A Question of Answers: No need to panic - Hussain

India has described the Anglo-American war against Iraq as "regrettable" and "unjustified". Like France, Russia, Germany and China, India finds itself in the unenviable position of being a passive spectator of Gulf War III despite strong objections to the military offensive unleashed by the United States and the United Kingdom.

But India has also two other immediate concerns that flow from the United States-led invasion of Iraq.

First, it is compelled to take note of the impact of the war on Indian expatriates in the Gulf countries, especially in Kuwait. There are a few million Indians living in the Gulf countries.

Secondly, it is also worried about the possible effect of the war on oil prices because that would have a grave impact on the rest of the economy.

It is to monitor the war situation as it affects Indians in the Gulf region and the domestic economy that the Vajpayee government has set up a crisis management committee, headed by R.M. Abhyankar, additional secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

But one of the main ministries directly involved in dealing with Indians in the region is that of civil aviation. Its minister, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, is keeping a close watch on the flights of the national carriers, Air India and Indian Airlines, between India and the Gulf.

Hussain, the only Muslim member of Vajpayee's cabinet, is also considered one of the promising politicians of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Partyå. In his early 30s, Hussain has been coping well with the ministerial responsibility, and is drawing attention for his survival virtues in the game of intense political competition within the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners.

In an interview, Hussain sought to allay the fears of Indians in the Gulf region. He assured them that the IA and AI flights have been flying on schedule to all Gulf destinations, except Kuwait, and that there was no panic either among the Indian expatriates or with the government.

Excerpts from the interview:

What is the situation with regard to flights to the Gulf?
There has been no interruption of Indian Airlines and Air India flights to the Gulf region. It is true that we are paying an insurance of Rs3.5 million for each plane and Rs5 million for a Boeing plane, flying to the Kuwait and Bahrain sector.

But we have not suspended the flights. It is also a fact that there is a detour in the flight path, about 200 nautical miles from Iran, and that increases the fuel costs. The flights to other Gulf destinations are normal.

Is there an increase in the passengers travelling from Kuwait?
There has been a slight increase. About 1,700 passengers had flown back from Kuwait because the schools were closed, or the private companies chose to send back the Indian employees in the last few days. But it is not in any way connected to the war situation.

Is the government anticipating an emergency? Are any precautionary measures being taken?
The government is closely monitoring the situation. The secretary for civil aviation has been sent to Kuwait to assess the situation.

I want to assure the Indian community in the Gulf that there is no need to panic. If there is an emergency, we will carry out a large scale airlift of the people as we did in the 1991 Gulf War. We airlifted about two million people at that time, and our successful operation found a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

There are contingency plans to airlift 50,000 people if there is an emergency. Such a situation would arise only if Kuwait is invaded as it was in 1991. But there is no such danger at the present moment. Given the war scenario, there is no danger of Kuwait being invaded. So, there is no need to think in terms of emergency evacuation.

What has been the general impact of the war on India?
As far as civil aviation is concerned, I can tell you that there has been a 15 per cent drop in tourist arrivals from Europe ever since the war has begun.

The special envoy from Iran, Ali Akbar Velayati, has brought a special message from Iranian President Mohammed Khatami. Is India taking an initiative to solve the Iraq crisis?
Yes. Velayati has met Vajpayee. India is in favour of peace in the Gulf, and it will support any initiative to bring peace to the region.

What is the general feeling in the government about the war? Does it reflect the popular anti-war sentiment?
India has made its stand very clear on the issue. It is opposed to the war against Iraq. There is no difference between the popular sentiment in the country and in the world. And the government's stand reflects the popular mood.

Will you be travelling to the Gulf region?
I will not be travelling. As a matter of fact, I had to cancel my trip to Canada because of the war.