Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson on 04 October 2024
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon friends. I welcome you to this Press engagement. I'll start with an announcement that I have to make. This is regarding the visit of President of Maldives to India.
The President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, will be travelling to India on a State visit during 7th to 10th of October, 2024. This will be the first bilateral visit of President Dr. Muizzu to India. As you know, he had earlier visited India in June 2024, to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. During the visit, he'll also be visiting Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he'll have business engagements. The visit of the President of Maldives to India, after the recent visit of the External Affairs Minister to Maldives, is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its relations with the Maldives, and the visit is expected to lend further momentum to cooperation and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries.
So that was the announcement regarding the visit of the President of Maldives. Now I open the floor for questions.
Huma: Sir, I'm Huma Siddiqui from the Financial Express. Just wanted to know, with the situation in West Asia, is the MEA looking at repatriating Indians in case it spreads further? And what is the situation of the Indians who are already in Israel? Has anyone reached out to the Embassy to be repatriated?
Rezaul: Rezaul from the Hindustan Times. Given that Zakir Naik is a fugitive, wanted by India and his passport has been revoked, are we aware on what documents he's travelling, and given the fact that he has even met the Pakistani Prime Minister during his visit to Islamabad, do we intend to raise this issue with Malaysia, where he's based, and with Pakistan?
Aayushi: Sir, this is Aayushi Agrawal from ANI. A follow-up question on West Asia, if we could have the figures of how many Indian nationals do we have in Lebanon and Iran? Also, any contingency plans that we are formulating to evacuate our citizens from there?
Yeshi: This is Yeshi Seli from The New Indian Express. Who's going to go from India for the SCO Summit in Islamabad? And also, as Dr. Jaishankar already met the Sri Lankan President, any update on what the conversation was like?
Sidhant: Hi sir, this is Sidhant from WION. Sir, when it comes to South China Sea, the situation remains tense. We have seen skirmishes in which Vietnamese fishermen have come under attack, allegedly by the Chinese assets, by their forces. Can you comment on that?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. We have five questions here. First, Huma, your question regarding the situation in West Asia, we had also issued a statement few days back, expressing our deep concern in what's happening in the region. We had said that the escalation of violence, the deterioration in the security situation is a matter of deep concern for us, and we had reiterated a call for restraint by all concerned, and also protection of civilians. It is important, in our opinion, that this particular conflict doesn't take a wider regional dimension, and we urge that all issues be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy. On the question of repatriation, from Iran and from Israel and other countries, there are flights which are running. So, as of now, people who want to leave the country, they have that option. I understand that some people had reached out, their families had reached out to our Embassy. They, of course, because the flights are running, they have the option of leaving. But at this point in time, we are not encouraging people to… we don't have an evacuation flight, so to speak, if that option is already available to people.
Ayushi, you had a related question. So, in Lebanon, we have around 3,000 people. Most of them are based in Beirut, in North Beirut and in North Lebanon, so which is away from where the fight is taking place, skirmishes are happening. We also have a large number of contingent in the UNIFIL, where Indian soldiers are in the Blue Helmet as part of the UN forces.
In Iran, Ayushi, we have some 10,000 people. Now, of these 10,000 people, 5,000 people are students or residents in Iran. They are undertaking medical education or other education, as also they are there with their families. So, that number would be somewhere in around 5,000 or 6,000. We also have a large contingent of seafaring community in Iran, but that's a floating population. They go there on a temporary basis and then leave the country. So, that population, again, would be in the range of 3,000 to 4,000 or 5,000. So, that is the figure of Indians in Iran and as also in Lebanon. In Israel, we have something like 30,000 people who are there. A large number of them, as you know, they are caregivers, but also we've seen a lot of Indian workers have also gone to Israel recently.
On the contingency plan, yes, at this point in time, we don't have… I mean, some of them did get in touch with us and we've advised them that if you want to leave the country, the option is available because flights are running.
Rezaul, your question regarding Zakir Naik, yes, we have seen reports that he's being feted in Pakistan. He has been warmly welcomed there. It is not surprising for us that an Indian fugitive, a fugitive from Indian law, justice has received a high level welcome in Pakistan. It is something which is disappointing, let me say, condemnable; but at the same time, as I said, it's not surprising. Now, as to on what passport he went there, I'm not very clear on what papers he went there, we are not very clear; but let me also remind you that when the Prime Minister of Malaysia was here, this particular issue was addressed.
