529 samples of Indian nationals in Iran have been brought back to India and is currently being tested at the National Institute of Virology, Pune for the Corona Virus.
These samples were brought back on the Indian Air Force operated C-17 Globemaster Transport Aircraft that also rescued 58 nationals, mostly pilgrims who visited Qom.
The Government on March 7 collected 108 samples and out of these samples, 58 tested negative and now those individuals have been brought back home.
Also Read: COVID-19: India adds more foreign countries to no entry list
India has set up a temporary laboratory facility in Iran and six officials from the Health Ministry have been deputed to test the samples of Indian nations from there.
These facts were stated by the Minister for External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar on the floor of the Rajya Sabha. He also mentioned that efforts are being undertaken to contact Indian nationals from all the provinces of Iran.
At present, there are about 6000 of them spread across Iran.
This number includes:
About 1100 pilgrims at Qom from the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and the state of Maharashtra,
about 300 students who are mostly from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and
about 1000 fishermen mostly from the states of Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Minister also stated that flights between India and Iran have been suspended since 27 February, 2020.
These operations are being mounted only with the cooperation of the Iranian authorities. India and Iran enjoy close strategic partnership based on historical and civilizational ties.
Finally, the Minister added that all citizens will be taken care off and will be rescued from Iran, as it has been the case with respect to the Indian citizens in Wuhan in China and Japan.