Ministry of External Affairs Weekly Media Briefing on 31 January 2025

Shri. Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon, friends. Shall we begin this press briefing? I open the floor for questions.

Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print: Thank you, good evening. Keshav from The Print. Sir, I have two questions. Firstly, with regards to the Foreign Secretary's visit to Beijing, there were discussions on the trans-border … the data being shared. I just wanted to know if anything on the dam was raised during this meeting. And the second question is, how many Indian fishermen are currently in Sri Lankan prisons, Sir? Given that there were reports about 30 fishermen arrested over the weekend, plus the incident with the 13 on Monday. So could you give us some clarity on that? Thank you.

Bramh Prakash Dubey, News India: Main Bramh Prakash Dubey, News India se. Mera sawal hai jis tarah se Donald Trump ne abhi BRICS ko ek tarah se chetavani bhare lahje mei kaha hai toh usko lekar India kis tarah se sochta hai dollar mei vyapar ko lekar?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] I am Bramh Prakash Dubey from News India. My question is regarding Donald Trump's recent warning-like statement about BRICS. How does India perceive this in terms of trade in dollars?

Rishabh Madhavendra Pratap, Times Now: Sir, good evening. Rishabh from Times Now. One, what Keshav asked during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Beijing. Did we talk about the settlements that have been made in the Aksai Chin area. And B, sir, Donald Trump, while speaking to reporters onboard from Florida to Washington, said that Prime Minister might be visiting Washington next month, starting tomorrow, February itself. Do we have any update on that?

Madhurendra Kumar, News Nation: Madhurendra main News Nation se. Sir mera sawal PM ke France daure ko lekar hai, ki uski kya taiyariya chal rahi hain, kis tarah ka agende hain? Kya Rafael ko lekar deal bhi sambhavit hai jo ki ho sakti hain? Aur sath hi kya Pradhan Mantri ke America daure par kya koi tippani karna chahenge? kya woh fix ho gayi hai?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhurendra from News Nation. Sir, my question is regarding the Prime Minister's visit to France—what preparations are underway, and what is the agenda? Is a possible deal related to Rafael also expected? Additionally, would you like to comment on the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States? Has it been finalized?

Somya Jaiswal, Republic TV: Sir this is Somya Jaiswal, from Republic TV. Two questions. One, what is the update on Tahawwur Rana's extradition? By when can we expect him in India? Second, the question regarding the Foreign Interference Commission report, on the definitive foreign link in regards to the Nijjar killing case. Now, the Canadian High Commission has gone on to say that the panel is not mandated to probe the killing. What are your comments on that? Thank you.

Shri. Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, first, Keshav, regarding Foreign Secretary's visit, you would have seen our press release. The press release is self-explanatory. It talks about trans-border issues were discussed, river issues were discussed, so I would leave it at that.

Your second question regarding number of fishermen, we have been giving out the numbers at certain interval. I don't have the exact figure with me, but it is available in public domain. What I can tell you is that the last press release that was issued was in regard to 13 fishermen who were apprehended, and 5 of them also sustained injuries, 2 of them seriously and thereafter we had to summon the Sri Lankan acting High Commissioner here in Delhi to convey our strong protest on it.

Bramh Prakash, BRICS ko leke jo hamara najariya hai, pahle bhi is baat pe baat ho chuki hai BRICS ke andar jo bhi decision liya jata hai, jo bhi tay kiya jata hai, aapas mei sab log miljul kar ek consensus ke tahat kiya jata hai. Aur jahan tak dollar ka sawal hai, De-Dollarization ka sawal jiska aapne jikar kiya, uske baare mei hamare videsh mantri ne saaf kaha hai ki hamara koi aisa strategy, koi aisa policy nahi hai.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Bramh Prakash, our stance on BRICS has been discussed before. Any decisions made within BRICS are taken collectively through consensus among all members. As for the question of the dollar and de-dollarization, which you mentioned, our External Affairs Minister has clearly stated that we do not have any such strategy or policy in place.

Rishabh … Foreign Secretary's visit, I would refer you to the press release that we have issued. In fact, it is quite detailed. There are several areas which have been listed out including people-to-people ties, also Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, also about the early meeting in the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss resumption of provision of hydrological data and trans-border river issues. There are several other things that have been listed out including that the two sides will conduct a number of commemorative activities to mark this anniversary. As also specific concerns on economic and trade issues were also discussed, so I would refer you to our press release which gives the sum and substance of what was discussed between the two sides.

