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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (November 03, 2022)

November 04, 2022

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: A very good evening to all of you. Thank you for joining us for this week's media briefing. I have one announcement and then I will be happy to open floor for questions. The announcement is regarding the External Affairs Minister’s visit to Moscow. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation from November 7th and 8th of this month. During the visit, External Affairs Minister will meet his counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation. Discussions are expected to cover the entire range of bilateral issues, as well as an exchange of views on various regional and international developments. External Affairs Minister will also meet Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and the Minister of Trade and Industry, His Excellency Mr. Denis Manturov, his counterpart for the India Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, the IRIGC-TEC. Issues pertaining to bilateral economic cooperation obviously, in various domains, will be discussed. The visit will be in continuation of the regular high-level dialogue between the two sides. External Affairs Minister had last visited Russia in July 2021, followed by the visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to New Delhi in April this year. I'll open the floor for questions.

Sidhant: Sir, the Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was on a visit to Beijing, where there was a joint statement by the Chinese and the Pakistanis mentioning Kashmir, the Chinese side mentioning the UNSC resolution and bilateral pacts. So what's India’s response to raking up of Kashmir, by both the countries?

Yeshi: Hi, this is Yeshi Seli from The New Indian Express. I'd like to know, you know, eight former naval officers have been in detention in Doha for the last three months since August, and there is no news of why they are under detention. I'd like to know.

Kavita Joshi: Sir main kavita joshi hoon Hari Bhoomi Newspaper se, mera sawal sidhant ke sawal se hi juda hua hai, kal jo mulakat hui hai pakistan ke pradhanmantri aur cheen ke rashtrapati ke beech mein, usmein ye kaha gaya joint statement mein ki ek issue to jammu-kashmir ka aaya, doosra issue tha CPEC ke extension ko lekar ke, Afghanistan, jisamein sahamati bani donon desho ke beech mein,Ye bhi kaha gaya, aur aatankwad ke masle par bhi donon ke beech mein batchit hui hai, jisamen cheen ne ye kaha hai ki pakistan ki jo karvai hai abhi tak aatankwaad ko lekar ke usse woh sahamat hai aur donon desh jo hai, aur aatankvaad rodhi jo karvai hai, jaise UN ke level mein hum jo prastav laate hai aatanwaadiyon ko pratibandhit karne ke liye, cheen unko veto karke rokta hai, to us tarah ki jo karvai hai aatankwadi rodhi karvai, uska donon desh politicisation nahi kar rahe hai to ispar videsh mantralay ki kya pratikriya hai ? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir, I am Kavita Joshi from Hari Bhoomi Newspaper, my question is related to Sidhant’s question, in the meeting that took place yesterday between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the President of China, the issue of Jammu & Kashmir came in the joint statement about one issue on Jammu and Kashmir, the other issue was about the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan, in which the agreement was reached between the two countries. It was also said that there has been a conversation between the two on the issue of terrorism, in which China has said that it has so far agreed with the action taken by Pakistan on terrorism, and both countries are not politicising the initiatives against terrorism like resolutions we bring at the UN level to ban terrorists, which China stops through Veto. So, what is the reaction of the Ministry of External Affairs on it?

Ileana: Good afternoon Arindam. Good afternoon, colleagues. Thank you for details on the upcoming visit of Dr. Jaishankar to Moscow. My question is how do you see the main intention of the visit, what are you going to discuss firstly like okay, I heard that you said bilateral issues, international, regional one but what is your intention? With what mood you go there to Moscow? And it's very interesting also that you mentioned that Dr. Jaishankar will meet not only his Russian counterpart, but also Vice Prime Minister of Russia, which simultaneously is the head of Ministry of Trade of Russia. So what does it mean?

