The Indian nationals who are trapped overseas due to the global embargo imposed by the coronavirus pandemic are anticipated to be repatriated under the Vande Bharat Mission. A complimentary Operation “Samudra Setu” (sea bridge) initiated by the Indian Navy is also contributing significantly to the cause.
The Vande Bharat Mission
The Vande Bharat Mission is touted as the largest repatriation exercise undertaken to bring back Indian citizens marooned abroad amidst the travel restrictions led by the coronavirus outbreak. This massive operation parallels the evacuation of 177,000 Indians from the Gulf region during the onset of the military confrontation between Iraq and Kuwait during the first Gulf War in the early 1990s.
This mission gives precedence to the Indian citizens with “compelling reasons to return”. The category includes people who have been unemployed, their visas expired and not likely to be extended due to the prevailing circumstances, and those who have recently lost family members.
In line with the repatriation blueprint, the government is coordinating the phased return of Indian nationals on compelling grounds. Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express will operate 64 flights to retrieve stranded Indians from 12 different countries. The passengers will bear the entire cost of the travel under the mission’s provisions.
Operation Samudra Setu
Under the auspices of the Indian Navy, Operation Samudra Setu aims to repatriate approximately two thousand Indians during the first phase of the evacuation program. For this purpose, INS Jalashwa and INS Magar are being operated as part of the efforts to bring back Indian nationals from foreign locales.
The two missions combined account for the largest repatriation exercise ever conducted by India. It underlines the country’s commitment to its citizens stranded abroad during these unprecedented times when international travel has come to a near standstill.
Efforts are in full swing to smoothly execute the two operations. They are being meticulously planned and undertaken in phases, keeping in mind the quarantine requirements for the arriving passengers as well as the existing lockdown norms in the country.
While the Vande Bharat Mission and Operation Samudra Setu have given a ray of hope to thousands of stranded Indian nationals, the seamless execution of these activities would largely depend on the evolving pandemic situation both internationally and within India.