On Prime Minister's visit, your question, yes, Prime Minister and President Trump had a telephone conversation some days back, recently. The two sides are working on an early visit of the Prime Minister to the United States to further deepen India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership and specific dates for this visit are still being worked out and will be announced at the appropriate time.

Madhu, France mein AI Summit hone wala hai jispe hum logon ko France ke Rashtrapati ki taraf se nyauta aaya hai Pradhan Mantri ke liye, hum logon ne jaise bataya ki nyauta ko sweekar kar liya gaya hai. Toh wahan par jo AI Summit mei hamare Pradhan Mantri shamil honge. Is daure ke baare mei vistrit jankari aapko jald hi press vigyapti ke mamle se diya jayega, toh main aapse aagrah karunga ke do-char din ke baad aapko aur bhi jankari ispe prapt hogi.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhu, an AI Summit is set to take place in France, for which we have received an invitation for the Prime Minister from the President of France. As we have mentioned, the invitation has been accepted. Our Prime Minister will be attending the AI Summit, and detailed information regarding this visit will be shared soon through an official press release. I would request you to wait for a few days, as more details will be available then.

Somya, you had two questions, one was on the Tahawwur Rana case. You would have seen that on 21st of January the U.S. Supreme court declined a petition from the accused. it looks that his appeal in the matter has been dismissed. We are now working with the U.S. side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai Terror attack. [Audio Gap]

Siddhant: Sir, I have some information regarding few Indians missing in Iran. So if you have some more details about that and also are we in touch with our Iranian friends. Thank you.

William, CNN Taiwan: Good afternoon, sir. I'm William from CNN Taiwan. I would love to ask you, after the Deep Seek already shock the world, and a few days ago the Minister of IT Department told that India is already running our own AI model. So, what do you think any collaboration between India and Taiwan can do?

Smita Sharma: Smita Sharma. If there were plans of facilitating the visit of certain foreign diplomats in Delhi to Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh, is that still on? Has it been put on hold following the accident and tragedy? And any updates further in terms of the Indians who are missing in Russia, the issue that was raised, has the death toll increased with the number of Indians who were serving in the Russian army?

Manash Pratim Bhuyan, PTI: Manas from PTI. The press release that we issued after Foreign Secretary's visit to Beijing did not mention the border row. So, is it that in fact the border issue will be discussed at the SR level talks only and the diplomatic talks, it will not be discussed? Just can you give some clarity on that?

Shri. Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, I have five questions. So let's go one by one. Yeshi, first regarding the proposed visit. You see, all these high level visits, they are decided based on the convenience of both sides and as and when we have an update or something concrete to share, we do share with you. Similarly, in this particular case also, we will take the same approach.

Siddhant, your question regarding missing Indians. Three Indian nationals who had gone to Iran for business purposes are missing. They have gone missing. We are in touch with their family. We have taken up the matter with the Iranian embassy here and with the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran. Both MEA and our embassy, we have strongly taken up the matter with the Iranian government so that we could relocate these people. We could see where they are and so that we can render all assistance to them or to the family. These people had lost touch with their families soon after they landed in Tehran sometime back.

So, I mean, it could be that they are, I don't know, there could be private matters. But we have taken up the issue strongly and hopefully we will get assistance from the Iranian authorities in locating these missing nationals. And we have also asked, requested them to ensure their safety as well.

Yeshi Seli, Business India: Where are they from?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: They are from … three of them … they are from different parts of India and we are in touch with their families as well.

William, your question on AI, of course, you know, we have our own program and we want to further develop that. And in that regard, we are in touch with several of our partners with whom we engage on technology issues, technology collaboration and we would like to further strengthen them.

Yes, tomorrow, I think I understand diplomats will be visiting Kumbh. The number of people who are joining, we will share more details with you as and when we have. We'll have to wait for tomorrow when these people will be going to visit the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.

On Indians missing in Russia, we had said that out of the 18 people, 16 who've gone missing, we are in touch with the Russian authorities who have been declared to be missing to look for them. And of those two people, one was injured, hopefully he's recovering and he'll be back soon and in regard to the other person, we are in touch with the Russian authorities. So, you know, the status remains what I had conveyed to you last time, in regard to the number of people serving in the Russian army issue was discussed.

We had a question from Manas, Manas again, you know, all the issues that were discussed have been put very well in the press release, in fact I am also carrying a copy of that press release here, so I would request you to please go through it. It has several issues … are discussed there. These FS level talks, it's also about discussing all bilateral issues in a comprehensive manner, so that would indicate the answer for your question.