Speaker: Sir, Hindi me bhi (Sir, in Hindi as well).
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Ye humare liye katai aashcharya ki baat nahi hai ki Zakir Naik, ko jo ki ek bhagaude hai Bharatiya kanoon se bhage huwe hai, unko Pakistan ne apne se gale lagaya hai, swagat kiya hai, ucch istar pe swagat kiya hai. Ye nirashajanak baat to hai hi, nindaniya bhi hai, lekin jaisa ki maine kaha ki hume isse koi aashcharya nahi ho raha hai.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] . It is not surprising for us that an Indian fugitive, a fugitive from Indian law, justice has received a high level welcome in Pakistan. It is something which is disappointing, let me say, condemnable; but at the same time, as I said, it's not surprising.
Yeshi, on your question on our participation in the SCO Summit, yes, the External Affairs Minister will lead our delegation to Pakistan to participate in the SCO Summit, which will be held in Islamabad on 15th and 16th, I understand, of October.
As regards his meeting with the Sri Lankan President, that meeting has happened. First, in the morning, he met with his counterpart, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister; and thereafter he called on the Sri Lankan President, where he conveyed the wishes of our President and our Prime Minister, and our deep desire to build on our strong partnership with Sri Lanka, take this partnership forward, do all that we can to strengthen our age-old friendship, relationship, and our warm ties.
Sidhant, on the question of South China Sea, at the policy level, you know what our stand as far as South China Sea is concerned. We stand for freedom of navigation. We stand for freedom of overflight, for unimpeded commerce. We want that all disputes in the region be resolved through peaceful dialogue, and we stand for that international rules-based order be followed, based on UNCLOS, the UN laws. So, that is our position, and in response to your question, we want to reiterate our position once again.
Pranay: Sir Pranay Upadhyaya, Amar Ujala se. Bangladesh me alpshankhyakon ki sthiti ko lekar Bharat ne kai baar apni chinta jatai hai. Is samay Durga Puja ka utsav Paschim Bengal me bhi chal raha hai. Paschim Bengal me bhi hai aur is tarah ki reports aa rahi hain ki kai Durga Puja pandal jo hain waha par zabran vasooli se le kar murtio ko todne ki ghatnaye bhi hui hain. Isko lekar kya Bharat ne Bangladesh ki sarkar ke saath koi mamla uthaya hai? Aur isko lekar Bharat ki kya tippani hai?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, Pranay Upadhyaya from Amar Ujala. India has expressed concerns several times regarding the situation of minorities in Bangladesh. Currently, the Durga Puja festival is being celebrated in West Bengal as well. Reports are coming that incidents of forced extortion and vandalism of idols have taken place at several Durga Puja pandals in Bangladesh. Has India raised this issue with the Bangladesh government? And what is India's comment on this matter?
Padma: Padma Rao, freelancer. Sir, I had a follow up to Sri Lanka actually. There is an IMF delegation which happens to be in Sri Lanka at the same time. So I was wondering, since India was a guarantor for Sri Lanka at that level, whether there is any interaction planned between Foreign Minister Jaishankar and the IMF? Thank you.
Krishna Mohan: Krishna Mohan Sharma, Bharat Express se. Mera sawal bhi Bangladesh se hai. Jis tarike se kuch envoys ko bulaya gaya hai, wapas kiya gaya hai, to aisa to nahi lagta ki Bharat ke saath wo apne sambandho ko aur jyada saral karna chahate hain.
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Krishna Mohan Sharma from Bharat Express. My question is also on Bangladesh. The way some envoys have been called back, does it not seem that they want to simplify their relations with India even further?
Madhurendra: Sir Madhurendra, main News Nation se. mera sawal LAC ko lekar hai ki pichhle dino jab Dr. Jaishankar aur Wang Yi ki baatchit hui thi, uske baad ye ek mahaul bana tha ki disengagement ka process teji se chalega. Lekin haal hi me Indian Army ke Chief ne jo bayan diya, usme saaf taur par kaha gaya ki sthiti tanavpurna hai, aur jabtak poorvvarti sthiti bahal nahi hoti tab tak operational ready rahenge. To kya diplomatic channel pe jo baatchit ho rahi hai wo ground pe translate nahi ho pa rahi? Kya vastu sthiti hai?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Madhurendra from News Nation. My question is related to LAC, that recently when Dr. Jaishankar and Wang Yi held discussions, there was a sense that the disengagement process would move with speed. However, according to the recent statement by the Indian Army Chief, the situation remains tense, and they will remain operationally ready until the earlier situation is restored. So, is the dialogue going on through diplomatic channels not translating on the ground? What is the real situation?
