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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (November 10, 2022)

November 10, 2022

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Welcome back to briefing, this one is our regular weekly briefing. Thank you for staying on from the special briefing that we just had on the visit of Vice President. I have an announcement to make, and then we will take few of the questions that you might have. This is regarding the visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to Indonesia for the G20 Summit. As you heard, Prime Minister had mentioned that he would be visiting Indonesia next week. Prime Minister will be visiting Bali, Indonesia from November 14th to November 16th to attend the 17th G20 Summit at the invitation of the President of Indonesia, His Excellency, Mr. Joko Widodo. During the Bali Summit, G20 leaders will deliberate extensively upon key issues of global concern under the Summit's theme of ‘recover together, recover stronger’. Three working sessions will be held as part of the G20 Summit agenda. As you know, food energy security is one, health is the other and finally digital transformation. At the closing session of the Summit, President Widodo will symbolically handover the G20 Presidency to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. India will, of course formally assume the G20 Presidency from first of December of this year. On the side-lines of the Summit, Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with some of his counterparts, Prime Minister will also address and interact with the Indian community in Bali. So that was our announcement of the Prime Minister's visit. I am happy to repeat although they will probably be on the website of the G20. The three sessions are on food and energy security is one, Health is the second and digital transformation is the third. Okay, questions, please. Okay, let me start with you.

Meghna Dev: Sir, Meghna Dev from DD News. Sir, we heard the news of the fire in Male, what is the situation? It's been reported that some Indians have also died. Is there a number and what are we doing about it?

Sanjay: This is Sanjay from Arab news. My question is regarding the arrest of eight Navy officers in Qatar, what information you have about the reasons they have been detained in Qatar? And what kind of support you are providing them right now? And third question and the last one is about how is it going to impact the bilateral relations between India and Qatar? Thank you.

Sidhant: Sir, we saw earlier this month the so called Khalistani referendum in Canada. India had several times raised this issue over this referendum. Have you raised the matter again, with the Canadians or issued a demarche or perhaps summoned the ambassador as well.

Akhilesh Suman: Sir, this is Akhilesh Suman from Sansad TV. It is about Maldives thing that what according to your own information, that it is a sabotage some type of criminal act or it is just an accident?

Abhishek: Sir, this is Abhishek from CNN News. Sir my question is regarding Zulfiqar Khan who disappeared in Kenya four months ago. There were reports that Indian investigative officers were there and they were doing some collaborative investigation report, if you could update us on the current situation.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sure. Okay, let me start with a very unfortunate incident in Male. I think it was last night. Look, what we understand it is a tragic incident, I don't yet know somebody asked me the details of a tragic incident last night in the city of Male, in Maldives. A fire broke out in a residential building for foreign workers. Some versions say that there was a garage nearby or in the building. We're looking at the details. This building house foreign workers, including Indian citizens, there are reports of a number of deaths due to the fire. As I walked in, I saw that our High Commission there has clarified that local authorities have indicated at least 10 bodies have been found. Local authorities are engaged in identifying the dead bodies. Our High Commission is in close contact with the Maldivian authorities at various levels and of course, our High Commission is extending all possible assistance to the affected Indians and their families. They have also opened a helpline number which you have seen on the Twitter. It's a very, very unfortunate development. But till such time that we are able to identify the dead bodies as Indian citizens, I would not like to comment or confirm how many have passed away, and we would rather wait for our High Commission as well as the local authorities to give a clear indication of how many of these 10 are Indian citizens. So for the moment, this is all I can say, it's a very developing story. But we will certainly be closely looking at what further news that we can share with you as the evening progresses.