Kadambini Sharma: Kadambini Sharma from NDTV India. Abhi kuchh hi der pahle khabar ayi hai ki pakistan mein vahan ke purva pradhanmantri Imran Khan k march mein firing hui hai aur khud Imran Khan bhi injured hue hain, paanv mein unko goli lagi hai, koi pratikriya ispar? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Kadambini Sharma from NDTV India, just a short while ago, news has come that the firing took place in the march of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Pakistan and Imran Khan himself has also been injured, he has been shot in the leg. Any reaction to this?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay, let me take this round of questions. Let me start with, I think Sidhant you raised it and I think Kavita Ji you also mentioned. We have noted that the joint statement that was released following the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to China contains several unwarranted references to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It also mentions projects under the so called China Pakistan Economic Corridor, the CPEC, and it's extension to third countries as I think Kavita was referring to. Look, we have consistently rejected such statements and all parties concerned are well aware of our clear position on these matters. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India and no other country has the locus standi to comment on the same. As regards this so called China Pakistan Economic Corridor, we have consistently conveyed our protests and our concerns to China and Pakistan. CPEC includes projects on the sovereign territory of India, that is under forcible and illegal external occupation. We resolutely reject any attempts to utilize such projects to change the status quo in the area. Any attempts to involve third parties in such activities are inherently illegal, illegitimate and unacceptable and will be treated as such by us. I think that would be a statement.

Kavita ji aapne jiska jikra kiya tha, donon muddon pe maine jawab de diya hai, ismen bhi jaisa aapne kaha CPEC ke baare mein humne apna ravaiya pahle se saaf kar rakha hai iss baarein meine jaisa maine abhi angreji mein kaha ye hamara position hai. Terrorism ke mamle mein jyada detail mein nahi kahunga kyokin woh donon ke beech mein unhonne kya safai unko di hai aur unhone kya kaha hai. hamari jo apeksha hai pakistan se terrorism par ispar toh hum bahut baar dohra chuke apna position or listing ke bare mein bhi jo UN security council ki listing pe bhi humne politicisation ya is tarah ke koi aur nazariye se dekhne se bhi hamane sakht khilaaf kaha bhi hai. Hamara ye manana hai ki har koi listing proposal ko uske dossier ke upar dekhna chahiye, uske facts ke upar dekhna chahiye aur hum bhi chahte hain aur antarrashtriy community mein hum sahmat hai sivay ek-do countries pay aur hum toh yahi doharaaenge. Pakistan ke pradhanmantri ke haal ki jo cheen yatra ke baad ek sanyukt vaktavya jaari ki gayi thi jisamen bharatiy kendrashasit pradesh jammu aur kashmir ke baaren mein kuchh anuchit sandarbh mein kuchh comment kiye gaye the. ye jo so called Cheen Pakistan economic corridor, CPEC jise kahte hai uske tahat projects or tisre deshon ke iske vistar ka bhi ullekh kiya gaya hai unke vaktavya mein. hamane lagatar aise bayanon ko kharij kiya hai aur sabhi sambandhit paksh in mamlon par hamari spasht sthiti se achchhi tarah wakif hai. kendrashasit pradesh jammu-kashmir aur kendrashasit pradesh laddakh bharat ke abhinn aur avibhajy ang hai aur hamesha rahenge, kisi anya desh ko ispar tippani karane ka adhikar nahi hai. abhi jaisa maine kaha jahan tak ki cheen pakistan economic corridor, so called CPEC ka sambandh hai, hamane lagatar cheen aur pakistan ko apna virodh aur apani chintaon se avgat kara rakha hai. CPEC mein bharat ke sovereign territory ke jabaran aur avaidh aur bahari kabje vaale projects shamil hai. hum is kshetra mein status quo ko badalne ke lie aise projects ka upayog karne ki kisi bhi prayas ko kharij karte hain. Aisi gatividhiyon mein teesare paksh ko shamil karne ka koi bhi prayas svabhavik roop se avaidh, nazayaz aur hamein asvikarya hai. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation)

Kavita ji, I have replied on both issues you mentioned, we have already made our stand clear about CPEC, as I just said in English, this is our position. On the issue of terrorism, I will not go in much detail, what explanation he had given to them and what they have said. What we expect from Pakistan on the issue of terrorism, we have reiterated our position many times. We have also said strictly against politicisation or any other similar point of view on the issue of listing at the UN Security Council. We believe that every listing proposal should be looked into as per its dossier, its facts. We also want the same and the international community agrees except one or two countries and we will reiterate this. A joint statement was issued after the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to China, in which some comments were made in some inappropriate reference about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It also mentioned projects under so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its expansion to third countries. We have consistently rejected such statements and all parties concerned are well aware of our clear position on these matters. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India, no other country has the right to comment on it. As I said now, as far as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, so called CPEC, is concerned, we have consistently conveyed our opposition and our concerns to China and Pakistan. The CPEC includes projects in forcibly and illegally and externally occupied areas of India's sovereign territory. We reject any attempt to use such projects to change the status quo in this region. Any attempt to involve third parties in such activities is inherently illegal, illegitimate and unacceptable to us.