Bramh Prakash: Sir main Bramh Prakash Dubey, News India se. Mera sawal hai Bangladesh me haal hi me kuch tasvire aai hain ki Nav Durga ke shuru hote hi waha jo hai murtiya hai Durga ki wo todi gai hain. Usko lekar Bharat ki kya pratikriya hai, kyunki waha par kai logo ne tyohar manana bhi band kar diya hai, is tarah ke khabarein bhi aa rahi hain, dar se? Thank you.
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Bramh Prakash Dubey from News India. My question is regarding some recent pictures coming from Bangladesh, where, with the start of Nav Durga, idols of Goddess Durga have been vandalized. What is India's response to this, as there are reports that many people have even stopped celebrating the festival due to fear? Thank you.
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. First, Pranay aur Bramh apka dono ka sawal ek hi hai ya ek jaisa hai. Jaisa ki aap jante hai jaha tak alpsankhyako ki baat hai, hum logo ne kai ek dafa aur humare yaha se uchch star pe bhi hum logo ne is baat ko kaha hai ki jo waha par alpsankhyak log hain, jo minority varg ke log hain, unki surakhsa honi chahiye. Aur hum chahte hain ye humara expectation hai ki waha ki sarkar humare jo minorities varg ke log hai, jo alpsankhyak hain, unko suraksha pradan karenge. Aur jo bhi unki zarurate hai unko pura karenge.
Jaha tak Durga Puja, Dussehra ka sawal hai, jaise maine kaha ki is prakar ki ghatna jo hoti hai wo thik nahi hoti hai, acchi nahi hoti hai. Hum log chahenge ki Durga Puja ka jo sandesh hai wo bahut ek sukhad sandesh hota hai, aur aise mauke par hum sabhi log jo Durga Puja manate hain, unko humari taraf se bahut saare vishesh shubhkamnaye dena chahenge, yaha par, dusre anya desho me, duniya ke har kone kone me. Ye tyohar sabke jiwan me khushhali le ke aaye, dher saari khushiya le ke aaye, yehi humari chah hai, aur hum sab ke liye yehi chahte hai. Saath me yeh bhi main kahena chahunga ki hum logo ne jo baat kahi hai ki minorities ki surakshya jaruri hai, to usi me nihit hai jo humari baat Durga puja, Dushehra ki baat hai, wo bhi usme nihit hai.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Okay. First, Pranay and Bramh, both your questions are the similar. As you know, when it comes to minorities, we have said multiple times, even at high levels from our side, that the minorities there should be protected. And we expect that the government there will provide security to the people of the minority community and fulfill their needs. Regarding Durga Puja and Dussehra, as I mentioned, incidents of this kind are not right, they are not good. The message of Durga Puja is one of happiness and on such occasion, we would like to extend our best wishes to all those celebrating Durga Puja, not only here but in other countries, in every corner of the world. We hope this festival brings prosperity and happiness in everyone's life. That is our wish, and we wish this for all. I would also like to say that when we talk about ensuring the security of minorities, it inherently includes our concerns regarding Durga Puja and Dussehra as well.
Padma, your question regarding IMF delegation, I am not aware if our Minister is meeting the IMF delegation. If we have that interaction, we will surely let you know what transpired, what was the discussion. But as I understand, our External Affairs Minister met the Foreign Minister and thereafter, he has met the President of Sri Lanka, he called on him.
Krishna Mohan ji, dekhiye kisi bhi desh me koi raajdoot ho us desh ka, humlog bhi jaate hai bahar me, wo to humare sarkar ke upar hota hai, toh waise hi Bangladesh ki sarkar ke upar ye hai ki wo kisko raajdoot bheje, kis ko high commissioner banaye, wo unka apna mamla hai. Humne bhi dekha hai kai ek report kahi dekhi hai ki kuch raajdoot unke unhone apne unka sthanantaran kiya hai, unko wapas bulaya hai. Ye unka apna nizi mamla hai.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Krishna Mohan ji, see, in any country, whether it's ours or any other, when it comes to Ambassadors, we also send Ambassadors abroad. It's up to the government to decide. Similarly, it's up to the Bangladesh government whom they appoint as their Ambassador or High Commissioner. That's their internal matter. We've also seen some reports that they have transferred or recalled some of their Ambassadors. This is their internal matter.
