Missing in Iraq: Official estimate puts it at just 5

After a string of unconfirmed reports that hundreds of Keralites working in various reconstruction-related projects in Iraq had been left st...

After a string of unconfirmed reports that hundreds of Keralites working in various reconstruction-related projects in Iraq had been left stranded, the ongoing official verification suggests that the numbers may not be that high.

According to reports from Jordan, the Indian Embassy yesterday said there were around five Keralites who were apparently ‘‘missing’’ in Iraq. Kuldip Singh, Charge d’Affaires of Indian Embassy in Jordan, was quoted in news agency reports as saying: ‘‘Several Indians are working in Iraq right now and they are safe. But we are unable to get information about the five Keralites said to be missing.’’

Satish Nambudripad, the Chief Executive of the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department in the state government, who was in Delhi recently to verify the reports, said: ‘‘I was deputed by the (Kerala) government to go to Delhi and ascertain the facts. I was reassured that such large numbers of Keralites are not stranded in Iraq.’’

Story continues below this ad

It is learnt that of the 172 Keralites recruited by a Mumbai-based agency for companies in Jordan, a small number were later sent to work in Iraq. Further details are yet to be ascertained as several Indians working in various countries in West Asia shifted to Iraq once the reconstruction effort started.

Official records show that around 390 persons had been issued visas to work in Iraq. However, the number is seemingly higher because of the large number of Indians who moved from other Gulf countries into Iraq after the war.

us india trade talks, us india trade negotiations, us india tariffs, us india trade relations, trump modi trade talks, india us commerce ministry, us tariffs on india, india exporters relief package, us india economic relations, india us trade barriers, us india trade deal, india us trade meeting, rajesh agarwal commerce ministry, india us trade dispute, india us bilateral trade

Trade talks ‘positive’, govt says will intensify efforts to close US deal early

Business7 hr ago

India and the US have resumed trade negotiations after the US imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. The sixth round of talks will focus on recognising India's red lines and possibly increasing energy purchases from the US. Other topics include easing patent rules, data flows, and giving US firms procurement access.

View all shorts

Live Blog