You had asked, I think Akhilesh, whether there is a risk of sabotage? Look, I don't think it's appropriate for me to speculate on that this is something that the authorities will do. Initial reports indicate a fire in a building, we will go with that. But there is nothing to indicate either way that there was something more to it. But I understand that the Maldivian government has announced a thorough investigation into it. So let's wait for the details of that as well as let's see all the efforts to rescue whoever else is affected by that. Moving on to the issue, Sanjay, you had raised about the Indians who are in Qatar. Look, I think we tried to address that last week and I'll just give you a slight update on that. Needless to say, we are obviously following this case very closely. Our Embassy in Doha is in regular touch with the local authorities. With regard to further consular access, as I mentioned last week, there was one round of consular access there and also trying to get visit of family members of the detained Indian nationals there. We have, as I said, trying all efforts to ensure that this issue is resolved. You mentioned three parts of your question, what support or what are the charges, look this what you will have to ask the Qatari authorities. I would not like to either speculate or talk about legal issues without knowing the full details. On the support, I mentioned to you that we have been trying to get more access and support to the families as well as to the Indian nationals and your question on impacting on bilateral relations I don't know how that is relevant. I think India and Qatar have very good ties. And I'm not sure individual consular issues impact that unless there is something further to that. At this point. I see no reason to even comment on it.

Dekhiye, jaisa maine abhi kaha ye qatar ke mamle mein jahan pay hamare 8 Indian citizens, bhootpurv sainik vahan pe hain, hamne pehle pichhle hafte isake baare mein kaha tha, iske baare mein kaha tha ki bariki se nazar rakhe hue hai is mudde par, doha mein hamara dutavas is par kaam kar raha hai, hiraasat mein liye gaye bharatiy nagarikon ko, parivar ke sadasyon aur unke pass directly counsellor accesss ki koshish kar rahe hain. aur unaki yatra, family members ki yatra ke sambandh men sthaniy adhikariyon se niyamit sampark mein hain aur hum aasha ye karte hai ki jaldi se jaldi ho paye aur inhone pucha tha ki kis liye unko hirasat mein rakha hai? ye qatar authorities se poochhana theek rahega kyokin ismen legal implications ho sakti hai or bilateral relation mein hamare qatar ke saath relation bahut majboot achchhe hai or koi individual counsellor case aise normally bilateral relations mein aise impact nahi karta hai unless usamein aur bhi koi developments ho, mah abhi aise koi disha mein koi comment nahi karna chahunga jismen mujhe lage ki bilateral relations pe impact ho sake (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) See, as I just said, in the case of Qatar where our 8 Indian citizens, ex-servicemen are there, we had said about it earlier last week, we said about it that we are closely monitoring this issue, our Embassy in Doha is working on it. We are trying to provide direct counsellor access to detained Indian nationals and family members. And regarding the travel arrangements of family members we are in regular touch with local authorities. And we hope to do it as soon as possible and they asked what they have been detained for? It would be right to ask Qatar authorities because it can have legal implications and our relationship with Qatar in bilateral relations is very strong and no individual counsellor case affects such a bilateral relationship normally unless there is any other development in it.

Sidhant you had raised an issue which we have been talking about quite a lot regarding the so called referendum that has been in two parts and I think 6th November, as you yourself mentioned. I have stated our position pretty clearly so I don't want to repeat at length what we have said. But as you are aware on a number of occasions, we have made our objections clear on the so called referendum and the politically motivated exercise by extremist elements there. This has also been conveyed clearly to the Canadian government, both in New Delhi as well as in Canada. And we will continue to raise our concerns with the Canadian government.

Abhishek, you had raised the issue in Kenya, this time and developments there. Look as you are aware, again, we have discussed it earlier, that there are two Indian nationals, Mr. Mohamed Zaid Sami Kidwai and Mr. Mohamed Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, who have been missing in Kenya since 23rd of July. This case remains under active investigation by the Kenyan authorities as far as I understand. An Indian investigation team visited Nairobi, from November 1st to 3rd, they met the Department of Public Prosecution and the Department of Criminal Investigation of the Kenyan government. The Indian team offered to the Kenyan side all help in this case, including assistance in DNA analysis or forensic analysis that the Kenyan side may require to help them carry out their investigations. And we are following developments related to the case very closely. And we are also in touch with the affected Indian families, our High Commission has been in touch with them. So that's the update I would like to share with you.