Going on to the next issue of I think Yeshi you mentioned on the Qatar story. Look, we have been following developments there on this particular case. I'm always a little hesitant to talk about consular individual cases. But let me just say we are aware of the detention of eight Indian nationals who we understand were working for a private company in Qatar or in that region. Our embassy there in Qatar has been in touch with Qatari authorities. Embassy officials got consular access to the detained Indian nationals and ascertain their wellbeing when they had that consular access. The detained persons have also spoken to their family members on a few occasions. We have requested for another round of consular access and we are following up with the Qatari authorities for this. Our Embassy and the Ministry are in touch with the families. Our Embassy there is making all possible efforts for the early release and repatriation of the detained Indian nationals. For the moment I will limit myself to this.

Before I go to Ileana’s question, Kadambini ji aapne puchha tha Imran Khan ke bare meh, jaise hi main aa raha tha is briefing ke liye, hamne ye report dekhi hai, ye abhi developments hai aur hum ispe nazar banaye rakhenge. abhi mere pass aur jyada details mein kuchh hai nahi kehne k liye. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Kadambini ji, you asked about Imran Khan. As I was coming for the briefing, we have seen this report, these are developments right now and we will keep an eye on it and right now I have nothing more to say on this. This is actually a development that just took place as I was coming to this briefing. This is something that we are closely keeping an eye on, and we'll continue to monitor the ongoing developments. But I don't have anything beyond that to say because it's just a developing story.

Ileana, coming to you as I said, I can reiterate the main elements. This is a visit that is largely with the IRIGC-TEC and that is why of course he's meeting the Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency, Mr. Denis Manturov. He will also take the opportunity to have discussions with his counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. I have always taken the position, I will take the same position today that I cannot prejudge what will be the discussions, but you did mention that what are we looking at? We are looking at, of course, the economic elements because this is part of that economic, cultural, scientific cooperation and also an exchange of views and discussions on political issues, of course, with Foreign Minister Lavrov. As I said, let me repeat. There are two different sets of meetings. One is the meetings of the IRIGC-TEC, as it's called, which is the Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation. Both meetings will be in Moscow and on the occasion, External Affairs Minister will meet his counterpart, His Excellency, Mr. Sergey Lavrov. Thank you. Okay, let me take the next round of questions.

Shashank: This is Shashank Mattoo from the Mint. Sir, India is mostly concerned again, about the second phase with the Khalistan vote that will take place in Canada on the sixth. And the Canadian envoy is very clear that Canada doesn't recognize these things it is private affair, free speech, India’s serious problem with this. So my question is, what specifically does New Delhi want Canada to do on these Khalistan referendums happening? And is it likely to continue to be an irritant in India-Canada ties?

Devirupa: This is Devirupa from The Wire. There have been months of protests in Iran, about the right of attire for women. And you must be aware that yesterday there was an informal UNSC meeting on this whole affair in New York, where the US and the West have talked about removing Iran from the UN Commission for Women for the status of women. One is basically, India has not commented so far on the street protests in Iran and also how would India react to the US proposal on removing Iran from the UN commission?

Brahm Prakash: Brahm Prakash hoon Zee News se, mera sawal hai ki videsh mantri ki roos yatra ko lekar jis tarah se abhi yuddh ki sthiti bani hui hai, Ukraine crisis chal raha hai, isko lekar lagatar america or european countries maang karte rahe hain ki bharat ko ismen mukhya bhoomika nibhana chahiye, kyokin bharat ke rishte achchhe hain roos ke sath. To is yatra mein Ukraine sankat ko lekar koi batchit hogi? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) I am Brahmprakash from Zee News, my question is regarding the Foreign Minister's visit to Russia, the way the situation of war is going on right now, Ukraine crisis is going on. America and European countries have been constantly demanding that India should play a major role in this because India's relations with Russia are good. So, will there be any talks about the Ukraine crisis in this visit?

