Interacted with the local community in #Baramulla. E-inaugurated a number of projects. Heard from a broad cross-sec… https://t.co/7wbB2SejN6 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) 1583751397000

COVID-19: EAM Jaishankar meets parents of Kashmiri students stuck in Iran

SRINAGAR: External affairs minister S Jaishankar arrived on a surprise visit to Kashmir on Monday and met the relatives of those people, including students, who are stranded in Iran amidst coronavirus scare, officials said. Over 100 relatives of those stranded had gathered to meet the minister and they demanded that the Centre airlift them from Iran immediately.Jaishankar tweeted, “Interacted with the local community in #Baramulla. E-inaugurated a number of projects. Heard from a broad cross-section about their strong expectations of change and developmental progress. Confident that their faith in a better future will be realised.”In Srinagar, Jaishankar visited the passport office and interacted with the parents of students and pilgrims who have been stranded in Iran after the coronavirus outbreak there.Talking to journalists later, some of the parents said they had been told by the minister that the Indian government will follow the world protocol in this regard. The relatives and parents of the stranded Kashmiris in Iran requested the EAM to use his good offices to get their wards and relatives back from Iran, who had either gone on pilgrimage or who are studying in Tehran. The government sent a C-17 aircraft to bring them back las night.The minister, according to the official sources assured the families that New Delhi would do whatever is possible under the present circumstances. He informed them that anybody brought from Iran will have to get quarantined in New Delhi before returning home here. The officials said the Union minister briefed the families on the steps being taken by the Centre to bring back their loved ones. Jaishankar said, “Visited Passport Office #Srinagar. Appreciate the good work and enthusiastic approach of its personnel. Please keep it up @rposrinagar”On the return of stranded Kashmiris from Iran, Jaishankar said, “Efforts underway for return of Indian pilgrims in Qom #Iran. Screening process has started & follow up arrangements are being discussed with Iranian authorities. This is top priority & embassy team @india_in_iran is fully engaged on this.”The officials said that after meeting the families, the minister interacted with some people associated with the tourism industry who raised several issues confronting the sector. Jaishankar then visited the regional passport office Srinagar located in Boulevard area of the city and took stock of its functioning. He also visited passport seva kendras in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, they added. “Met representatives of Kashmir Hoteliers Assn, Tours & Travel Operators Assn & Houseboat Owners Assn. Heard a clear message from them that they were ready for the forthcoming tourist season. Promised them that government would strongly support tourism promotion efforts, domestically & internationally,” Jaishankar said.The minister also got a briefing from General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps over the security situation in the Valley, the officials said. the minister later left for Delhi in the late afternoon after his Baramulla visit, the officials said.