Madhurendra, apka sawaal Bharat China ko le kar hai. Dekhiye jaha tak jo bhi Bharat aur China ke beech me jo baatchit chal rahi hai border ko lekar, simawarti ilako ko lekar, waha pe shanti bahal karne ko lekar, uske bare me hum samay samay par apko avgat karate rahe hain ki humari kya baatchit chal rahi hai, kya development ho rahe hain, khaskar WMCC mechanism hai uske tahat. Humare Videsh Mantri ne is baat pe bhi apni baat rakhi, abhi haal hi me New York me Asia Society jab unki waha par ek goshti hui thi waha par ek conference tha, usme unhone rakhi thi apni baat. To jaha tak Bharat aur China ka sawal hai, main kahunga, rishto ka sawaal hai aur jo chal raha hai simawarti ilako ko lekar, jo baatchit chal rahi hai usko aap, jo hum logo ne abhi tak kaha hai aur jo humare Videsh Mantri ne kaha hai usi ko, wahi sthiti hai humari abhi dono desho ke bich ke rishto ki. Usse jyada mere pas abhi, aaj aap logo se share karne ke liye, aapse sajha karne ke liye mere paas aur chije nahi hain.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhurendra, your question is about India-China relations. As far as the discussions between India and China on border areas, and restoring peace there, are concerned, we have been keeping you updated time to time about what discussions are taking place and what developments are happening, especially under the WMCC mechanism. Our External Affairs Minister has also expressed his views, recently during a Conference at the Asia Society in New York. So, regarding India and China relations, and the ongoing discussions regarding the border areas; the situation is what we have previously stated and what our External Affairs Minister has said. Beyond that, I do not have anything additional to share with you at this point of time.
Bramh Prakash ji apka bhi sawaal, maine jawab de diya. Pranay ka jawab aur apka jawab, dono ka ek hi tha.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Bramh Prakash ji, I have answered your question as well. Answer to Pranay's question and your question was same.
Avinash: This is Avinash from the Asahi Shimbun. Sir, Japan's Prime Minister, Mr. Shigeru Ishiba, has talked about Asian version of NATO. So what does India think about it?
Sudhi: Sir, thank you, Sudhi Ranjan Sen from Bloomberg. Sir, on the Foreign Minister's visit to Sri Lanka, can you give us an understanding whether the Foreign Minister discussed the Indian projects in Sri Lanka? Because, we understand that those are under review. And if so, what is the kind of response we have got? And also, on Sri Lanka, sir, we have heard the Foreign Minister during the elections talk about the Katchatheevu Islands and India's sovereignty. Was it raised to the new government in Sri Lanka?
Srinjoy: Sir, on the 15th of September, in the morning, there were two Ground Commanders’ Conferences between Indian forces and the Chinese forces, one in the Vasundhara Gap and the other also close by. Now, between the 13th and 16th, there were four other meetings, not just in Ladakh but also in Sikkim and Arunachal. Now, if you could kindly tell us what happened at the meetings and if these meetings are part of a larger plan?
Suhasini: This is Suhasini Haidar from The Hindu. To begin with, your announcement that it would be External Affairs Minister Jaishankar leading the delegation for the SCO Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad. I just wanted to ask if External Affairs Minister will have any bilateral meetings, particularly with his Pakistani counterpart. The second question is really about what you said on Mr. Zakir Naik being in Pakistan. Earlier, when we had asked about whether the issue was raised with the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his visit to India, we hadn't actually got a confirmation. So thank you for telling us that it had been raised specifically. Could you tell us at what sort of level you have taken up the concerns about Mr. Naik's visit to Pakistan, particularly as it seems to coincide with Mr. Anwar Ibrahim's visit in Pakistan as well? And just a last clarification, the MEA Press Release says that Mr. Muizzu is coming on October the 6th, whereas you said October 7th, so I just wanted to what date his arrival is.
