Forty Indian nationals stranded in strife-torn Iraq will return home safely on Tuesday while efforts are continuing to rescue others. Briefing reporters in New Delhi today, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said 46 Indian nurses, who are stranded in Tikrit, are unharmed and the Ministry is in touch with them. He said, they had some shortage of funds for getting their essential items, which had been provided to them.

The spokesperson said two mobile units have been set up in Baghdad to reach out to Indians residing in various compounds or workplaces in the city. He said with this, the Ministry has now such units in all cities from Baghdad and its south.

On today's meeting of Indian envoys in Gulf countries chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, the spokesperson said it was decided that some money from Indian Community Welfare Fund will be transferred to Indian mission in Baghdad for assistance to Indian nationals. He said Mrs Swaraj also had a meeting with the ambassadors of Gulf countries. The meeting was aimed at exploring what assistance the ambassadors can extend on behalf of their countries to help out Indians in conflict zone. He said the response of the ambassadors was positive and New Delhi intends to work with them to evacuate Indians from Iraq.

The Ministry had yesterday issued an advisory asking Indian nationals to contact the Indian Embassy officials at the station nearest to their location for assistance to return home. It said all necessary assistance, including provision of travel documents, air tickets and facilitation in any other form for travel out of Iraq, will be provided to them to facilitate their return. The Ministry's three camp offices are already working in Najaf, Karbala and Basra to help Indians depart from non-conflict zones.