Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (July 20, 2023)
India - Ministry of External Affairs
July 20, 2023
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: A very good afternoon to all of you. Thank you for joining us for the weekly media briefing. I don't really have any announcements to begin with, so may I start with the questions? Please, go ahead.
Madhurendra: Sir Madhurendra main News Nation se. Abhi jo Manipur mai jari hinsa hai usmai ye mana ja raha hai ki Myanmar side se Chinese hathiyaron ki khep jo hai woh supply ho rahi hai aur woh hinsa ko badhawa de rahi hai, toh kya bharat aur Myanmar ke bich is baare mai koi batchit hui hai?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, this is Madhurendra from News Nation. Currently, in the ongoing violence in Manipur, it is believed that Chinese weapons are being supplied from the Myanmar side, which is fueling the violence. Has there been any discussion between India and Myanmar regarding this matter?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Mana jata hain aapne kaha, kahan, kisne kaha?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] you said that it is believed, where, who said?
Madhurendra: Tamam reports hain ki manipur mai jo hinsa ho rahi hai wahan jo already organizations hain kaam kar rahe hain, aur jo hathiyaron ki khep hai wo Myanmar ke route se aa rahi hai. Aur woh tamam hathiyar aise hain jo chinese made hain. Toh is babat kya bharat aur Myanmar ke bich koi batchit hui hai?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] There are reports that in Manipur, the ongoing violence is being carried out by existing organizations there, and the supply of weapons is coming from the route of Myanmar. All these weapons are Chinese made. So, has there been any discussion between India and Myanmar regarding this matter?
Neeraj: Sir, Neeraj hoon News18 India se. Seema Haidar ko lekar Pakistan ne consular access manga hai, kya videsh mantralay ka rukh hai aur kya consular access diya ja sakta hai is mamle mai?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Neeraj from News18 India. Pakistan has requested consular access for Seema Haidar. What is the stance of the Ministry of External Affairs, and can consular access be given in this case?
Sidhant: Sir, the Sri Lankan President will be shortly reaching Delhi. What is the key focus when it comes to India-Sri Lanka conversation, I mean, not preempting the conversation but India have played an important role in terms of supporting Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis, so what will be the focus around?
Ayushi: Sir, Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. Sir, this is regarding our G20 Summit. Do we have any confirmation from the Russian side regarding the participation of its President in our G20 Summit, since he has said that he's going to virtually participate in the BRICS? So any update on that?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: In that context?
Ayushi Garg: Yeah.
Yeshi: This is Yeshi Seli from The New Indian Express. The German Vice Chancellor is in India, and this issue of that baby who's been in foster care in Germany, is that likely to come up in discussions? Because people are planning protests, and they have been protesting in Germany and here.
Santosh Thakur: Main Santosh Thakur hoon sir Navbharat News Paper se. Seema Haidar ko sir deport karne ki baat chal rahi hai toh usko lekar kya sir kya vastav mai bat chal rahi hain, aur kya prakriya apnayi ja rahi hain woh janna chahta hoon.
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] I am Santosh Thakur from Navbharat News Paper. There are talks about deporting Seema Haidar, so I want to know what talks are going on regarding this matter in reality, and what procedure is being adopted.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Neeraj aapka prashn tha Seema Haidar wale mudde pe...dekhiye is mamle ki jankari hai hamare paas, aur adalat mai unki peshi hui thi, aur uske baad unko jamanat de di gayi, woh bail pe hain bahar. Aur mamle ki jaanch chal rahi hai aur aage ki jankari upladh hone par hum aapko batayenge. Abhi ke liye bas mere pas itna hi hai kehne ke liye ki jaach chal rahi hai. Aapka bhi prashn wahi tha. Maine jaise kaha jaanch chal rahi hai ispe, aur hamare paas jab aur kuch kehne ke liye hoga main aapko jarur bataunga iske bare mai, par abhi ye judicial mamla hai aur investigations bhi chal raha hai toh main kuch aur kehna nahi chahunga ispe.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Neeraj, your question was about the issue related to Seema Haidar. We have information about this matter. She appeared in court, and after that, she was granted bail and is currently out on bail. The case is under investigation, and as we receive further information, we will inform you. As of now, all I can say is that the investigation is underway. Your question was also same. As I said, investigation is going on in this matter. I will definitely tell if we have more to share. But, this is now a judicial matter, and the investigation is underway. I don't want to comment further on this issue at the moment.