Meghna Dev: Meghna Dev DD News se, Sir pichli advisory jo aai thi Ukraine mein jo students vapas ja rahe hain, to iske baad kya abhi bhi students ja rahe hain, reports mein aisa tha ki kuchh bachche vapas nahi aana chahte hain aur unhone advisory ko seriously nahi liya hai, to kya usake baare mein kuchh comments? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Meghna Dev from DD News, Sir the previous advisory regarding the students going back to Ukraine, are the students still going back, it was in the reports that some students do not want to come back and they have not taken the advisory seriously, so are there any comments about it?

Akhilesh Suman: Sir, I’m Akhilesh Suman from Sansad TV. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also talked to his counterpart recently in Russia and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar is going and naturally I think Ukraine issue will come up in the discussion and in between Russia accused Ukraine for preparing Dirty Bomb. So in this situation, India has had any contact with Ukrainian authority or any official or unofficial engagement with Ukraine so that some solution can be find out about the sustainment between Russia and Ukraine?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: No, you need to frame it tighter. I'm not going to answer your question, but anyway, I'll give a comment, but it may not answer you. Okay. I think I'll take this round of questions.

Akhilesh Suman: My concrete question is that have you been having any contact with the Ukrainian authorities?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Let me start with you Shashank. Look on the issue of the so called Khalistan referendum. I think we've made our position clear a couple of times, you mentioned and so, let me just start at that point. Our position on the efforts by anti-Indian elements to hold the so called Khalistan referendum is well known. That's been conveyed to the Canadian government, both in New Delhi and in Canada. You also referred and let me reiterate that the Government of Canada has conveyed that they respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India and they will not recognize the so called referendum, which is to take place, I think, in two parts in Canada. The Canadian High Commissioner here and the Deputy Foreign Minister, I think reiterated this perspective earlier this week in separate statements. However, let me also reiterate what we said last time, which is that we find it deeply objectionable that politically motivated exercises by extremist elements are allowed to take place in a friendly country. And you are all aware of the history of violence in this regard. And we will continue to press the Government of Canada in this matter, will call upon them to prevent anti-India activities by individuals and groups based in their country and to designate a terrorist, under their law, individuals and entities who have been declared as terrorists under our law. So that gives you a sense of what we would really like them to do.

Devirupa on the Iran, I think I answered this a couple of briefings ago. I think some other journalists asked. I don't have real comment on the developments in that country. I don't have anything to share with you on that. I think that was asked in the context of HRC you are asking me in the context of a UN Security Council meeting, as you said the informal meeting, I don't have anything to share on that. As regards the US proposal, Yes, we've seen media reports on it. Hypothetical at this stage, we will take decisions on resolutions or proposals based on what is on the table and our holistic perspective. So I don't have a statement or position yet on that.

Bramhaprakash ji apane jikra kiya ye external affairs minister’s visit, roos mein jayenge Ukraine ki baat aayegi, uthegi ya nahi?. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Brahmaprakash ji, you mentioned this External Affairs Minister’s visit, will go to Russia, the Ukraine issue, will it arise or not? Look, I won’t again like to comment on what they will discuss. I don't want to prejudge what they'll discuss or rule out or rule in what they might discuss. All I would say is that yes, they will, as I said in my opening statement, which I'll go back, which is that we expect that they will exchange views on various regional & international developments and I'm not going to speculate beyond that. As regards the dirty bomb, I didn't get your question. Let me just mention that we have a functioning Embassy in Kyiv and of course we are in touch with Ukrainian officials. I don't know if they discuss this kind of specific issues and nor am I going to be able to comment on that but yes, we are in touch with Ukrainian authorities through our Embassy there for sure.

