Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson on 30 May 2024
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Namaste, good afternoon friends, let's begin the press engagement.
Brahm Prakash Dubey: Main Brahm Prakash Dubey hoon India Daily Live se. Mera sawal ye hain ki haal hi mei Pakistan ke purva pradhanmantri Nawaz Sharif ne ek bayan diya, unhone is baat ko swikara aur kaha ki kis taraf se 1999 mei tatkalin bhartiya pradhanmantri Atal Bihari Vajpayi ke sath jo samzota hua tha uska ullanghan Pakistan ne kiya, isko lekar videsh mantralaya kya sochta hain, bharat ka tark kya hain?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] I am Brahm Prakash Dubey from India Daily Live. My question is that recently, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, made a statement in which he acknowledged and said that Pakistan violated the agreement made with the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999. What does the Ministry of External Affairs think about this, and what is India's stance on this matter?
Sidhant: Sir Sidhant from WION. There are reports from Maldives that India plans to initiate free trade agreement talks. This is something that has been claimed by a Maldivian Minister. If you can clarify or is it correct, Sir?
Aayushi Agarwal: Sir, this is Aayushi Agarwal from ANI. Sir, how does India see the current situation which is ongoing in Gaza especially after the Israeli strike in Rafah that led to the civilian casualties?
Yeshi Seli: Yeshi Seli from New Indian Express. What is the situation like in Bishkek because there were plenty reports coming in, saying that the students are in frenzy and they want to return. Also, yesterday Dr. Jaishankar had said that the peace process in Ukraine will also have some kind of, not intervention, but he did say that India's inputs will be required. So, your comments on that?
Reza: Reza from the Hindustan Times. Just an additional point to what Aayushi asked. The Norway, Ireland and Spain have joined the countries that have recognized the Palestinian state. How does India look at that and the possibility that more countries in Europe will also now recognize Palestine?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, let's start.
Brama Prakash aapse shuruwat karte hain. Dekhiye jis mudde par aap humara dhyan lana chah rahe hain, uspe hamari kya rai hain, hamari kya soch hain, kya hamara position hain usse toh aap bhalibhati awagat hain. Rahin baat ki ye kya dekhne ko aa raha hain, toh hum dekh rahe hain ki Pakistan mei bhi ab vastavikata pe aadharit najariya samne aa raha hain aur dekha ja raha hain, toh isi prakar se aapne jo tippani ki baat kahin aapne, usko hum is najariya se dekhte hain.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Brahm Prakash, let's start with you. Look, regarding the issue you are trying to draw our attention to, you are well aware of our opinion, our thoughts, and our position on it. As for what we are observing, we are seeing that an objective view is now emerging in Pakistan as well. So, regarding the comments you mentioned, we look at it from this perspective.
You are aware of our position on this issue. I need not reiterate that. We note that there is an objective view emerging in Pakistan as well on this particular matter.
Sidhant, your question was regarding Maldives. The comments made by their Economic Minister regarding FTA. On Maldives, we have seen some reports about the Minister speaking about we offering FTA. We haven't done so. But if Maldives, if they are considering FTA with us, we will surely look into it.
Aayushi, current situation in Rafah. On that particular issue, we want to say that the heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern for us. We have consistently called for protection of civilian population and respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict. We also note that the Israeli side has already accepted responsibility for it as a tragic incident and announced an investigation into the incident. So, that is our comments on your question.
Yeshi, on the situation in Bishkek. The situation in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, is normal. Some two weeks back or so, there were some incidents involving foreign students, not Indians. Because of that, Indian students got worked up. They were a little concerned. Our Embassy swung into action. We established helplines to assist the students. We also took up the matter with local authorities, as also the university administration, so that the welfare and well-being and safety of our students are taken care of. I would like to let you know that this is exam time for our students and after the exams get over, there will be summer vacation in which many of them will come back. There are direct flights between Bishkek and Delhi twice a week and there is direct flight also via Almaty on a daily basis which can be availed of and our Embassy remains ready to assist our students in whatever manner that the request comes for.
On Ukraine-Russia, you know our position is very well known. You heard what External Affairs Minister had to say, we have consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy being the way forward on this particular matter.