Vishal: Sir main Vishal Pandey hu, ABP News se. Mera sawal ye hai ki kya Iran aur Israel ke bich me jo tanav badh raha hai, isko kum karne ke liye Bharat koi prayas kar sakta hai, kyunki jo aarthik halaat hain uska asar Bharat pe bhi pad sakta hai, kacche telo ke daam badh rahe hain. Aur iske saath hi Pakistan ko lekar, SCO ko lekar jo apne announcement ki hai, kya Videsh Mantri ka daura Bharat Pakistan ke rishto ke bich kuch sudhar laane ke prayas ke taur pe dekha jaye?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Vishal Pandey from ABP News. My question is whether India can make any efforts to reduce the rising tension between Iran and Israel, as the resulting economic situation could also affect India, especially with rising prices of crude oil. Additionally, regarding Pakistan and the announcements you have made regarding SCO, can the External Affairs Minister's visit be seen as an effort to bring some improvement in India-Pakistan relations?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Avinash, your question regarding the comments of the Japanese Prime Minister, I need not reiterate but our External Affairs Minister has already spoken on this matter and clarified what our position on this particular issue is.
Sudhi, on the visit of the External Affairs Minister to Sri Lanka, he's gone there, the visit is for today, he went there in the morning, he'll be returning in the evening. He has met the Foreign Minister, he's also called on the newly elected President of Sri Lanka. He has reviewed the relationship, I guess, all aspects of the relationship in his engagement with the Foreign Minister, and assured support to Sri Lanka's economic rebuilding; and also that we want to advance this relationship in keeping with our ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy, as also our larger vision of our SAGAR Policy. So, we will be sharing with you a readout of his visit as it concludes. He has several other engagements to follow during the day. On your specific question, I do not have an answer for that, but overall the visit is going on very well.
Srinjoy, regarding your question on the meetings that have happened, I don't have a readout of these meetings, but I will surely let you know if those meetings have happened and what are the kind of conversations that have happened; but we have kept you informed of the progress that has happened in our talks with China in the WMCC mechanism and also Military to Military level talks that we've had.
Suhasini, at this point in time, what I can say is that External Affairs Minister is leading our delegation to the SCO Summit. What will be his participation plans like in the meetings; I don't have a clear idea at this point in time, but surely closer to the meeting, we will be sharing with you what are the kind of engagements he will have. On the other question regarding President Muizzu, he will be arriving here on 6th evening, but the visit itself starts… because it's a State visit, he'll arrive a day prior and the State visit is from 7th to 10th of October. We will be issuing a Press Release also, post this Press conference so you'll have those details with you.
Vishal apka sawaal Iran aur Israel ke masale ko lekar hai. Dekhiye, ispe hum logo ne apna bayan diya hai, apna kathan diya hai aur apne dekha hoga ki humare bayan me hum logo ne waha jo suraksha ke halaat hain, uspe gaheri chinta jahir ki hai. Aur fir se humne aagaaj kiya hai ki sabhi paksh waha saiyam se kaam le aur humne ye bhi jor diya hai ki is halaat me ye jaruri hai ki waha ke jo aam nagrik hain, unki suraksha, unka hit atyant aavashyak hai. Ye bhi jaruri hai ki is masle ka ek kshetriy roop na le aur humara paksh ye bhi hai ki sabhi mamle ko baatchit se suljhaya jaye aur raajnitik pehel ke dwara usko suljhaya jaye. To yehi humne, ye hai humara position hai apke sawal pe. Jaha tak SCO ka sawal hai, ye jo daura jiske bareme humne abhi baat ki Videsh Mantri ka jana Islamabad, wo Shanghai Cooperation Organization ki Summit meeting ko le kar hai. To humara jo pahel hai wo SCO, ye jo daura hai, wo SCO meeting ke liye hai. Is se jyada aap uske bareme me na soche.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Vishal, your question is about the issue between Iran and Israel. Look, we have issued our statement on this matter, and you must have seen that in our statement, we have expressed our deep concerns about the security situation there. We have reiterated that all parties should exercise restraint, and we have also emphasized that it is essential in such situation to ensure the safety and well-being of the common citizens in that region. It is also important that this issue doesn't take a wider regional dimension, and our position is that all matters should be resolved through dialogue and political initiatives. So, this is our position regarding your question. As for the SCO, the visit we discussed by the External Affairs Minister to Islamabad is related to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit meeting. Our focus is on the SCO; this visit is for the SCO meeting. Please do not think about it beyond this.
