India monitoring Libya situation: Krishna
By IANSTuesday, February 22, 2011
NEW DELHI - India Tuesday said it was keeping a close watch on the situation in violence-hit Libya and vowed to ensure the safety of all Indians there.
“The situation is being closely monitored … and we are in constant touch with the ambassador there. I am happy to inform that all Indians are safe in Libya,” External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna said.
Krishna told reporters ouside parliament that the Indian mission in Libya was in constant touch with Indian citizens and “whatever needs to be done, will be done.”
There are about 18,000 Indians in Libya, mostly working in the health, construction and oil sectors.
“We don’t differentiate between ‘mazdoors and non-mazdoors’ (labourers and non-labourers). Every Indian is precious to us,” he said, when asked about the help being provided to workers there.
India has also set up a committee to prepare plans to meet any eventuality in the wake of the unprecedented protest against the four-decade old Muammar Gaddafi regime.
“The committee would comprise the foreign secretary and overseas Indian affairs secretary among others. This committee would be planning steps to meet any eventuality,” Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said Monday.
Ravi said he was in touch with Krishna and Defence Minister A.K. Antony and hda spoken to the Indian ambassador in Libya.
