Commonwealth diplomats briefed on Games, assured of security

NEW DELHI - Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on Wednesday briefed heads of missions of Commonwealth countries on different aspects of the Games and assured them that all steps are being taken to ensure the security of visiting dignitaries and athletes.

“Things are proceeding smoothly and that we are confident that the games will be held successfully and that all our preparations will be completed well in time. We have invited the ambassadors, the high commissioners to visit some of the venues. We will be arranging those visits in the next few days,” Rao told reporters.

Rao said security aspect has been taken care of and a daily briefing on the various security measures would be undertaken by the Home Ministry.

“These briefings will continue. Of course the Home Ministry has set up a daily briefing facility for the security layers matters, which is going to be very important and have been able to answer lot of questions like that. The Ministry of External Affairs is of course available to answer questions, but what was useful about today was that we were able to get them all together under one roof and also get the senior officials involved from various departments,” Rao added.

Regarding concerns over dengue outbreak, Rao said the number of cases in the city was not high.

“The level of serious cases of people who have actually succumbed to these illnesses is very small, very low and we should not exaggerate these numbers because we have good systems in place to treat such conditions, we have a good public health system in place and there should be no worry on that score,” Rao said.

Over 40 heads of missions were present at the briefing on the Commonwealth Games, sources said.

Besides Rao, Sports Secretary Sindhu Shree Khullar, Health Secretary K. Sujatha Rao and Chief Secretary, Delhi, Rakesh Mehta, were present to answer the queries of diplomats.

The briefing comes against the backdrop of security and health concerns expressed by some countries ahead of the Games.

India is expecting about two million visitors in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states, which will be held from October 3 to 14.

The 12-day sporting extravaganza will be India’s biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. (ANI)