Needs strict refugee policy to solve crisis, says Himanshu Gulati

Himanshu Gulati, 30, is the only MP of Indian origin belonging to the right-wing Progress party in the Norwegian parliament. In 2017 he was elected as a representative in the Norwegian Parliament from Akershus, where he has served in the Committee on Justice. Excerpts from an interview with DNA’s Ketan Vaidya.

How do you see the Indian presence in Norway?

The Indian community in Norway is small but making a big impact. We are fortunate to have Indians on the highest level in all sectors. They are extremely respected and are contributing to the economy in a fantastic manner.

What issues does the Indian diaspora face?

I see myself as an Ombudsman serving the Indians here. They call me for all kinds of problems. People who have political issues, people who want to start businesses and also a lot of personal problems. As the only Indian in the parliament, I am viewed as the support system, be it personal problems or political issues.

Europe has been struggling with the refugee crisis recently. How do you see the issue as a Norwegian MP?

Refugees and immigration is a sensitive issue all over Europe and all over the world, including India. Europe experienced a big crisis in 2015 in handling the inflow of Syrian refugees. My party believes that Europe needs a strict refugee policy because Europe cannot solve the refugee crisis in the middle east by taking all the refugees in Europe. That would destroy Europe. Therefore, the solution to the refugee crisis is to help the refugees in their own countries and make the situation there better.