Ajay: Good evening. Sir I am Ajay Banerjee with The Tribune. I will take forward Ms. Suhasini Haidar's question or the other way round. Has Pakistan sought a meeting with us?
Abhishek: Hi sir, Abhishek Jha this side. My question is, Israel has banned United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and that, kind of, sounds historic. Do we have any comment on this?
Pranay: Sir, Pranay, Amar Ujala se. Pakistan ke Raksha Mantri Khawaja Asif ki taraf se haal hi me ek bayan tha, jis me unhone ye daava kiya hai ki 14 November ko Oxford ke andar Bharat ke Videsh Mantri ke saath unki ek khuli behes honi hai Kashmir ke mudde ko lekar. To kya ispe confirmation hai, kayas hai, tathya hai ya prayas hai?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, Pranay from Amar Ujala. Recently, there was a statement from Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in which he claimed that he will have an open debate with India's External Affairs Minister on the Kashmir issue on November 14 at Oxford. Do we have any confirmation, or is it a speculation, fact, or an effort?
Keshav: Sir this is Keshav Padmanabhan from The Print. During the External Affairs Minister's meeting today in Sri Lanka, did he raise at any point the moratorium that Sri Lanka has placed on Chinese research vessels that is about to end at the end of this year? Was that raised at any point during the conversation, sir? Thank you.
Divya: Sir, Divya from Indian Express. There was a firing incident earlier this week at the Mexico-Guatemala border on a truck carrying migrants, including Indians. Do we have details of how many Indians were on board and what's the status? And also, additionally, a month ago, we were reading reports of more than 100 Indians being stuck at the Brazilian airport, the Sao Paulo airport. So are they back, or where are they?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Ajay, as far as our participation in SCO is concerned, we have just announced that the External Affairs Minister will be leading India's delegation to the SCO Summit meeting. As the program develops, the visit develops, we'll keep you informed of it.
Abhishek, your question regarding UN Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres is the UN Secretary-General. He's the United Nations Secretary-General for us. What somebody else says about it, what third person says is not our area of outlook or a matter to comment on.
Pranay, aap hi ke madhyam se mujhe pata chal raha hai ki 14 November wali jo baat aapne batai, uske alawa mere pas kuch nahi hai kehne ko.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Pranay, I am learning through you regarding the discussion on November 14 that you mentioned, I have nothing else to say.
Keshav, towards the evening, we will have a complete readout of the External Affairs Minister's visit to Sri Lanka. So I guess you'll have more details fleshed out in our Press Release. So please wait for that.
Divya, on your question regarding what happened, the firing incident that took place on the Guatemala-Mexico border, I understand that there were a group of 30-odd people in which there was one Indian national. The Indian national is safe and sound. Nothing has happened to him and we are in touch with the Mexican authorities for his well-being. I understand that the matter is also under investigation presently, because it was a firing in which few people have been killed. On the Sao Paulo airport, there were people, but there's nobody in the airport right now. So whoever had to go in one particular direction has taken the flight in that direction. Whoever had to return, whoever had to enter the country… so there's no Indian who's at the airport right now.
Suhasini: The Zakir Naik question?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: What was the question?
Suhasini: Did we protest with Pakistan government; also, more details of what we said to the Malaysians, because you hadn't confirmed it at the time when we had come here.
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, as far as Mr. Zakir Naik's matter is concerned, you know that there is an extradition which is pending; we are pursuing that matter of extradition with the Malaysian government. As far as Mr. Zakir Naik's travel to Pakistan, I just made our point, our view very clear on that, that we are not surprised that a fugitive from Indian justice has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is disappointing and condemnable, but as I said, not surprising at all.
Huma: Sir, the MoS is in Mexico. He had a first meeting with the new President. So, was energy security part of the talks? And was the issue of illegal immigrants raised, because the Mexican side has always been expressing concern about the number of Indians trying to cross over into the U.S.?
Manu: Sir, Manu Pubby from the Economic Times. Sir, we welcomed the recent agreement between the UK and Mauritius on Diego Garcia. Can you tell us a bit more of the role India played on this? And what is our position of other such colonial legacies that exist in the Indian Ocean region?