Meghna ji aapka prashn tha students ya Ukraine mein kya situation hai, aapne hamari advisory jo do advisories hamari embassy ne vahan di thi, aapko malum hoga uske baare mein. hamen gyat hai ki kuchh students vahan vapas gaye the, vo vahan pe isliye hamane advisory jaari ki thi aur par ab vo kya karte hain dekhiye, hamara jo kartavy hai Indian government ki taraf se Indian nagarikon ki taraf ki hum unko batayen, satark karen kya situation hai. Hamara kehna hai ki wo nikal jaaye waha se, aage wo kya kare ye unki decision hai, hum force to nahi kar sakte. Hamari asha hai ki sab safe rahe, situation normalise rahe aur bigde nahi situation. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Meghna ji, your question was regarding students and what is the situation in Ukraine, you know about the two advisories that our embassy issued there. We know that some students went back there, that's why we issued an advisory, but what do they do now, see, it is our duty on behalf of the Indian government to tell them, to alert them what is the situation. We believe that they should leave, but what they do is their decision, we can not force them. We hope that everyone remains safe, situation remains normalised and doesn’t get bad. Okay, I will open it up for further round of question.

Shailesh Kumar: Sir, my name is Shailesh Kumar. I'm from National Defence. Recently, sir, Ek incident hua jisme Chinese PLA soldiers, they transgressed into Indian Territory in Demchok area. jahan pe ye jo jolaling karke jagah hai demchok mein jahan pay chini soldiers jo hain 25 yak hamare bharatiyon ke le gaye jo herders the vahan pe aur vo vapas nahi kiya aisa samjha jaata hai aur vahan pe jo local girls thi jo rehte hai residents woh unke pichhe bhage bhi but woh yak le gaye aur usake baad chunki aisa maana ja raha hai ki wo area hamare under mein hi tha, hamare jo grazers the woh apne yak ko charate the, uske baad jo hai woh kafi andar aa gaye aur us area mein jamen hue hai lagbhag-lagbhag kehte hai ki 8 km unhone andar mein buffer zone bana liya. iss baarein mein sthiti spasht karne ki request karunga aapse aur kyaa hamane ye mudda uthaya hai cheen ke sath aur abhi agla round kab hone vala hai sir border talk pay or special representative talks bhi hoti thi, 2020 ke baad sambhavata hui nahi hai abhi tak 23va round kab hoga Sir? agar uspar kuchh bata payen? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir my name is Shailesh Kumar. I am from National Defence, sir recently there was an incident where Chinese PLA soldiers they transgress into Indian Territory in Demchok area. This is the place of Jolaling in Demchok where Chinese soldiers took away 25 yaks of Indian herders and it is understood that they did not return them. The local girls who lived there also ran after them but they took away the yaks. Since it is believed to be our area and our people used to graze their yaks. They came far in and are still in that area, and have created 8 km of buffer zone inside. I would request you to clarify the situation in this regard and have we raised this issue with China and when the next round of border talks is going to happen. There were special representative talks also, which were not held after 2020, when will the 23rd round be held Sir? If you can tell something about it?

Rajesh: My question is similar to previous question, during Foreign Minister Jaishankar’s visit to Russia, will there be any discussion about stopping Russia Ukraine war? Thank you.

Srinjoy: Sir, Srinjoy, Times Now. Sir the latest report says that Imran Khan has been hit by three bullets in his leg. So that is the exact situation. He is injured lost a lot of blood, he is in hospital. So if there's anything additional you want to add to your earlier comment, please do so.

Abhishek: Hi, sir Abishek from CNN News 18. There are reports of some Swedish and German nationals in Assam who were on tourist visa and they started this religious preaching and apparently they have been deported or they have been detained. If you could throw some light on this.