Next round of questions. You had raised your hand first, then I'll come to you.

Srinjoy: Sir, Times Now, Srinjoy. As you know, there were about 70 or 80 people who are Indians who have been on a ship, and they are stuck in the Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria area since August, and some efforts have also been made by the Indian government to try and get them back. They have been accused of stealing petroleum. What is the state of the situation now?

Shashank: This is Shashank. Sir regarding the Vice President's visit to ASEAN and East Asia. The Australians are sending Prime Minister Albanese, The Americans are sending President Biden and it seems the Prime Minister Modi is the only major coordinate who will not be in ASEAN and at the East Asia Summit. Will this be seen as a missed opportunity precisely because lots of very important bilateral meetings are taking place there?

Prasant: I’m Prasant. Actually, there is a recent news that the sailors who are detained in Equatorial Guinea, they may be moved to Nigeria. So what are the facts of the High Commission on this matter?

Madhurendra: Sir Madhurendra News Nation se, cheen ka jo spy ship Yuan Wang 6 uska movement Indian ocean mein lagatar jari hai jiske chalte bharat ko apane ballistic missile test ke date bhi change karne pade hai, kis tarah se India darhasal is pure movement ko dekh raha hai? isase pahle bhi jab uska spy ship aaya tha Yuan Wang 5 tab bhi hamane protest zahir kiya tha lekin uska koi asar cheen par nahi pad raha hai aur hamare samarik hiton ko lagatar cheen ki taraf se chalenge mil raha hai. (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir Madhurendra from News Nation, China's spy ship Yuan Wang 6 continues to move in the Indian Ocean, due to which India has to change the date of its ballistic missile test, how is India actually looking at this entire movement? Even before this, when their spy ship came, Yuan Wang 5, we had expressed protest, but it is not affecting China and our strategic interests are constantly getting challenge by China.

Eliana: Good afternoon, this is Eliana. What is your assessment of the results of the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Jaishankar to Moscow, and what is interesting is was during the visit, discussed or not the preparations for annual India Russia Summit, because it's usually held in December and we see it's already the middle of November. So do you have information when it will be held and where and in what format by video conference or in person.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you. I will take this round and if I see a few more hands I'll take another round. Srinjoy, I don't know if there are 70 to 80 you mentioned I certainly don't have that kind of numbers in terms of how many people are there. Yes, we are aware of case, there is a consular issue there in Equatorial Guinea. Our understanding is that there are 16 Indian sailors, but these are consular issues I am always hesitant to go into specifics, but at least 16 Indian sailors is what I understand from that ship which has people of other nationalities also. The ship is I think a motor vehicle or MT Heroic Idun, I think is the name of that vessel. Let me mention that our missions in Malabo, which is the capital of Equatorial Guinea and in Abuja of Nigeria, both these missions are closely engaged with their respective local authorities in this case. We are also in touch with the detained sailors. We have actually had several rounds of consular access to these sailors. And we are making all efforts for the early resolution of this issue. In fact, just before I came in, I had a chance to speak to our Charge d’affaires in Malabo. He told me that the sailors are still in Equatorial Guinea. Yes, there were some reports. I think one of you asked about Yeah, Prashant I think you asked about whether they will move to Nigeria? Yes, we also saw some reports that Nigeria has asked them to be sent to Nigeria. But look, I would not like to go into details of legal aspects as of right now they appear to be in Equatorial Guinea and we are as I said in touch with authorities in both Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria to find a resolution to this issue. I would not like to comment on the charges or what is the legal process we will extend all consular assistance we can to these individuals.