Abhishek: Sir, there have been media reports in UK that claims that government, the Home Ministry of UK was … in its report, has claimed that Hindu extremism is also a cause of concern, a threat and they have placed this Hindu extremism or Hindutva extremism on the sides of Islamist extremism and also the Palestinian extremism. So, do you have any comment on that?

Divya, Indian Express: Sir, Divya from the Indian Express. There were several extradition requests that India had sent to Canada. Have there been any forward movement on any communication on those requests?

Jessica Taneja, DD India: Jessica Taneja from DD India. Given the current circumstances, is the Indian government concerned about the economic situation in Maldives?

Shivam Patel, Reuter: Thanks, sir. Shivam Patel from Reuters. After speaking to President Donald Trump, President Donald Trump told reporters after speaking to Prime Minister Modi that he will do what's right in terms of illegal immigration. Is there any update on that?

Kadambini Sharma, NDTV: Kadambini Sharma, from NDTV. Sir, Congo ko le kar Videsh Mantralaya ka kya assessment hai? Kitne Bharatiya waha par phase huye hain aur jo sena ki tukdi waha par hai uske bare me koi jankari agar ho?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate Translation] Kadambini Sharma from NDTV. Sir, what is the assessment of the Ministry of External Affairs regarding Congo? How many Indians are stranded there, and if there is any information about the military contingent present there?

Shri. Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Abhishek, coming to your matter regarding UK, we have seen some reports on this particular matter. The nature of the separatist and extremist threat out of UK is well known. It should not be condoned and falsely equated. So, that is our response to your question.

Divya, on the extradition request, we have several, I beg your pardon, but I don't have the exact number with me right now. But we have spoken about it, the number of … I think it's 26 extradition requests which are pending. There has been, I don't have any update to share with you.

Jessica, regarding your question on Maldives, we remain in close touch with Maldivian authorities on the situation facing them. Recent agreements that are likely to result in revenue loss for the Maldives government are obviously a matter of concern, and do not bode well for the long-term fiscal stability of the country. We would obviously need to take that into account while framing our own policies.

On illegal migration, last week I had stated our position very clearly. India is firmly opposed to illegal migration, especially as it is linked to other forms of organized crime. As part of India-U.S. migration and mobility cooperation, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration, while also creating more avenues for legal migration from India to the U.S. We are keen to continue this cooperation. At the same time, the Government of India would need to do the required verification, including nationality of the concerned individuals before they are deported to India. Any talk of numbers; you've seen there's a lot of talk about numbers, any talk of numbers at this stage is premature, but I do want to emphasize that cooperation between India and the U.S. is strong and effective in this domain. This will be evident in times to come.

Kadambini, Democratic Republic of Congo mein, waha par hum logon ne dekha ki kuch shahron mein, kuch hisson mein waha par sangharsh chal raha hai. Democratic Republic of Congo mein kariban 25,000 Bharatiya nagarik rehte hain. Jaha ladai chal rahi thi, abhi do din se mere khayal se ladai waha ruka hua hai. Goma sehar mein koi hazar ek Bharatiya nagarik the, usme se zyadatar log waha se surakshit nikal gaye hain.

Humari embassy ne kai ek advisory bhi jaari ki hai, aur saath mein helpline number bhi diye hain taaki kisi ko koi mushkil ho toh wo turant sampark bana sakein. Humara dootawas Kinshasa mein hai, jo Goma shahar se koi 1500-2000 kilometer dur hai, 2500 kilometer dur hai.

Hum lagatar samuday se sampark mein hain, aur ab tak jo khabar mili hai, uske mutabik humare jitne bhi nagarik waha hain, wo surakshit hain. Aur humare samuday ke saath humari embassy lagatar sampark banaye huye hai.

Jaha tak Bharatiya sainik jo UN mein kaam karte hain unka prashna hai, kariban 1200 log waha par jo UN mission chal raha hai, MONUSCO, uske tahat 1200 Bharatiya sainik waha hain, aur unka bhi haal thik hai. Sab log surakshit hain. Aur unke sandarbh mein hum United Nations ke saath lagatar touch mein hain aur waha par jo gatividhiyaan chal rahi hain uspar uske saath baatchit kar rahe hain.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate Translation] Kadambini, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we have observed that conflicts are ongoing in some cities and certain areas. Around 25,000 Indian nationals reside in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the areas where fighting was taking place, it seems that the situation has been calm for the past two days.

In Goma city, there were around a thousand Indian nationals, most of whom have safely evacuated from the area. Our embassy has issued several advisories and provided helpline numbers so that anyone facing difficulties can immediately get in touch. Our embassy is in Kinshasa, which is about 2500 kilometers away from Goma.