Vineet Dixit: Vineet Dixit from NewsGate. Mujhe kuch aur details chahiye jo aapne kaha ki khalistaniyon ka jo referendum ho raha hai 2nd phase jo 7 ko hoga. Declare them as terrorist and then you have called them to prevent such activities to the Canadian authorities. kuch aur details hai ki kitne logo ke baaren mein ham logo ne, abhi tak koi list di hai ki kitne logo ko declare kiya gya terrorist abhi tak kaun-kaun se ham logo ke hisab se abhi sandigdh log anti-India activity mein kaam kar rahe hain. (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Vineet Dixit from NewsGate, I need some more details which you said that on khalistani referendum’s 2nd phase which will be on 7th. Are there some more details that we have given a list about how many people, so far, how many people should be declared terrorists. So far, according to us, which suspicious people are still working in anti-India activity.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Shailesh ji aapne kaafi statements di main isme comment nahi kar paaunga, i think Ministry of Defence would be better placed ki aap kitne door aye, kahan ayen mujhe doubt hai hamne position jis tarah se aap jante hai vahan pe tainat hai sena aur main isme maanne ke liye taiyar nahi hoon ki kitne kahan aa gaye isme line of actual control ke kahan pe perception hai, so ye mudda complicated hai or media reports par main aise comments nahi karunga. maine bhi media reports mein hi ye dekha tha par agar aap exactly janana chahte hai usmein kya hua developments I think hamare defence forces se aapko poochhana padega uske baaren mein, par aapne generally ek comment pucha tha ki kya hone vala hai, dekhiye, hum koshish to yahi karte hai ki LAC ko strict observe kiya jaye, hamara jo perception hai aur both sides usko respect karen aur koi unilateral change na ho. Aapne puchha 25th meeting WMCC ki hui thi, 14 October ko hui thi hamane ek Press Release bhi nikali thi uske baad, usmen ye decide kiya gaya tha 17veen round senior commanders ki early date par hogi, abhi mere pass koi bayaan, koi update nahi hai uske baren mein, kuch update hoga to jarur aapse share karenge. aapne special representatives ke baaren mein kaha, koi abhi aisa koi date nahi hai share karne ke liye. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Shailesh ji, you gave a lot of statements, I will not be able to comment on it, I think Ministry of Defence would be in better place on how far they came, where did they come, I doubt it. We have positioned the army the way you know and I am not ready to believe where and how they have come in this line of actual control, where is the perception, so this issue is complicated and I will not make such comments on media reports. I also saw this in media reports, but if you want to know exactly what happened in it, I think, you have to ask our defence forces about it. But you generally asked a comment about what was going to happen. See, we try to strictly observe LAC, respect the perception by both sides and there is no unilateral change. You asked that the 25th meeting of WMCC was held on 14th October, we also issued a press release, after that, it was decided that the 17th round of senior commanders will be on the early date, right now I have no statement, no update about it, if there is some update, then I will definitely share with you. You said about the special representative, there is no such date to share right now. I think Minister of Defence would be in better place.

Rajesh I have a simple answer to you. I wish I could read a crystal ball. I have no idea what they will discuss. Our position on the conflict in Ukraine is pretty clear. I don't know if I need to repeat it again. We have always emphasized on the need for return to dialogue and diplomacy. I'm sure that External Affairs Minister would certainly be reiterating. But beyond that, I cannot say what they will discuss or what not.

Srinjoy as I said this was a developing story as I walked in, I don't have anything else to share. I certainly don't have any additional information sitting here. We will closely follow developments on this ongoing story. Abhishek, I saw some media reports on this. Look deportation and immigration these issues are not directly under us. So I would refer you to the concerned authorities and Home Ministry or the Bureau of Immigration on if, why, how many, so I don't have anything particular to share.

Vineet ji aapka prashn tha about details, nahi mere pass aur details hoti to main aapko jarur share karta, mere pass abhi jo share karne ke liye hai maine kah diya. Hamari apeksha Canadian authorities se jo hai, poochha tha shashank ji ne ki hum kya chahte hai, hamare jo concerns kya hai to hamane kaha hai ki aisi anti-India activities roki jaye, aise unfriendly jo activities ho rahi hai ismen violence pahle ho chuka hai aise radicals ko allow nahi kiya jaye jinko hamne terrorist mark kar diya hai uske uppar similarly woh bhi karvai karen, isase jyada details bolna bhi nahi chahiye. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Vineet ji, your question was about details, no, if I had more details now, I would have shared with you, I already said what I have to share right now. Shashank ji had asked the Canadian authorities what we want, what are our concerns, then we have said that such anti-India activities should be stopped, violence has happened before in such activities that are unfriendly. Such radicals should not be allowed, those whom we have identified as terrorists should also take action on them, there are no more details than this.

