(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) H E J S Mukul, the Indian Ambassador to Oman on Sunday attended a meeting in New Delhi chaired by India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj to discuss the Iraq crisis.
Indian envoys to other GCC countries also attended the meeting. Apart from Indian envoys, ambassadors of GCC countries posted in India also attended the meeting.The meeting was also addressed by Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East), India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).Speaking to Muscat Daily, a senior official in MEA said, ''We discussed the crisis in Iraq, its impact on the region and beyond, as well as the interests of Indian nationals in the Gulf.''The official said Indian ambassadors in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia gave presentations on labour issues, as well as the new challenges which have arisen for India in the Gulf.The official said that the envoys were told that the new government will focus on economic cooperation, investments and engagement with the Gulf countries. ''We have long-standing strategic ties with the Gulf countries. The region is very important for India's energy needs and millions of our nationals are earning their livelihood there. India has emerged as an important trade and strategic partner of countries in the Gulf.''MEA on Saturday had stated that there were less than 100 Indians stuck in the conflict zone in Iraq, and those held captive in Mosul were unharmed. ''We called on all GCC ambassadors to meet our new external affairs minister. The envoys were briefed on the priorities of the new government.''Briefing the media about the meeting on Sunday, Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson, MEA said, ''The focus was on knowing the assessment of situation by the envoys and how they can assist in facilitating the rescue. The focus was on what was their assessment about the developments in the region...how they viewed the situation in Iraq and the kind of assistance that can be provided to Indians in Iraq from their respective countries both to those who are in the conflict zone and those who are out of the conflict zone. Based on the meeting, the minister has decided that a part of the Indian community welfare fund that is available for our missions in the Gulf will be used for assisting Indian nationals in Iraq.''India has set up three camp offices to facilitate the return of the 10,000 Indians in non-conflict zones in I
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