Reza, on the question, that these European countries have now come up and recognized Palestine. As to how we look at it, let me tell you that India recognized Palestine way back in the 1980s. So, it has been our long-standing position that we support a two-state solution which entails the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent state of Palestine within recognized and mutually agreed borders living side by side with Israel in peace. So that is how we look at it. What they are doing now, we have already done in the 1980s.
Huma Siddiqui: I am Huma Siddiqui from the Financial Express. My question is who is going to represent India at the Swiss Peace Conference which is taking place next month; and also who is going to represent India at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum which is next week in Russia?
Sanjeev Balwa: I am Sanjeev Balwa from The Week magazine. This is in the light of the May 13th…so has there been any fresh interaction on India's part to establish full-scale relationship with the regime in Afghanistan?
Chandrakala: Chandrakala this side from ETV Bharat. There is a report suggesting that Pakistan has repatriated five Indian prisoners, including Wahida Begum from Assam and her 11-year-old son. They were detained for over a year in Quetta jail for lacking valid passports and visas. If I can have some more information on this, basically on the other Indian prisoners.
Aditi: Hi Sir, this is Aditi from NBT. Sir this is about the comment made by US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller. He has recently said that on the issue of religious liberty, US has been engaging with many countries, including India. Your comments, please.
Livia Rodriguez: Good afternoon. Livia Rodriguez from Prensa Latina. Recently, the US government removed Cuba from its list of countries that do not fully cooperate with its anti-terrorist efforts. But in a contradictory way, the US government at the same time unfairly keeps Cuba on an arbitrary list of states that, according to Washington, are sponsors of terrorism. We would like to know India's opinion on this issue, taking into account that this designation by the United States on Cuba affects the Caribbean island possibility to trade with other countries, and is a weapon to apply more than just coercive measures against the island and tighten the illegal economic blockade that the United States has maintained against the island for more than 60 years. Thank you.
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Thank you.
Huma, regarding Peace Conference, we have told you earlier also that we have not yet taken a decision on our participation. That decision as and when is taken, you will come to know or we will announce it. Similar is the case with St. Petersburg Economic Forum. At this point in time, we have yet to take a decision as to who is going to go. You will come to know about it.
Sanjeev regarding your question about Chabahar. We had come out with a press release where we talked about the importance of the project, Chabahar, long-term contract that we've signed. We've also talked about this particular project, enhancing connectivity in the region, especially for Afghanistan where we deliver humanitarian aid and assistance, and also help landlocked countries in Central Asia. So that is how we look at the Chabahar project. As far as Afghanistan goes, it has been our consistent policy that we support the people of Afghanistan, especially through humanitarian assistance, food, medicines, et cetera. and we utilize Chabahar for that particular purpose.
Chandrakala, your question regarding Indian prisoners coming back from Pakistan. Exchange of prisoners happened between the two countries. It is part of our consular engagement. We have, at regular intervals, such exchanges take place and the five that you mentioned about, including a lady from Assam, is part of this particular exchange.
Regarding your question about State Department, sometime back when that particular report had come, we had made our position very clear as to what we feel on the question of religious freedom. So, I would refer you to please have a look at the statement that we made here.
Livia, your question about Cuba. We have very strong ties with Cuba. We have very friendly ties with Cuba. On the question of terrorism, India is in the forefront of fighting terrorism, cross-border terrorism. We want the global community to realize how important a threat it is to global existence and we want to strengthen our fight. As far as the particular question that you referred, is a matter between Cuba and another country, that is how we look at it. It's a matter between two countries. But as far as terrorism is concerned, we work with our global partners to strengthen international fight against international terrorism.
Abhishek Jha: Sir Abhishek Jha from CNN News18 this side. My question is regarding one of the army veteran Indian who was killed in Gaza I believe. One of the Indian army veteran working for UN was killed in Gaza, do we have any updated report as to what laid to the circumstances in which he was killed? Did we also raise this issue with the Israeli government?
Rishabh: Good evening Sir Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, two questions, one, Azerbaijan Foreign Minister is in Pakistan, he raked up Kashmir in Islamabad again in the Joint statement, Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement with Pakistan. And second, Sir European Union has announced a grant for Manipur for the hailstorm that has led to destruction of crops in Manipur. How does India see it?
