The swift manner in which the Indian government has carried out the evacuation of Indian nationals and others under Operation Raahat (“Op Raahat: air operations for one more day,” April 9, and the Editorial, April 7) speaks volumes of our capabilities to handle such emergency situations, the high level and grade of India’s diplomacy and a commentary on the goodwill that India enjoys in West Asia. However, with our experiences in Libya and Iraq, we should have anticipated the events in Yemen. From now on, we need to have an ‘active approach’ with credible, early warning systems in place. Simultaneously, we also need to use diplomacy and pressure tactics to ensure better working and wage conditions for our expatriates; a united front by SAARC on this issue will help address their concerns regarding their tenuous future, with support schemes that give them monetary help and alternative work. This would give them the confidence to return home much before trouble knocks on their doors.
Amritpal Singh,New Delhi