We are continuously in contact with the Indian community there, and as per the latest reports, all our nationals are safe. Our embassy remains in regular touch with the community to ensure their well-being.

As for the Indian soldiers working under the UN, there are around 1,200 personnel deployed there as part of the ongoing UN mission, MONUSCO. Their condition is also fine, and all of them are safe. We are in constant touch with the United Nations regarding their situation and are discussing the ongoing activities there.

Rishikesh Kumar, PTI: Sir Rishikesh from PTI. Home Advisor of Bangladesh has stated that they will seek to scrap the existing border agreement, when DG level discussion happened between BGB and BSF. Any comments on that? And my second question is regarding this FS level talks in China. So, have we delinked our border issues with China from trade and other diplomatic relationship? Has the Army Chief, on 13th of this month, January, mentioned that India and China are still in a degree of standoff. So, can we consider our ties with China to be normal now?

John: Thank you, sir. Another question about Bangladesh. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister is paying a visit to Dhaka next month and there were some reports of a recent visit by the Pakistani ISI chief to Dhaka. And my question is, does India have any view or concerns on growing diplomatic or potential defense ties between these two countries? And if so, what are they? Thank you.

Neeraj: Sir, Bangladesh ne Bharat ke saath jo sima par samjhaute hain, unme se kuch samjhauto ko asamaan batate huye use khatam karne ki maang bhi ki hai aur dusra sir abhi videsh mantralaya ke atirikt sachiv jo ki Nepal gaye the waha par varta hui unki aur waha par jo sima karya samuha hai uski baithak kahi samay se nahi huwi hai to usko phir se shayad sakriya karne par baat huwi hai. Toh uske bare mein kya jankari hain?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate Translation] Sir, Bangladesh has demanded the termination of some border agreements with India, claiming them to be unequal. Additionally, Sir, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, who had visited Nepal, held discussions there, and it was mentioned that the border working group meetings have not taken place for some time. There was talk about potentially revitalizing those meetings. What information do you have on this?

Shri. Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. First, Rishikesh, your question regarding the comments made by the Home Advisor. See, the DG level talks between BSF and the Border Guard Bangladesh are scheduled from February 17th to 20th, 2025 next month in Delhi. During which all border related issues are proposed to be discussed. We expect all mutually agreed MOUs and agreements, agreements I would say, to be honored. These form the basis for structural engagements between India and Bangladesh. In fact, between the border guarding forces of the two countries. And these facilitate creation of mutually beneficial security and trade infrastructure along the border. So, our point is, we will be having talks between the BSF and BGB in February, and we expect all mutually agreed MOUs and agreements to be honored.

On the standoff, we had clarified, Rishikesh, that there is, you know, on this particular issue, we had talked about EAM's own statement, so I would refer you to look at that. As far as the Foreign Secretary's visit is concerned, this was a Foreign Secretary level visit, which we have with several countries. And during the visit, all issues of mutual concern were discussed in a comprehensive manner.

John, in so far as developments in our neighborhood, we always keep a close watch on what's happening, and we do take appropriate measures to safeguard our interests.

Neeraj, Nepal mein abhi humare Additional Secretary jo Nepal ko dekhte hain, unka waha ka daura hua hai. Aur uss darmiyan unhone kaafi waha par jo unke aala adhikari hain, unse baatchit ki, ki Nepal aur Bharat ke rishte ko kis prakar se aur pragad aur majboot kiya jaye. Aur anya charchao pe baatchit hui hai. Iske baare mein kuch aur bhi apne technical jankari mangi, uska jawab mere paas nahi hai lekin main yeh keh sakta hoon ki dono desho ke beech mein rishte majboot aur acche hain aur hum is rishte ko aur majboot karna chahte hain. Aur isi ke sandarbh mein yeh jo daura hua tha Additional Secretary ka, abhi abhi karyabhar unhone sambhala hai. Wo Nepal gaye the taki waha par aala adhikari se baat kar ke kis prakar se is rishte ko aur aage le jaana hai, is par baatchit ho sake.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate Translation] Neeraj, our Additional Secretary, who handles Nepal, recently visited Nepal, and during that visit, he had discussions with senior officials there on how to further enhance and strengthen the relationship between Nepal and India. There were also discussions on other matters. You had requested some more technical information regarding this, but I don't have the answer to that. However, I can say that the relationship between the two countries is strong and positive, and we aim to make it even stronger. In this context, the visit of the Additional Secretary, who has recently taken over his duties, was significant. He went to Nepal to have discussions with senior officials on how to further advance this relationship.

With that, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the close of this session. Thank you very much