatriated from 12 nations from May 7 to 15.

So far, 12,000 Indians have been repatriated in the ongoing first phase. The ministry of exernal affairs (MEA) meanwhile said on Thursday that the “Vande Bharat Mission is the largest and most complex exercise ever undertaken by the government for the repatriation of our nationals stranded overseas”. The additional 18 countries covered under the second phase include Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Japan, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Krgyzstan, Belarus, Georgia, Tajikistan and Armenia. Sources said that about 32,000 Indian nationals are expected to be repatriated in the second phase. A total of over 1.88 lakh Indian nationals had so far registered to return from May 7 but of these only those with compelling reasons are being repatriated.

Indian Navy’s warship Jalashwa on Thursday reached Maldives for second round of repatriation of Indian citizens. In first round Jalashwa and INS Magar had brought back 900 Indian citizens from Maldives.

Jalashwa will enter Male port in the early hours of Friday and begin embarkation of Indian citizens who have already registered with the Indian Embassy in Maldives.

On her second trip, INS Jalashwa is planned to embark 700 Indians and will depart for Kochi by Friday night. This will include 100 women and children.