Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon, friends. Let's begin this press briefing. The floor is open. So, we start here. Yes, Yeshi first.
Yeshi Seli, New Indian Express: Good Afternoon this is Yeshi Seli from The New Indian Express. I would like your comments on the situation in Bangladesh. The Indian government has been talking about the atrocities on minorities and also the arrest of this ISKCON member. And I have a second question. Any update on the eighth naval veteran? It's been close to 10 months now.
Mohd Ghazali: Sir, regarding the Bangladesh issue only that the External Affairs Ministry and the Government of India has been issuing statements but there are groups there who are also asking assistance from the Indian government. So, is there a kind of contingency plan if the situation worsens?
Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print: Sir, Keshav Padmanabhan from The Print. My first question, sir yesterday in the Rajya Sabha, the MOS in an answer said that two Indians have died in Israel, one from an attack in Lebanon and one from an attack from Gaza in May. Can you give us a sense whether these two Indians had arrived in Israel since October 2023, or were they there previously, or were they under the framework agreement? My second question is Sir, can you give us a sense of whether now, after the various agreements with China on patrolling, whether India has got access to all five patrolling points, which were the friction points after all these conversations? Thank you, sir.
Siddhant, Wion: Hi Sir, Sidhant from Wion. Sir, what is your view regarding the security situation in Pakistan? I am asking this question in the context of the Champions Trophy next year. Will India be keen to send its team or not given that the situation in Pakistan looks very precarious?
Rishabh, Times Now: Good evening, sir, Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, has there been any communication between Delhi and Dhaka after the recent violence and the deteriorating situation of law and order given that there have been an open call for intervention from India by various groups in various parts of Bangladesh. Has there been any discussion between Dhaka and Delhi about it?
Zandra, Deutsche Welle: Zandra from Deutsche Welle. There have been reports about a planned meeting in Dhaka at the level of the foreign secretaries. Is that still on under given circumstances? And if yes, has a date been set to that effect?
Ayanangsha Maitra: Sir, how New Delhi is reacting specially on supply of commodities like essentials like potatoes and onions after shipment of first shipment from Karachi to Chattogram?
Sahil, ANI: Sir, I am Sahil from ANI. Sir, will there be any assistance from India for the Hindu minorities there in Bangladesh? Is there any plan?
Indrani: [indiscernible]...that there was a news that in Lalmonirhat, very near to the chicken neck, Bangladesh developed a airbase over there with the economic help of Biden government and the Qatar. What do you think about that? Is that any problematic for India?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: You said Qatar and? Biden and Qatar. Oh, OK. OK. So, Yeshi, first your question regarding Bangladesh, situation in Bangladesh and several of our friends here have asked similar questions. So, on that, I would say that India has consistently and strongly raised with the Bangladesh government the threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities. Our position on the matter is very clear. The interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities. We are concerned at the surge of extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence and provocation. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for the protection of minorities.
You also asked a question regarding ISKCON. We see ISKCON as a globally well-regarded organization with a strong record of social service. As far as the question of the arrest of Shri Chinmoy Das is concerned, we had made a statement on that. And it is our expectation that cases against individuals, as far as they are concerned, these legal processes are underway and we hope and we expect that these processes will be dealt in a fair, just and transparent manner, ensuring full respect of the their legal rights, of these individuals and all those who are concerned.
Your question regarding the Eighth Naval Veteran, we had informed you earlier that he has certain requirements to fulfil. As and when those requirements are fulfilled, he will return back to India. We don't have an update, Yeshi, on this particular Eighth Veteran, over and above what we have been saying earlier.
Ghazali, we have made the our position very clear, as far as the situation of minorities, Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh is concerned and we have raised this matter with Bangladesh that they must take responsibility of protecting the minorities and safeguarding their interests, providing for their safety and security.