Madhurendra ji aapka prashn, iske paripeshya mai aapne kaafi kuch kaha tha, par dekhiye aapka mudda yahi tha ki Myanmar ke sath koi batchit hui hai ya nahi, yehi aapka prashn tha. Abhi aapne dekha hoga haal hi mein hamare External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar ji gaye the multilateral meetings mai toh unki meeting hui thi, U Than Swe unke jo counterpart hain Myanmar ke, unke sath. Unhone usmai kaafi detail mai unhone ek tweet bhi jari ki hai, usmai unhone bahot sari chizon ke bare mai kaha hua hai, par unhone iske bare mai jikar kiya tha ki peace and stability honi chahiye hamare border areas mai. In fact mere pass hai text yahan pe, ye keh rhe hain ki, "underline the importance of ensuring peace and stability along the border areas which have been seriously disturbed recently". Toh jaisa ki videsh mantri ji ne kaha hai unhone is border area ki shanti aur sthirta banaye rakhne ke mahatva par baat ki thi aur haal hi mai gambhir roop se jis tarah se ashant kiya gaya tha isko...uspe charcha hui thi. Main itna hi kehna chahunga, ye baat hui thi, par aapne kafi kuch aur kaha iske baare main mujhe details nahi hai, woh media reports hain, unpe main comment nahi karna chahunga. Woh security agencies hi uspe kahain toh behtar hain.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhurendra ji, your question...you have said a lot in this regard. But your question was about whether there has been any discussion with Myanmar or not. As you may have seen recently, our External Affairs Minister, Dr. Jaishankar, attended multilateral meetings where he had a meeting with his counterpart from Myanmar, Mr. U Than Swe. He had provided considerable details in a tweet about various issues, and one of the points he mentioned was that there should be peace and stability in our border areas. In fact, I have the text here, which says, "underline the importance of ensuring peace and stability along the border areas which have been seriously disturbed recently". As External Affairs Minister mentioned, he discussed the significance of maintaining peace and stability in the border areas, which have recently been disturbed seriously...so this was discussed. So I would just say that...this was discussed, but you mentioned several other things about which I don't have details, they are media reports. I don't want to comment on those. It would be better for security agencies only to speak on it.
Sidhant, moving on to your topic of the Sri Lanka visit...look this is a very important visit. It's a neighboring country with whom we have very important relationships. We have multifaceted relations. As you said, I don't want to pre-judge the conversations that will happen. He's arriving today. But certainly we have discussed with Sri Lanka, issues of how closer economic cooperation, how our growth of our economy, they can benefit from there, how we can discuss common security issues, how we can discuss common areas of development cooperation, new projects, how Indian investments can be involved. As you know, we've also been helping them or have helped them with their economic problems that have happened in the recent...earlier this year. And I think this will be a good base to take forward our conversation. This is the first visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe as President. He's, of course, been here a number of times, and we look forward to the visit to impart a new momentum to the relationship.
Ayushi, your question was on the G20 summit and the context. Look, at this point all I can reiterate is what we have said earlier. Invitations have gone out to all the G20 members as well as the invitee countries, the international organizations and the invitee international organizations. This is a physical summit and we would hope that all the invitees are able to participate in person for the summit. There have been confirmations, I understand, but again, I don't have any specific response on any particular leader - yes or no - and I don't think that it would be fair to look at it that way. But yes, we're looking forward to welcoming the leaders here for our G20 Leaders' Summit, New Delhi Leaders' Summit in September.
Yeshi, you have raised the issue of the child who is in...you know, that was the case you were talking about. Look, as you know, this case has been something that we have been following up also on a regular basis. I don't know if this would be a part of the discussions during the visit of the Vice Chancellor, because their agenda is slightly different. But since you raised the issue, let me make a larger point that how we have made very clear our desire to safeguard the child's cultural and national identity and ensure her return to India. We remain engaged with the German authorities in this regard and of course there are separate parallel judicial proceedings underway and we are keeping close track of that. I understand that process involves...the parents are involved and since the sensitivity of the judicial proceedings, I would be hesitant to comment more about it, but certainly we are engaged with the German authorities, from how we see it from the interest of the child and their need for cultural immersion and return to India.
