Indian community contributing to Tanzania's ​​​​​​​efforts to fight COVID-19 pandemic, says India's envoy to Tanzania

India's envoy to Tanzania Sanjiv Kohli has said Indian community members in the country are contributing to the country's national efforts to fight the COVID pandemic. Speaking exclusively to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Kohli talked about how the mission is reaching out stranded Indians in the country. 

WION: How are India and Tanzania cooperating on the COVID crisis?

Sanjiv Kohli: As for our cooperation with Tanzania in COVID 19 related matters we have been regularly sharing some of our learnings with them. You are also aware of steps taken by the Government of India to ensure execution of orders placed by Tanzanian companies for import of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol from India. Indian companies present here as well as companies owned by Indian community members have contributed towards Tanzania's efforts to fight this pandemic. 

WION: How are you reaching out to Indians stranded in the country? 

Sanjiv Kohli: There are about 12000 Indian nationals here apart from about 40000 people of Indian origin. As in other parts of the world, there are some of our nationals who were on short term visits and have got stuck. We have facilitated the extension of their visas. There are others who want to travel to India for a variety of reasons such as to him with their families in India or because of possible loss of jobs etc. We are issuing regular advisories and updating our database of those who are stranded as well as of those who are here on regular work permits. Regular contacts are also being maintained with community leaders and associations. As for situation here there has been a sudden spurt in the number of cases in the last few days. Members of the Mission and their families are of course taking all possible precautions.