But logistics, regulations and other challenges remain
Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 13, 2020
The New Zealand government is in discussions with the authorities in India to organise commercial flights to bring home New Zealand citizens and permanent residents stranded in that country.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has just sent out a media release in which he has confirmed that his Ministry is working out the details.
The number of New Zealanders stranded in India is not known but according to the most popular estimate, there are about 770 citizens and permanent residents.
Nightmare issues
However, logistics management would be a nightmare.
While the Safetravel website (www.safetravel.govt.nz) is reported to contain registration details of most stranded persons, the problem is to disseminate information to all of them.
Many New Zealanders visiting India could be stranded in smaller towns and villages from where accessibility to information may be difficult and the ability to reach the cities from where relief aircraft are expected to be operated.
Poor telephone and internet connectivity could compound the problem.
Mr Peters acknowledged that New Zealanders in India have faced challenging circumstances and that the entire country is under lockdown, which can be daunting.
“The New Zealand government is in discussion with airlines and international partners to help those New Zealanders stranded in India return home. This is a seriously complex endeavour due to the current lockdown and the large number of New Zealanders in various locations around India. However, we are making very good progress,” he said.
No guarantees but take advice
Mr Peters has appealed to all New Zealanders in India to seriously consider taking the government-assisted flights to return to New Zealand.
“There are no guarantees when international commercial flights will return to India and New Zealanders should not be relying on that happening in the short-term,” he warned.
India announced a ban on international flights on March 22, 2020, and the country has been in lockdown since March 25, 2020, leaving New Zealanders with no flight options.
Stranded New Zealanders should contribute to the cost of any government-facilitated flights from India. Mr Peters said that the cost will be comparable to the recent government-assisted departures from other locations such as Peru.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the largest consular response ever undertaken by New Zealand and finding solutions that will work is the focus of significant ongoing efforts and government support. We know that New Zealanders in a range of locations are facing challenging conditions. We continue to monitor the global situation and its impacts on New Zealanders abroad, wherever they may be,” Mr Peters said.
Stranded Indians in New Zealand
Indian Newslink understands that an equal number of Indian nationals (about 750) are stranded in New Zealand, having arrived for business, leisure, tourism and family visits.
If the special flights being organised by the New Zealand government originate from any of our airports, there are possibilities of sending home the stranded passengers who are willing to return to India. However, movement under the existing lockdown conditions within India could be challenging. We will bring reports as information gets to hand.
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