Sudhi Ranjan: Sir, Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. On the Sri Lankan visit, if you could give us an understanding whether India and Sri Lanka are going to discuss and take forward the already existing measures on local currency trade. And if so, what can we expect from this?
Srinjoy: Sir, Time's Now. Is Prime Minister going to South Africa for BRICS or is he going to attend virtually?
Rishabh: Sir, just add on to Srinjoy's question. Rishabh, from Times Now. Sir, has Prime Minister accepted, India accepted the state visit to South Africa following the BRICS Summit? Will he be going there as a state guest as well post the BRICS summit? And sir, Prime Minister just visited France and there have been changes in the statement from France. First it did mention about the submarines and then within hours the statement was changed and the submarine was removed from the statement. Where are we on the deals of the submarine as well as Rafale M with France?
Sridhar: Sir, sort of just linked to the previous question, Sridhar here from the Asian age. Sir, on the Rafale deal which was supposed to be the major announcement during the visit -
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sorry, you guys are starting an epilogue on... I disagree with that was supposed to be the main outcome of that visit, so just saying that, please go ahead.
Sridhar: Okay. Now this question was put to the..
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: What was the question? Repeat again. I don't know what your question was. You made a statement. What is your question?
Sridhar: India was supposed to announce the acquisition of 36 rafale, maritime version...
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: How can I accept that?
Sridhar: But this question was put to the Foreign Secretary also at the late night briefing. And I mean he just said that, you know, the PM is focused on, is focusing on co-development and co-production of projects. So are we to assume that there is...is there any glitch regarding that or is it just part of a protracted negotiation process? Thank you.
Ileana: Good afternoon, Ileana, TASS News Agency. My question is on Black Sea Grain Deal Initiative. So it was terminated on Monday as we all know. And what consequences India see for yourself? So I understand that you don't import grain, but you import fertilizers, sun oil, and yesterday, for example, some experts said that import of sun oil will be reduced 30% in August. So what consequences for you, you see? And will you have some special meetings or negotiations with Russian side on the outcomes of this event?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sudhi, I just mentioned how we approach this visit, this important visit, that's going to take place tomorrow, the main day of engagement. Yes, you're right. I won't say local currency trade, but in terms of trading in our national currencies, Sri Lanka has already, I think, notified Indian rupee as a designated foreign currency in their system. How we take forward that? Look, I think utilization of that, of course, depends on our private sector and people who engage in the trade sector. We would like to, of course, deepen this kind of financial and economic connect, but I think it would be premature for me to comment today on it when the visit is tomorrow. So why don't you bear with us and post-event, we will try to see if we can share more information about the visit.
Srinjoy, I have nothing particular to share at this moment. As you know very well, such high-level visits are always announced at the appropriate time and as soon as we have something that we can share with you, we will do that. At this point, yes, of course, there's a BRICS summit and we will let you know the modalities of India's participation, you know, Prime Minister's acceptance of the same. Similarly, I think there was a question on the state visit related...I think Rishabh you asked that one. I think there was a proposal to add on...I don't know if it's a state official visit. But again, look, as I said, when we are ready to announce a visit, we will certainly do so.
Let me answer Ileana's question before I come to something different. Ileana, on the Black Sea Grain Deal...again, I have been commenting on it, we have been talking about it. You might have also seen our statement at the United Nations. I think it was a couple of days ago. I think that captures it nicely. Let me just emphasize what we've been saying. We have been highlighting the need to address the food, fertilizer and fuel challenges that are affecting developing countries due to the conflict in Ukraine. Our Permanent Representative at the UN in New York made a statement, which I just referred to, India had welcomed the signing and subsequent extensions of this UN-facilitated Black Sea Grain Agreement or Deal, and the fertilizer package that went with it, we supported that. We have supported the efforts of the UN Secretary General in continuing this Black Sea Grain Initiative...and I know that on 20th it was discontinued by Russian side. And we hope for an early resolution to the present impasse. For the moment that's all I have to say on that, and as I said, we hope that there will be an early solution to it. I don't have any information on whether we are having bilateral discussions with Russia, you asked specifically on that, but we would hope the efforts of the UN Secretary General bear fruit.
