The Indian government is said to have given an in-principle go-ahead to requests from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait to send Indian doctors and paramedics to help both the Gulf nations in the fight against Covid-19 outbreak.

“An in-principle decision has been taken to allow retired military doctors, nurses and technicians to travel to UAE and Kuwait, to begin with”, a top Indian government official was quoted as saying, according to a report in Hindustan Times, one of India’s leading English language newspaper. “Retired military healthcare professionals – doctors, nurses, lab technicians – who are ready to take up this assignment, can opt to help the Gulf countries,” the official was quoted as saying.

According to media reports, The UAE has sought permission to hire or avail the services of doctors and nurses for a shorter duration and has also requested that healthcare professionals working in the UAE, who are currently in India be allowed to return to the UAE to resume their work.

The UAE has long been a valuable partner to India in trade and commercial relations between the two nations are anchored by energy cooperation, trade, investments by UAE in India and businesses driven by Indian expatriates in UAE.

Earlier this month, Kuwait also made a request seeking Indian medical support and had received a 15-member military rapid response team, prompting Kuwait to seek more support.

Other Gulf nations have also sought assistance and there are requests from other parts of the world such as Mauritius and Comoros.