Sandra: Hi sir, Sandra from Deutsche Welle. I am having a question with regard to the visit of our German National NSA. He was in talks with Mr. Jaishankar yesterday I believe in preparation for the upcoming Indo-German Government Consultations. Could you perhaps tell us, because there have been [inaudible], what are the main points that India seeks to raise with Germany during those consultations?
Raghavendra: Ragahvendra Verma from German Television, ZDF. The same question, what would be on the agenda later this month if the conference happens? What are the main topics to be discussed between Germany and India and what India expects from that?
Padma: We've had four different statements on the handing over or the handing back of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius; two statements from the United States, one from India, and a joint statement from the UK and Mauritius. I would be interested in knowing throughout, and I know that India's backed decolonization from the start. But during the final stages, was India involved at any level in multilateral conversations with all these countries and parties involved? Thank you.
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Huma. Our Minister of State, Shri Pabitra Margherita was in Mexico to attend the President's swearing-in ceremony. With Mexico, you know that our relationship is very strong. We have warm ties. We have strong economic ties. We also have other aspects of this relationship which we want to build. So, all those issues were discussed during the visit. As far as energy security and those elements are concerned, yes, those are again important issues for us, bilaterally speaking. As also you talked about illegal immigration, India does not support illegal immigration. You would have followed in the last several years that we are signing mobility and migration partnership with countries across the world to create channels, avenues, for our young people, for our skilled people, for our talented people who are looking for opportunities. Because, we see the world as a global work place where our people can move and can contribute to the skill gaps that are there in the international society, international economy today.
Manu, on your question on Mauritius, you would have seen our Press Release there. We've also stated that we welcome the agreement. It has been something which has been going on. The negotiations have been going on for the last two years, or possibly a little more. Our principal position on this particular issue, you are aware, and it is also mentioned in the Press Release that this particular understanding completes the decolonization of Mauritius. And when it comes to decolonization as an issue, as an international agenda, over the years and decades since the 1950s, India has been a very strong votary of it. And we participated in all these debates and all the efforts that have been made through the United Nations and otherwise for decolonization of many parts of the world. I need not go into history. But yes, we welcome this agreement. And we are happy that this particular understanding completes the decolonization of Mauritius. It is something, the agreement that has happened between the UK and Mauritius, and we have welcomed it.
Also to add, just to reiterate this point, that we have consistently supported Mauritius' claim for sovereignty over Chagos, in line with our principled stand on decolonization over the years.
Regarding upcoming German Inter-Government Consultations, you see, Germany is a very important partner of us, be it trade, technology, skills, education, many other aspects, high technology, political dialogue that we have with Germany is very important for us. It is a very important partner in our engagement with the European Union. So, all these aspects of our relationship would be discussed. We're also talking about Indian Ocean, what we can do together. So, all these issues will be discussed in the IGC. It's a very important, and this is a unique format that we have with Germany, later this month. And the National Security Advisor was here. Yesterday he met External Affairs Minister to go over several aspects of the program, as also the agenda and how both sides can together work to take India-German partnership to a much higher level. Look at the number of companies who are invested in India, German companies, one of the largest that we have as international partners. So, skills, vocation, technology, high technology, investments, green partnership; all these issues will come up for discussion; labour, migration and mobility, we have a large student community in Germany which is also growing, expanding, our S&T collaboration. So, we are very keenly looking forward to the upcoming IGC that will happen in New Delhi.
Raghavendra, that also answers your question.
Gautam: Thank you very much. I'm Gautam Lahiri. This is actually, I'm asking about… recently we are hearing about the revival of SAARC, particularly between the Bangladesh Chief Adviser when he talked to Pakistan Prime Minister, and also met at the sidelines of the UNGA, he reiterated that SAARC should be revived. So what is India's position? I know that Mr. Jaishankar will be travelling for SCO Summit, but he will be in Pakistan, who are also in agreement for revival of SAARC. What is India's stand for revival of SAARC at this point of time?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, on this particular matter, we have told you that we attach deep importance to regional cooperation, to regional connectivity. Therefore, we have given impetus to BIMSTEC. On SAARC, as you know, we want to strengthen regional cooperation, but you are well aware of the reason as to why this particular cooperation in that format is not moving forward. One particular country has a particular way of doing things, which is stalling SAARC. But as far as regional cooperation is concerned, we attach deep importance to it. You would have seen our approach in it through BIMSTEC and other platforms that we have.
With that, we come to the closure. Thank you very much.
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