Govt attaches top priority to safety of all Indians: PM to Narendra Modi on welfare of Indians in Kenya

Govt attaches top priority to safety of all Indians: PM to Modi New Delhi, Sep 24 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today told Narendra Modi that his government is attaching the highest priority to safety and welfare of all Indians in Kenya where terrorists struck, a day after the Gujarat Chief Minister raised the issue of security of Gujaratis.

Responding to Modi's letter, Singh wrote to him, saying the government mourns the loss of Indians and people of Indian origin, "hailing from different parts of the country", who went to Kenya for the common goal of building their lives and contributing to their chosen country's progress.

They are "now united in death", he underlined.

In his letter to the PM, Modi had said, "I stressfully urge that the central government should use all the resources available to it to provide safety and security to families of those Indians and Gujaratis who are victims of the terror attack (in Kenya)."

Singh said the government takes great pride in the achievements of the Indian community living across the world as they are "a window to our heritage, diversity and progress".

Pointing out that they are greatly admired for their accomplishments and their contribution to the host countries, Singh said, "however, they are also vulnerable to prejudice, acts of violence, conflict and natural disasters. We, therefore, attach absolutely the highest priority to their safety, security and welfare."

Singh noted that the Indian High Commission in Nairobi has been in close touch with the Indian and Indian-origin community and the Indian associations in Kenya.

"It (High Commission) has reached out to the families of the victims and other Indians injured in the attack, offering help and providing information round-the-clock," he wrote.

The High Commission is also providing all consular assistance and courtesies to the victims' families in their hour of grief, including those who are travelling to Nairobi to be with their bereaved, perform the last rites or claim the bodies, Singh said, adding the External Affairs Ministry is closely monitoring the developments.