COVID-19: Rajasthan BJP chief meets Jaishankar, seeks return of Indian students stuck abroad

Rajasthan BJP president Satish Poonia and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Rajendra Rathore on Thursday met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi and sought immediate return of Indian students stranded in several countries, including the Philippines, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Jaishankar assured that the government is monitoring the situation. Necessary guidelines have been given to the Indian embassies in this regard, the Rajasthan BJP leaders said in a statement.

The External Affairs Minister also said wherever possible, every effort will be made to bring the students to the country and, where it is not possible, they will be taken care of, according to the statement.

Rathore said hundreds of Rajasthan students are stranded in the Philippines and are unable to come to India due to the shutdown of air services. Students studying there are scared, their parents are worried and they are asking for help to come to India, he said.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly said the Indian Embassy officials in the Philippines should contact the stranded students and provide all possible help to them.

Sikar MP Sumedhanand Saraswati was also present during the meeting.