Okay, I will take a last round of quick questions. I think I saw somebody else for the first time. Yes, please.

Speaker 1: Sir quick question around where does the negotiation with UK on FTA and do we have a new timeline or a date?

Ileana: Does India follow the developments, the situation on the Green deal, which expires on the 19th of November? And what is India's position? So do you see it's important, it's necessary to extend this Green deal, which expires on the 19th of November.

Sidhant: Sir recently a Russian Centre said that there is a nexus between Pakistan and Ukraine when it comes to nuclear weapons or Nukes. What's India's response on this nexus, while this is a bilateral issue between Moscow and Islamabad? India has in the past raised concerns about nuclear proliferation from Pakistan to North Korea in that line.

Shasank Mattoo: Now it has been 18 months without an American ambassador in New Delhi, this has been the longest stretch that we haven't had an ambassador in New Delhi. How is this impacting by our relations? Of course, there is a robust cooperation between both countries, but at the same time, how does it impact bilateral ties not having an ambassador here?

Abhishek: Sir, Twitter’s new CEO Elon Musk has announced that $8 will be the charge for every blue tick holder. I believe MEA also has a blue tick. So will you be paying for that or have noticed this announcement.

Devirupa: Sir India had issued a statement in August on Sri Lanka.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: What statement?

Devirupa: Sorry, advisory for Indian tourists to Sri Lanka. I just wanted to check if that advisory still stands.

Yeshi: This is Yeshi from The New Indian Express. Who's going to represent India in the COP 27?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Negotiations on the UK FTA. Look on the UK FTA I think we've talked about it a few times on how our perspective is, I guess your question is in the light of the recent changes government in the UK, let me just say that both sides are working sincerely on the FTA. The issue also came up, as you are aware, during the phone conversation between Prime Minister and the new UK Prime Minister. As we have said earlier, the matter of negotiations, of course, is best left to the trade ministers and their teams of officials. So I can't comment on the status. I don't have certainly any new target date. It's just recent days. But as I said, both sides are working on the FTA.

On the Green Deal look, I would make a larger point, Elena, we have been talking about the impact of the high prices of fertilizers, food, as well as energy affecting countries around the world, particularly developing world, the global south and obviously, anything that helps that process in increasing availability, reducing the cost of food, etc., will be welcome development. I don't have a specific comment on the Green Deal as such, because we're not directly involved in it. But we've seen reports that the resumption has happened. So that would hopefully address that aspect.

Sidhant on the larger point, I would agree with you ,Yes, we have expressed our concerns about proliferation of nuclear technology from Pakistan in the past, but I wouldn't like to comment on this general media reports or statements by other people. I think that’s a serious topic on which we would make a comment only after knowing the exact facts of it. Of course, if there is any kind of such Nexus or proliferation, it is a cause of worry, not just for India, but for the international community.

Shashank, yours I'm afraid I don't have much to say it's a choice of the sending state of ambassador or the representatives. But I would make the point that as you have also said that I think we have vibrant ties with the US and they are going from strength to strength. We would of course, hope that that position is filled but it is finally the call of the US side.

Abhishek, yes, we have noted. I don't know if it's formal statement, I don't know what the process is, If that's already in operation, we have only seen the statements about mechanism to have a paid subscription service. We do use Twitter, as you know, and so do all of you. So I could turn the question around to you. But we'll take a decision based on what finally the contours of this subscription service as and when it happens.

Devirupa you asked for the advisory. I think the advisory was not been withdrawn. As far as I'm aware we haven't reiterated it, but we had some concerns at that point. I don't have an immediate update on whether that needs to be reiterated or that just stands we haven't certainly withdrawn it. There were some concerns regarding the situation on the ground, as and when we feel that we need to issue something updated or change it we will certainly do that. And On COP 27, look on high level visits we will announce when we do you know, I don't know who finally will attend as and when we announce that we will share with you. Okay, thank you very much.

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