Sushma Swaraj reviews Iraq action plan with Gulf envoys

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Sunday chaired a meeting of India's envoys in Gulf countries to chalk out the future course of action to rescue Indian nationals stranded in violence-hit Iraq.

The meeting, also attended by the ambassadors of Gulf countries posted in India, reviewed the steps taken so far in this regard, ministry officials said.

Briefing the media about the meeting, ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin later said the focus was on knowing the assessment of situation by the envoys, and how they can assist in facilitating the rescue.

"The focus was on what was their assessment about the developments in the region... How they viewed the situation in Iraq and the kind of assistance that can be provided to Indians in Iraq from their respective countries both to those who are in the conflict zone and those who are out of the conflict zone," he said.

"Based on that meeting, the minister decided that certain parts of the Indian community welfare fund that is available for our missions in the Gulf will be used for assisting Indian nationals in Iraq," he said.

India has set up three camp offices to facilitate the return home of the 10,000 Indians in non-conflict zones in Iraq.