Keshav, regarding the two deaths that you mentioned, my understanding is that these pre-date October of 2023, I mean, as in going there, the gentleman, the death that had happened, he had gone there on his own accord, that is what I realized. On the second case, I will come back to you. On the patrolling issue, we have made this very clear that as has been agreed between the two countries, patrolling has begun and there is no issue on that account.
Siddhant, on Indian cricket team participating in Pakistan, the BCCI has issued a statement. So, I would refer you to the statement. They have said that there are security concerns there and therefore it is unlikely the team will be going there. But please do refer to the statement issued by the Board of Cricket Control in India.
Rishabh, your question regarding talks between Delhi and..Yes, we have been raising and consistently raising this issue of law and order in Bangladesh and as I just said before, it is a matter of concern to us and we have been consistently raising this issue with the interim government in Bangladesh.
Regarding the proposed meeting, see these meetings as and when we have them firmed up and we will make an announcement and you will come to know if such meetings are happening at the level of Foreign Secretary.
Ayanangsha, on supply of commodities, my understanding is that supply of commodities from India to Bangladesh continues and likewise trade between Bangladesh and India continues in both directions. Sahil, again, on the question of assistance, we made our position very clear that we continue to raise the matter with the government of Bangladesh that they must take on the responsibility of protecting the minorities in the country.
Indrani had a question about airbase. I mean, these are security issues that pertain to the government of Bangladesh.
Can we go for more? More on Bangladesh? We'll start from there.
Suhasini Haider, The Hindu: This is Suhasini Haider from The Hindu. I wanted to ask about the recent US Department of Justice and SEC indictments of the Adani Group and seven, I think eight officials and all including its chairperson. To begin with, I wanted to ask whether India was informed of these investigations and at what point, any cooperation was sought from India into these investigations? Conversely, has India now that the indictments have been filed, actually asked for evidence to support any investigations in India? Because the crimes committed according to the US foreign corrupt practices have been committed in India, allegedly. So those were my two questions. And also, how the government actually sees a US investigation into alleged bribery and corruption in India being investigated there? Do you see it as a case of US overreach? And just one follow-up, if possible. How do you respond to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry’s statement that essentially says, speaking about the internal legal system, the cases against an individual are an internal matter for Bangladesh? How do you respond to that?
Sudhi Ranjan, Bloomberg: Sir, Shudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. Sir, adding on to Suhasini’s question, if you could give us clarity on whether the warrant or the summons have been served on the Indian High Commission in Washington? And if so, what is then the legal process and by what time do we expect the same to be served on Mr. Adani?
Nayanima, ABP Live: Sir, Nayanima from ABP Live. Just following on Ayanangsha’s question. Is this a matter of concern, how is India viewing it, the first shipment of cargo from Karachi to Chattogram Port. Thank you.
Jugal, BBC: Sir, hi this is Jugal from BBC. I have two questions, sir. We saw that the Chief of Army Staff had visited Nepal earlier this week and it was said to be a highly successful visit after he arrived back in India. The question is, was the issue of the Agni Veer Scheme and Nepal's lack of participation for the Gorkha troops, was that discussed with the Nepalese government and whether it is an ongoing discussion or we are not now into that domain at all. And the second question is, we've seen some reports of Indian workers who are stranded in Maldives as a result of non-payment of their wages and some work visa processing issues. I believe out of nine of them, two or three have managed to return, but the remaining still are stranded. If you could just give us a comment on what the MEA is doing on that case. Thank you.
Sanjay: My question is slightly transatlantic. It's about the tragic death of an Indian woman, Harshita Brella. You know, the suspect is an Indian citizen who has run away from the UK. Has the Indian government received any red-corner notice or any request to sort of pursue the investigation in India?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Suhasini, first coming to question. See, we see this as a legal matter involving private firms and individuals and the US Department of Justice. Obviously, there are established procedures and legal avenues in such cases which we believe would be followed. The Government of India, so far, to answer your question, we have not been informed in advance on the issue. We have not had any conversation also on this particular matter with the US Government. Also related question came from Sudhi, so I would like to inform you that any request by a foreign government for service of summons or arrest warrant is part of mutual legal assistance. But such requests are examined on merits. We have not received any request on this case from the US side. This is a matter which pertains to a private individual and a private entity. The Government of India, we are not, legally, we are not part of it in any manner, at this point in time. So, we see it as a case between the US Department of Justice and private individuals and entities.