Madhurendra ji, aapke prashn ka kis tarah se uttar doon main sure nahi hun kyunki aapne bade saare statements diye jismen main ho sakta hai kisi se bhi sahmat na hoon, aapne kaha hamne date change kar liya hamare ballistic missile kar rahe tab chini ship aa gai, mujhe to ye nahi malum tha, doosra haemin maloom hai ki chini ship kahan hai mujhe nahi pata shayad hamare agencies ko malum ho, fir aapne aur bhi kuchh kaha. Anyway main sirf ye kehna chahta hoon aise muddon par, aise pahle bhi hamne prashn poochha tha jab aise aur ek ship aa gai thi srilanka ke pass mein, par main sirf ye kahunga ki hamare taraf se jo bhi hamen steps lene hote hai hamari security ke liye wo hum hamesha lete rehte hain, hamare authorities hamesha iske baare mein satark rehte hai aur woh aise steps lete hai iske aage kuchh kehna security issue pe theek nahi hoga to isiliye main itna hi kehna chahunga. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation)Madhurendra ji, how do I answer your question, I am not sure because you have given many statements and with which I may not agree with anyone. You said we changed the date of testing of our ballistic missile, then the Chinese ship came, I did not know where the second Chinese ship is, I do not know maybe our agencies know, then you said more. Anyway, I just want to say that questions on such issues have been asked before when another such ship came to Sri Lanka, but I will only say that whatever steps we have to take from our side for our security, we always take it. Our authorities are always cautious about it and they take such steps, it will not be right to say anything further on this security issue, so that is why I would like to say this much only. As I said in the beginning Madhurendra’s questions had lots of statements which I'm not in agreement with. His basic point was about a ship, Chinese vessel, all I can I can say is that look on such issues, government always takes necessary measures to safeguard our security and other interests. And I think on such security issues, we would not like to make any additional comment beyond that.

Eliana you had mentioned about the assessment of the visit of our External Affairs Minister, he had just returned from Moscow on his visit. We had discussed it a bit. I am always happy when External Affairs Minister has a joint press conference like he did Press interaction with the Russian Foreign Minister and I would have to refer you to that. I think EAM in his opening remarks gave a very comprehensive overview of his interactions in Moscow, obviously, as he himself said it's an important relationship, it was a positive visit and they had an opportunity to discuss with Mr. Manturov, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister. A whole entire range of different issues on the economic side that the two countries deal with, with the multi sectoral teams on both sides, and as well as subsequently with the foreign minister had discussed various issues that are of interest. And I liked his perspective of saying that we discussed them from our own vantage points perspectives. I'm not sure I have anything particular to add to that. I certainly would not be in a position to share what they discussed beyond that and whether it is on the India Russia Summit. I'm not sure there's a specific date. You've mentioned correctly that it does take place sometimes in December, but they've been occasions where it takes place and other times. I don't have any update to share on the Annual Summit dates or locations or format at this point.

Shashank, you had asked a question which is already asked. I'm itching to say it I have nothing beyond what Secretary said, which is a safer one, but I will just add, look, participation in various events or high level events is also based on the calendars and availability of our leaders. And as Secretary mentioned, it was decided this time that Vice President would represent India at this important meeting, I don't think that in any way is a downgrading or anything negative should be associated with that. I certainly would not say that is a missed opportunity of our Prime Minister being there or not. I think it's important that India is there at this special Commemorative Summit. And both for these India- ASEAN as well as for the East Asia Summit. And you heard Secretary explained at length, the importance we attach to this visit as well as to this events. And also the bilateral interaction, the engagements that we are looking at with Cambodia and some of the other countries there.

Avinash Aggarwal: Sir, could you please tell me if, during the visit of the Prime Minister to Bali to attend the G20 Summit, some bilateral meetings have also been scheduled or are they being scheduled if you could give us some details?

Kallol: Kallol from the Hindu. Sir, there are reports that President Putin will not be traveling to Bali. So in that context, do you think that's a setback to the G20 that he's not traveling? And also, is it a setback to the dialogue process for the Ukraine crisis?

