Demonetisation: Embassies to seek PMO help on notes recall

NEW DELHI: Diplomatic missions in India are increasingly finding it difficult to address troubles faced by tourists, students, medical tourists, delegates and diplomats, affected by demonetisation even as they appreciated the move in principle in fighting corruption.

Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, ambassador of the Dominican Republic, who also holds the post of the dean of Diplomatic Corps in the country by virtue of spending more years than other Ambassadors in India currently has met senior officials from ministry of external affairs (MEA) and is planning to approach the finance ministry to find a solution.

"In principle all diplomatic missions in India are appreciative of the move to fight corruption and international crimes. However, we are in the middle of a crisis faced not only by diplomats, but also foreign tourists, students enrolled in various institutes, medical tourists and visiting delegations," Castellanos told ET.

"As a dean of Diplomatic Corps, I find it imperative to move the finance ministry and send a message across to the Prime Minister’s Office to a find a solution," said Castellanos, suggesting that measures could include separate counters for embassies at the banks and a dedicated desk at MEA to address troubles faced by them.

He said foreigners visiting India for treatment were impacted the most. "Tourists in far flung areas of India have been left stranded without new currencies as banks are giving priority to locals.

Tourists departing India are not being able to exchange money at airports and returning with the banned currency notes. Foreigners undergoing treatment particularly from Iran and Sudan are facing crisis as they are not allowed credit cards due to sanctions.

Some foreign students under Indian government’s scholarship programme are also left cashless," rued Castellanos.

Senior diplomats of other countries speaking on the condition of anonymity pointed out that the current episode may have impacted Delhi’s move to promote tourism under e-visa programme.

ET has also learnt that embassies have cancelled visits by their delegations due to their inability to host the visitors.

It is understood that if the current situation persists, embassies and diplomats may find it difficult to host official receptions.

A source from the Russian Embassy said while its diplomats had no complaints and supported demonetisation, a few Russians working in New Delhi had to queue for several hours in banks but the situation was not critical.