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India widens protest advice to Italy and Belgium as Paris shuts the Louvre for Saturday
The MEA asked Indians in three European countries to stay away from demonstrations, as France prepares for another weekend of cost-of-living protests.
Key points
- MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asked Indians in France, Italy and Belgium to remain vigilant and avoid protest areas.
- The Indian embassy in Italy has issued an advisory, following the embassy in Paris.
- The Louvre, Orsay and Picasso museums in Paris will be closed on Saturday.
India on Friday asked its citizens in France, Italy and Belgium to keep away from street protests, widening a warning that had so far covered only France.
At the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly briefing in New Delhi, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indian nationals in the affected countries should “remain vigilant”, avoid areas where demonstrations are under way and follow the advice of local authorities. He said the Indian embassy in Italy had also issued an advisory.
The embassy in Paris had earlier posted on X, citing “localised curfews imposed in France”, that Indians should “remain vigilant and exercise due caution” and avoid “large gatherings and crowded places where protests are taking place”.
The protests began in late September over the cost of living. In France they turned violent last weekend, with fires, smashed shop windows, looting and clashes with police.
Museums close their doors
Paris is bracing for a bigger turnout on Saturday. The culture ministry told the institutions under it to take the necessary steps for “visitor safety, staff protection and the preservation of artworks”. The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Picasso are among those that will stay shut.
Art Basel Paris, with 211 galleries at the Grand Palais, opened to the public for one day on Friday before cancelling its weekend programme. Saloni Doshi, an art collector who had travelled from India for the fair, said she agreed with the closure, though she found it hard that such steps were needed.
Thursday’s march in Paris passed off peacefully. Saturday’s will be watched closely after a gunman killed one person and wounded five in the western suburbs of Trappes and La Verrière on Friday.