Sanjeev Trivedi: Sir kal ke adalti faisle ke baad neerav modi ke extradition ke liye aur kaun-kaun si karvai hai uska details jara bataye? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate translation) Sir, after yesterday's court verdict on Nirav Modi’s extradition,are there any other actions if any details on it can be shared?

Kavita: Sir Kavita hoon Hari Bhoomi Newspaper se, Sir main jo defence arms dealer hai Sanjay Bhandari unke Bharat pratyarpan ko lekar ke UK court ka order aaya hai, usske baare mein kya matlab videsh mantralay ki taraf se kya kehna chahenge? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir, Kavita from Hari Bhoomi Newspaper, Sir! UK Court’s order has come regarding extradition of defence arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. What are MEA’s comments on this matter?

Geeta: My question is on the Zulfiqar Khan case you've just elaborated but just wanted to know whether if there has been a response to the family members who have sought meetings with External Affairs Minister on the matter, and also there has been no proof of alive, and there has been no official communication of whether he's alive or dead, whatever. So does MEA have an update on that front as well?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay, I see no further questions so let me take this round of it. Let me start Sanjeev & Kavita Ji jo dono extradition cases ke baaren mein aapne prashn poochha tha, dekhiye, iske baaren mein jaisa ki aap donon ko alag alag leta hoon, ek hamne pahle bhi kah rakha hai ki aise extradition cases jahan se economic fugitives hum kehte hai unke baarein mein hum hamesha se koshish kar rahe hai ki woh India vapas aye aur yahan pe hamare kanuni system ko ye face karen. hamne dekha hai ki britain ke uchch nyayalay ne kal neerav modi ke extradition ke khilaaf appeal ko kharij kar di thi, hum is kadam ka swagat karte hai aur use aur anya arthik bhagaudo ko bharat men nyay ka samana karane ke lie apane prayason ko jari rakhenge aapko jaise malum hai ki ismen kafi steps hote hai jisamen ye ek step hai aur jiska hum swagat karte hai, isi tarah hamane bhandari ke case ke baaren mein bhi dekha hai ki vahan ek dusre nyayalay ne unke extradition ke baaren mein positive ek ruling di hai aur iske baad kuchh aur steps hai. main sirf ye kehna chahunga ki hum log lagatar is issue par nazar banaye hue hai, koshish hamari jari rehti hai ki ye log jo nahi hai India mein hum inko kis tarah se jaldi se jaldi India la payen taki yahan pe hamare nyaay ka samna kar payen ye log iske aage abhi mere pass aur koi update de nahi sakta hoon kyokin ye legal process hai. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Let me start with Sanjeev and Kavita ji, the question you asked about both extradition cases, see, about it as I will answer you both separately, we have already said that we have always been trying to bring back such economic fugitives so that they come back to India and face our legal system here. We have seen that the UK High Court yesterday dismissed the appeal against Nirav Modi’s extradition, we welcome this move and will continue our efforts to make him and other economic fugitives face justice in India. As you know that there are many steps and this is first step which we welcome, in the same way we have also seen about Bhandari's case that there has been a positive ruling about his extradition and after that there are some more steps. I would just like to say that we are constantly keeping an eye on this issue, our efforts are going on that how can we bring these people who are not in India to India as soon as possible so that these people can face our justice system here. I can't give any more updates because it's a legal process.

I always try to do that. But as you know, this is not always 100% a translation of that so I'll explain to you our perspective on this. Wanted to emphasize that India has been vigorously pursuing the extradition of economic fugitives so that they face justice in India. In this regard, yesterday there was a UK High Court decision dismissing an appeal against the extradition of Nirav Modi. We welcome this step and we will continue with our efforts to get him back as well as other economic fugitives to face justice in India. Similarly, Mr. Sanjay Bhandari is also another similar case, where we have seen another court giving decision in favour of extraditing him to India. This is usually a lengthy process but we will continue to make all efforts in this regard so that, as I said economic fugitives can come back to India to face our justice system.

