India, Pakistan still safe for RI citizens

Annastashya Emmanuelle and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Unlike some other countries, Indonesia has yet to advise its nationals to leave India and Pakistan, but is closely monitoring the situation there, an official said on Wednesday.

"We have yet to issue an order to leave the area," Marty Natalegawa, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told The Jakarta Post.

Indonesia's missions in Islamabad and New Delhi have also considered it unnecessary to evacuate, Marty said, but Jakarta continues to be updated on the latest situation in the region.

"If the situation worsens, we are prepared with a contingency plan," he said.

The United Kingdom, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Canada and the Philippines are among the countries that have advised their citizens to leave the region, fearing a military confrontation.

According to the Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan, Jack Said Ghaffar, Indonesia has yet to issue a travel ban for the two countries because the situation is thus far considered to be "under control".

Yet, Indonesian nationals in Pakistan are being advised to keep in close contact with the embassy in case of an emergency, and the embassy has asked neighboring United Arab Emirates for assistance in flying out Indonesians should war erupt.

There are about 400 Indonesian nationals in Pakistan, most studying at the Islamic University in Islamabad and Islamic boarding schools.

"So far the situation seems to be under control, everything is still calm in the capital," Ghaffar told the Post from Islamabad, which is located about 400 kilometers from the India-Pakistan border.

In India, there are about 250 to 300 Indonesian nationals, mostly students and workers, a staff member at the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi said.

Meanwhile, as efforts continue to resolve the conflict between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has invited Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi to the country, considering that "his organization has succeeded in promoting peace among various religious worshipers in Indonesia".

Hasyim will fly to India on Thursday for a four-day visit.

"The Indian government sees that the NU, as the country's largest Muslim organization, can live in peace with other religious followers here, and they expect to adopt this model in resolving the conflict with its neighboring country, Pakistan," Hasyim said.