Mohammad Ghazali: Ghazali from NDTV Sir. I just want to ask about this Meta adversarial threat report by Meta. It has released a report citing that how some fake accounts operating from China have been struck down from Meta, which used to target the global Sikh community and also relations of India and Tibet as well. That report mentions that as well. So If you can just…
Ayanangsha Maitra: My name is Ayanangsha Maitra, independent journalist. Sir, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, welcomed the move as well as welcomed the move of Chabahar. So, the bilateral trade is estimated to be something around 700 million plus. So, how you expect this could have a push?
Dhairya Maheshwari: Sir, Dhairya Maheshwari from Sputnik. Sir, I have two questions. The first one is in regards to the G7 ban on Russian diamonds. Sir, the Belgian industry association, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, last week they announced that they are in talks with global stakeholders to establish diamond verification centers outside the EU. Now, since significant Indian diamond industry interests are involved in this issue, would it be able to know if there are talks between India and EU to set up a diamond verification centre in Surat or maybe in Mumbai? And, Sir, the second question is in regards to the BRICS. Several countries including Thailand, Sri Lanka in recent weeks have announced an interest and intention in joining the BRICS grouping. How does India see this?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. Abhishek, regarding your question about the death of Colonel Kale, as we had said earlier also, an investigation has been launched by the Israeli side. We also know that the United Nations Department of Safety, they have also set up a fact-finding mission. We hope that these investigations are concluded soon and we look forward to it. And also, both our Missions, in Tel Aviv and also our Mission in New York, they are in touch with the authorities in regard to the investigation. So we are following up also on the matter.
Rishabh, the question regarding Azerbaijan, yes, Jammu and Kashmir, our position is very well known, consistent. So, I would leave it at that. Regarding your question about assistance rendered by the European Union, we have seen some reports, we have also seen some reports or press release by the government of Manipur on it. We are not aware of this particular assistance having been rendered, because we have not been informed of it, we are not aware of it. But we have seen some reports on it.
Ghazali, this Meta report that you are talking about, I have not seen this report, it is a private report. So once, you know, let me have a look and then we will revert to you.
Maitra, your question about Chabahar, yes, Chabahar, as I told you, you know, that this is an important project for us to provide connectivity in the area, to provide humanitarian assistance. Through this port, we have, for several years provided humanitarian assistance. And this particular project is going to help in connectivity and connectivity thereafter leads to several other benefits to countries in the region.
The area of question about diamond verification centre, this is, of course, you know, diamond trade is an important, India is an important player as far as global diamond trade is concerned. We have global manufacturing happening in India, we have, I mean, one of the major centers of global diamond trade, global polishing, value addition happens in India, we are important player in that. There are strong connections between Surat, Antwerp and other centers which are on the global diamond map. On this particular issue of diamond verification centre, I don't have an update on this, whether it is a matter of discussion between European Union and India or not, but I shall look into the matter and revert to you.
On BRICS, you know, we have been consistently saying that BRICS is an important platform for us and we look forward to our participation in the meetings that will be organized by Russia as chair of BRICS this year. As far as membership of BRICS is concerned, it is for the grouping to decide and the grouping decides based on the certain criteria that they have laid down. So if the group decides on a particular membership of expansion or to consider a particular country to the group, it will be done as per the guidelines of the BRICS grouping.
Sudhi Ranjan: Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg Sir. Any clarity that you can give us on whether U.S. has allowed Indian oil companies to lift oil from Venezuela, and if so, when have these clearances come?
Neeraj: Sir, Neeeraj from News18 India. Prajwal Revanna ke diplomatic passport ke cancellation ke mamle me ab tak kya update hai, aur kya unka diplomatic passport kal expire ho raha hai, 31 May ko?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, this is Neeraj from News18 India. What is the latest update on the cancellation of Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport? Also, is his diplomatic passport expiring tomorrow, on May 31st?
Suhasini Haidar: This is Suhasini Haidar from the Hindu. One question about the ongoing investigation into the allegations by the U.S. of an assassination for hire over there. We have now passed the six months mark since you had announced, the spokesperson had announced, that India has put in place a high level inquiry into this. We still don't have details of who's on the inquiry, who's carrying out the inquiry or any details thereof. Can you please update us on what so far has the inquiry found? Because there have been many media reports about various conclusions being conveyed already to the U.S., and whether the U.S. or Mr. Gupta has in any way approached the Indian government over his extradition, which will presumably lead to the trial in the U.S. shortly.
