Gulf crisis: Kerala CM Vijayan writes to Sushma Swaraj, raises concerns about Indians living in Qatar

Amid a rapidly intensifying diplomatic rift between Qatar and other Arab countries, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, raising concerns about the 6.5 lakh Indians living and employed in the country.

In his letter, the Pinarayi wrote the geo-political situation in the Middle East has raised deep concerns among the people of Kerala, "since each family has at least one family member or a relative in the region."

He also urged the government to "suitably empower" the Indian Embassy in Doha, to "respond presciently to the concerns of the Indian population in Qatar."

Here's the full text of his letter:

I am writing this letter in the context



of the developing geo-political situation in the Middle East today. As you are aware millions of Indians are working in Countries in the Middle East and therefore the geo-political developments in the region has raised deep concerns among the people in the state since each family has at least one family member or a relative in the region.

There are about 6.5 Lakh Indians in Qatar of which nearly three lakh people hail from Kerala, and I bring to your attention our concern regarding their safety and future of their employment and their engagement in Qatar.

I would like to place on record the full support of our State to the considered stance that Union Government would take on the issue, given the complexities involved.