Sridhar, and I think Rishabh, you had a part two of your question related to the visit to France. Look, Sridhar, let me start with yours, you made lots of comments. I'm not in a position to agree with almost all of it. If you want to know the status of any defense procurement or defense acquisition, I think the Ministry of Defense or other agencies would be the best place. They have announced some things, as and when then acceptance and necessity or other developments happen, they make it public. I wouldn't be able to comment on it. I think Foreign Secretary was asked a question related to this during the press conference in Paris, and I think he said it very clearly. The visit is not about an individual acquisition or a deal or an agreement, larger defense cooperation and the various elements of that. And I think the visit was very successful in that way to take forward our larger strategic cooperation, partnership with France, and defense and security cooperation is a very important element of that. As you guys...has individual deals or not...or what has happened beyond what has been announced is work in progress, obviously, and I would recommend that you speak to the relevant agency. I don't think we are the right person to announce it.
Going on to, I think...your query, Rishabh, was on something that was on a text of the thing. No, I think that speculation on that is unwarranted, absolutely. In fact, I mentioned to some of you, when in France also it was asked. There is a Joint Document...I think it's titled, Horizon 2047 and India-France Partnership in the next 25 years on that. The text of that was uploaded by both sides near simultaneously when we have been closed. That is an agreed text and there is no question of revising it. And this is mirrored on the French side, it's there on our website. And I think for a little while, certainly not later than a few minutes, an incorrect document was uploaded by error. And this error was rectified soon after. And I certainly don't think, you know, the kind of speculation and the stories that have been written...as I said, makes for great copy, low on facts, but that's how it is.
Kallol: Kallol from the Hindu. The German Vice-Chancellor has remarked that nobody wants to decouple from China. And that it's actually de-risking and rather diversification, that is more well thought or rather welcome. Is there a comment on that from India's side?
Ileana: Going back to this G20 summit. I heard that India is going in this month, which left till the Summit, take some special meetings with G20 representatives on the Language of Future joint statement, which will be represented to the leaders of the meeting. So is it like this? And what is the main problem? What the problem is with this language? And at what risks do you see, does India see any risks of adopting this document?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Let me take the G20 one first. Look, there is a process under which the G20 progresses during a presidency. I think you had a chance to listen to that over the year. There are working group meetings, there are other events, and then they usually feed into a Ministerial meeting and different verticals, whether it's environment, agriculture....different kinds of verticals are there...there is a Sherpa Track, there is a Finance Track. But then they all come together at the Summit, and to assist that process, there are the Sherpa meetings, and we just recently had a meeting of the Sherpas, a third meeting of the Sherpas in Hampi, which just happened. And those are the occasions on which you can discuss and parties discuss elements that will go into the final outcome documents, and I think this Sherpa meeting was very constructive in that way to discuss way forward. Meanwhile we've had Ministerial meetings that have also discussed various outcomes on their own verticals and their own domains, and recently, for example, we just had the Finance Ministers' meeting that has taken place in Gandhinagar. You would have seen the outcome document from that. So these are all put together and synthesized into a final document. There are...as you would have seen, the Finance Ministers' meeting document...there are certain differences between some countries. But the Sherpa Track is a mechanism to try to see how we can bridge these gaps. There would be another Sherpa Track meeting, I think, just prior to the summit, literally just a day or two before that, and then of course there are the discussions when the leaders are here.
So I would not like to comment on what could be the contours of the final declaration, because that's up to the leaders to finally decide. As always, negotiating positions are there and people make their positions clear. I could comment on looking at the documents so far. There have been differences on para relating to the conflict in Ukraine. I think in one case, there was some other comment also, but largely there have been a high degree of convergence among participants on all other issues, and that's a very positive thing. India has been pushing for new elements to be considered, particularly in the context of our presidency, be it environment issues, sustainable lifestyle, women-led empowerment, women-led development, as well as various issues that we have seen relating to global south and the concerns. I think that it speaks very positively that there has been broad understanding across various countries, but till the final document gets approved by everybody, I am not going to comment on it. There are of course differences that we all know, and you heard our Finance Minister also speak about it. But we live with optimism and we will work hard with our partners to see what can come out at the New Delhi Summit. Meanwhile, I think our teams are working hard and these opportunities like the Sherpa meeting are a good opportunity to discuss what could be the contours of any outcome document.
Thank you very much. I think we will close here. Thank you for joining us. Good afternoon.
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