India closely following political developments in Middle East: Ahamed

New Delhi, Mar 3(ANI): Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed on Thursday said that the Union Government is closely following the recent political developments in the Middle-East, particularly with regard to safety and security of the Indian community.

"There are around 18,000 Indians in Libya. As the situation in Libya remains tense, we have started evacuation for bringing back Indians from Libya both by air and sea. Our embassies in Tripoli, Cairo [to assist Indians coming out of Libya by land/sea border to Egypt] and Tunis [to assist Indians coming out of Libya by land border to Tunisia] are working round the clock and Government is doing its best to assist in the safe return of Indian nationals at the earliest," Ahamed said in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

"Round-the-clock control rooms are also functioning smoothly both at Ministry of External Affairs and Embassy of India in Tripoli for providing assistance in this regard. Government continues to monitor the developments in these countries so that no adverse impact is felt on bilateral relationship as well as with regard to the safety and security of Indians residing there," he added.

Ahamed further said that the region is home to nearly five million Indians.

"Besides, this region is also a vital source of our energy needs in terms of oil and gas imports for India as well as fertilizer inputs," the Minister of State said. (ANI)