And if I may, a second question on why has India not supported Taiwan's application for a request to be an observer at the World Health Assembly? Taiwan has been requesting this at least since 2020 and the COVID pandemic. It had observer status from 2009 to 2016. But while the U.S. and other countries have supported that candidature, India has not.
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. Sudhi, first question regarding oil imports, sometime back we were importing oil from Venezuela. That was based on the specific approvals that were taken. After that once those specific approvals or carve out that was given, they have now expired. I am not sure of any further developments on that account. But let me have a look into this matter and come back to you. But that is where I feel that till April we were doing it. After that it has stopped.
Neeraj aapka sawal diplomatic passport ko le ke hai. Main aapko batana chahta hoon ki, is mahine ki 21 tarikh ko hum logo ke pas woh request aaya tha Karnataka sarkar se. 23 tarikh ko hum logon ne show cause notice, jo hamara vidhivat pravdhan hai Indian Passport Act ke tahat, hum logon ne show cause notice jari kiya us Member of Parliament ke naam pe, unko diya gaya ki bataeeye ki aapka diplomatic passport kyu nahi cancel ho sakta hai, uske liye 10 din ki awavdi hain, 10 din ke ander unko jawab dena hai. 23 ko hamne ye show cause notice jari kiya tha, hum log unke jawab ka intezar kar rahe hain, jawab mil jayega uske baad hum apni karyawahi aage karenge is mamle mei.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Neeraj, your question is about the diplomatic passport. I want to inform you that on the 21st of this month, we received a request from the Karnataka government. On the 23rd, we issued a show cause notice, as per the provisions of the Indian Passport Act, to the Member of Parliament in question. They were asked to explain why their diplomatic passport should not be canceled. They have been given a period of 10 days to respond. We issued the show cause notice on the 23rd, and we are currently waiting for their response. Once we receive the response, we will proceed with further action in this matter.
See, we had received a request from the Karnataka government on 21st May. On 23rd May, as per the Indian Passport Act, we had initiated action for cancellation of passport of Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna. On 23rd May, we had issued a show cause notice as per procedure to him. He has to respond to that show cause notice within 10 days and we are waiting for his response and accordingly we will take things forward once we hear from him or once the 10-day period expires.
Suhasini on a question about the high-level committee, I can only tell you that the high-level committee has been constituted and the high-level committee is looking into all the inputs that were shared with us. Further than that, I don't have anything to share with you. Regarding Mr. Nikhil Gupta, we understand that the Constitutional Court in the Czech Republic has given a ruling upholding the earlier decisions of the courts on the admissibility of the extradition request. Further than that, I don't have any more details.
On the question of observer status for Taiwan, see, whatever decision India is going to take, I am not sure whether this particular issue has come up for consideration or not. But whatever decision we are going to take, we will be in keeping with our policy on this matter.
Kallol Bhattacharjee: Kallol from the Hindu. My question is regarding the Bangladesh MP Anwarul Anar, who has gone missing and there are reports that he was brutally murdered and his body parts strewn across Kolkata. Sir what all details do you have about the case and was it something somehow related to his business? There are various reports regarding his business activities as well. What more can you share about the case? Was it taken up by the Bangladesh government or with the Indian government so far?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So Kallol, what I can tell you is that this particular case is being investigated. Law enforcement agencies from both Bangladesh and India are coordinating and necessary information is being exchanged. From our side, the government is extending full support to the Bangladeshi side as part of our ongoing investigation in the matter.
Srinjoy: Sir, is there a change in the route of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? And if there is, can you tell us why, please?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Srinjoy, on this particular issue, I don't have an update, but let me get back to you. I will consult my colleagues and get back to you if there has been a change in it.
Siddhant: There are reports of increased cooperation between Pakistan and China as a line of control in terms of building bunkers and other such military infrastructure. Any reaction to this?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: You are talking about the projects in PoK?
Siddhant: Yes, Sir.
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So on PoK, Pakistan occupied Kashmir, we are very consistent in our position. We want to tell you that the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Union Territories, they are part of India, integral part of India. They were integral part of India, they are integral part of India and they will remain integral part of India. Our position on CPEC also is well known to you. We are not in favor of it, we are against it. It goes against our territorial integrity and sovereignty.
If we have no more questions, then we call it a day. Thank you very much for your presence.
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