Avinash, you had asked about bilateral meetings, Yes, there will be bilateral meetings, and I will put a full stop there. We will certainly share with you as and when they happen or closer to the date. Perhaps at this point, I do not wish to share further details.

Kallol, your question is extremely speculative and I would like to not speculate on it. Yes, I think, I read an announcement that the Russian President would not be able to participate in the G20, but look, you have to ask the Russian government on the confirmation of this. I don't think that's something we can say. If he is not coming, you're presuming that's a setback I'm not confirming that or sharing that opinion. I think for various reasons sometimes people are unable to attend such Summits. I recall perhaps even last year; he wasn't able to make it to Rome due to some other reasons. So I would not like to comment on that. I don't think it's a setback to the G20. We have now in the process of taking over the presidency, but I think I'll answer on behalf of the Presidency of the G20 only after 1st December till then you can ask the Indonesians on the G20 overall impact or not. And on the issue of the larger issue Dialogue, I don't know whether one visit or the other makes that much of a difference. I'm certainly not in a position to speculate on that.

Geeta, you referred to the issue I've just answered about what we have been trying to do to assess this. Look, again, in the area of speculation whether they are alive or not? We would hope they are and certainly we are making all efforts to track these missing persons and we certainly hope as I said that they are alive. Whether they have got a meeting with External Affairs Minister or whether they've been sought a meeting with External Affairs Minister, I'm sorry, I am not in a position to confirm as you know External Affairs Minister has been traveling and he will be going tomorrow with the Vice President. I don't know if that came out in the Presser, External Affairs Minister will be a part of the Vice President's delegation going to Cambodia tomorrow. So maybe that is part of it. But you'd have to ask the External Affairs Minister's office for any details on this issue. I certainly don't have one. But I can tell you that our High Commission in Kenya, certainly, and including the High Commissioner is in touch with the family members there. We are hoping that there is progress. And that is exactly the reason why our team went to Kenya to see if we could assist and that offer is there and we will continue to engage with the Kenyan authorities to see as early solution and hopefully finding these missing persons.

Speaker 1: Sir, there is a media report on the visit of Saudi Crown Prince, so if you could just tell us about that.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: I haven't made an announcement yet on that so I'm afraid I don't have anything to share on that. If not, I would had shared. But yes, we are working towards that but let's see at an appropriate time we will certainly share with you. Thank you.

Eliana: The Belarus Minister for Foreign Affairs was here and yesterday he met Dr. Jaishankar. Do you have any information about what they discussed and why this visit happened so fast, because as far as I remember, he was here already in May or June.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Look, you seem to put a very negative question to it. Why did the visit happen? It happened I hope visits are useful. Yes, please go ahead.

Akhilesh Suman: I'm Akhilesh Suman from Sansad TV. Belarus Foreign Minister was here and he met Dr. Jaishankar. So were there any discussion about Ukraine and Russia war because Belarus has been very active during this war and many questions was also raised against Belarus involvement. So what was India’s stand when he talked to Foreign Minister.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: I will separate that questions into two very clear parts. Let me just quickly mention as you know the External Affairs Minister did put out something in social media about his meeting. The Foreign Minister of Belarus, his Excellency Mr. Vladimir Makei is actually here, he is leaving later tonight. He is here largely for the Intergovernmental Commission meeting which took place today and he also have met some other officials here including the External Affairs Minister. That’s probably what I have at this moment to share because the visit is going on and we will see if there is anything further that we need to share. As regards the conversations, look I am hesitant to get into privileged conversations, but on the larger issue of our position on Ukraine, I don’t think it needs repetition again. We have been pushing for dialogue and diplomacy and you know that very well. As I said, if I start putting a microphone to every private conversation, it will not go well. So let me close it at that. Thank you.

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