On the question regarding Bangladesh, on the arrest of Chinmay Das, we had issued a statement and it is our expectation that while we know that the case moves on, legal processes are underway, it is our expectation that he will get fair and transparent trial and that his legal rights will be respected. Sudhi, I answered your question on warrant.
Nayanima, again to Ayan's question, as far as we are concerned, there is exchange of commodities between India and Bangladesh and that continues.
Jugal, to answer your question, Chief of Army Staff, yes, he visited Nepal. It was a good visit, fruitful visit, several aspects of our ongoing cooperation were discussed. Whether exactly this particular issue was addressed or not, I am not certain, but I can come back to you on this particular matter. On Maldives, the issue of non-payment, our Mission there, our Embassy, we have not received any request on this account as yet.
Kallol, The Hindu: Kallol from The Hindu sir. Of course, India has a position, you know, when it comes to say political activists commenting on Indian affairs from say Canada and other countries, we have traditionally opposed it. But yesterday we saw Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League carried her comments on all the platforms of the Awami League. And, you know, she openly criticized the interim government, called it a failure on multiple fronts. Do you think Sheikh Hasina's presence here and this sort of activism is detrimental to Indian interest?
Aparajit, China Daily: Aparajit sir, from China Daily. Next year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and China, both sides agreed to organize some commemorative events. Can you please share some details of these commemorative events?
Brahmprakash, News India: Brahmaprakash News India se. Mera sawal China ko leke hai. Sir, Ladakh mein jin points par tanaav chal raha tha China ke sath, usko lekar kya update hai? Kya sthiti samanya hai?
[Question in Hindi Approximate Translation] I am Brahmaprakash from News India. My question is related to China. Sir, the points in Ladakh, of ongoing tension with China, what’s the update on that? Is the situation normal?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Kallol, first to answer your question. Our concerns, Government of India's concerns have been conveyed to the Government of Bangladesh that we expect that they take on the responsibility of ensuring safety and security of the minorities. So, we have conveyed our concerns. That is where I will limit myself, on your question.
Aparajita, regarding your question, you would have seen we had issued after the meeting that happened in Rio between the External Affairs Minister and the Chinese Foreign Minister, we had issued a press release. The press release very clearly says that both countries are going to have Foreign Secretary level and other talks to take forward next steps in the relationship. So, as and when once we are able to have those talks in place, thereafter the next steps will be decided.
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Brahmaprakash ji, aapka sawal China ko lekar hai. Maine pehle bhi kaha hai, kayi dafa ham logon ne kaha hai, ki jab patrolling ki baat hai, uspar jo samjhauta hua hai, uspar kaam ho raha hai, wo progress mein hai. Woh kaam chal raha hai.
[Answer in Hindi Approximate Translation] Mr. Brahmaprakash, your question is related to China. As I have already told before, as we have said several times in the past, that when it comes to the matter of patrolling, whatever agreement has been done, we’re working on it, it is under progress.
Abhishek: Sir, I am Abhishek. I am an independent journalist. My question is regarding Leader of the Opposition's recent remark, where he was comparing Prime Minister Modi with Biden in terms of Prime Minister Modi is also losing his memory. He also recited some example when Biden was apparently prompted by some of his colleagues, when he was apparently forgetting things. So, would you have any comment on that?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: See, on that, as you know that India shares a multifaceted partnership with the United States and this partnership has been built over years of perseverance, togetherness, mutual respect and commitment by both sides. We see such reports or remarks as unfortunate, and they are not in keeping with warm and friendly ties with the United States and do not represent the position of the Government of India.
With that, we come to the closure of this press briefing. Thank you very much.
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