Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (December 07, 2023)
India - Ministry of External Affairs
December 07, 2023
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: A very good afternoon to all of you. Thank you for joining us for our weekly media briefing. I actually don't have any announcements, so I can open the floor for questions.
Meghna Dev: Sir Meghna Dev from DD News. I just wanted to know if there is an update on the Qatar case, after we have filed an appeal; and what is an update on that?
Huma Siddiqui: Sir, I am Huma Siddiqui from the Financial Express. I have two related questions. What is the situation in Venezuela? They have just had a referendum and they have taken a piece of Guyana.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: That's not my words, right? They have taken a piece of Guyana?
Huma Siddiqui: No, no, no. I mean it is the media report, Sir. And they have already passed an order for that. I just wanted to know India's position. I just wanted to check, has India started buying oil from Venezuela?
Sahil: Sir, I am Sahil from ANI. It is regarding the Qatar appeal. Did Prime Minister Modi speak to Qatar Amir on the sidelines of COP28 Summit regarding the appeal?
Samira Hussain: Samira Hussain from BBC News. Christopher Wray, the head of the FBI, is going to be visiting India next week. I want to know what will be discussed in that meeting. Will you bring up the case of the indicted person?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Will we bring up?
Samira Hussain: Yes. Will that be discussed rather? And then, is there any update on the investigation and the thing that was set up....
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Enquiry committee.
Samira Hussain: Thank you. Yes. The Enquiry Committee.
Neeraj Dubey: Sir, main Neeraj Dubey Prabhasakshi se. Sir Israel Hamas sangharsh par vipaksh ki ek badi netri ne kaha hain ki Bharat ko sahi ka sath dena chahiye kyuki hamara itihas aisa raha hai, kya sarkar ispe kuch comment karna chahegi? Videsh Mantralay?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Neeraj Dubey from Prabhasakshi. On Israel Hamas conflict, a prominent Opposition leader has stated that India should support the righteous, because our history has been that way. Would the Government, the Ministry of External Affairs, like to make any comments on this?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Ye parliament mai tha?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] This was in the Parliament?
Neeraj Dubey: Nahi Sir Parliament mai nahi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra ka usme ek tweet hai.
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] No Sir, not in Parliament, this is in a tweet from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Speaker: Sir, I am (Inaudible) Japanese news agency (inaudible). My question is regarding the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi. My understanding is that the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi has resumed operations. Do you believe that the Embassy represents the Taliban government or the previous government?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay. Let me start with the questions. I think they were on the Qatar issue. I think Meghna, you asked as well as I think Sahil, you had asked on that. You would have seen Prime Minister met the Emir of Qatar in Dubai on the sidelines of COP28. I think he put out a tweet. My understanding is that they had good conversation on the overall bilateral relationship as well as on the well-being of the Indian community, as he said. Look, on the Prime Minister's conversation with him, I have nothing further to add. You wanted an update on the case as such. There have been two hearings. As you know, we filed an appeal, as is from the families and the detainees had filed an appeal. Two hearings have since been held, one I think on the November 30th, the other was on November 23rd. I think the next hearing is coming up soon. We are closely following the matter and extending all legal and consular assistance. Meanwhile our Ambassador got consular access to meet all eight of imprisoned on 3rd of December. As I said, this is a sensitive issue, but we will continue to follow and whatever we can share, we will do so.
Huma, on the issue of Venezuela and Guyana, the dispute; yes, of course, we have been monitoring developments on that. As you know, in so far as the dispute itself is concerned, we have always advocated resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, but for the moment I would say we're just keeping a close eye on seeing what's happening, I don't have anything additional to share for the moment. The oil part, I wouldn't be aware, I would have to refer you... because a lot of them might be purchased by private entities. As regards whether we are doing through government, I would refer you to the Petroleum Ministry. I'm not aware of any update on this issue as yet, but if there is, we will certainly share with you.
Samira, as regards the issue of the visit, which actually I think...you should ask the US side because I think the US Ambassador mentioned it, but let me just mention what I know about it and particularly give you a context. As you are aware, we have robust security, cyber security, counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics cooperation with the US agencies, we also engage in capacity building programs. So as part of this ongoing bilateral cooperation, visit by the FBI director is in the works, is being held, but let them confirm the exact things. Details of this visit have been worked out with the US side over the course of the last few months and as I said I wouldn't like to confirm the specific timeline for that, that I would leave to the US. I would direct you to the US embassy or the agencies for the specifics of this visit, but yes, there's something that is in the works.
What will India be raising or will this issue come up? Look, as I said, this is part of the ongoing dialogue process. I don't have a crystal ball, so I am not going to guess into what may or may not be discussed. Perhaps there are concerned agencies who may wish to brief you after the event. At this moment I have nothing further on that one.
Neeraj ji aapka prashna tha, sahi? maine sahi suna hai na? Dekhiye main ye bilkul manne ke liye taiyar nahi hoon ki hum jo kar rahe hain woh galat hai. Toh humara jo drishtikon hai, humne jis tarah se is mudde par najariya rakha hua hai, usmai aap jante hi hain hamara paksh bahut clear hai, ki humne kaha tha ki terrorism ko hum kis tarah se dekhte hain, kis tarah se wahan civilian, humanitarian assistance chahiye hota hai, kis tarah se long term solution Palestine ka aa sake. Is mudde par kafi bar humne apna jo position hain usko bataya hai, clarify kiya hai aur bahut levels pe kiya hai, toh main aur kuch additional kehna nahi chahunga uspe. Par sirf yahi ki hamain lagta hai yahi thik position hai aur terrorism ke mamle mai particularly hamara kafi strong position raha hai.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Neeraj ji, your question was, righteous? Did I hear it correctly? Look, I am absolutely not willing to accept that what we are doing is wrong. So our perspective, the way we have approached this issue, you are well aware of it that our position is very clear, we have expressed how we see terrorism, the need for civilian and humanitarian assistance there, and how a long-term solution on Palestine can be reached. On this issue, we have stated our position multiple times, clarified it at various levels, so I don't want to add anything more to it. We believe that our current position is correct and in matters related to terrorism particularly, our position has been strong.
On the Afghan Embassy issue, you used a particular word which I am not fully sure is appropriate about resumption or not. All I could say is, as per our understanding, the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad are functioning and you can see from the flag who they represent and our position on recognition of entities has not changed. So I think that's what it is and I guess their diplomats, Afghan diplomats who are here are providing assistance or continue to provide services to the Afghan nationals here.
Okay I saw few more hands.
Kadambini: Kadambini Sharma from NDTV. This is about the visit of FBI director. So this is a regular visit or is there any development in Pannun case?
Sanjay: Hi, this is Sanjay from ITV News. My question is pertaining to what Kadambini and Samira asked. Could you tell me what is the update on the enquiry which Indian government has set up in the wake of US allegations about Indian involvement? Secondly, there are some groups in UK that have expressed their concern for safety and they have written to the Home Secretary.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Separate question, you are asking two questions.
Sanjay: Yes, two separate questions, sorry, it's related to it. Have you received any communication from the UK government in the similar nature?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: UK government?
Sanjay: Yeah. Some groups in UK have expressed concern about their safety in the wake of what has happened in Canada and US. So have you had any communication from UK about this?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: We are obviously talking about different activities, but I'll try to answer your question.
Sidhant: Sir, Sidhant from WION. My question is on Pannun, he has threatened the Indian Parliament, how much is this a concern for the Indian government and is this a matter that we have raised or are going to raise with the concerned authorities?
Manohar Manoj: Manohar Manoj from Economy India. It would be interesting to know by many Indians, that is, what is your official take on consistent killing of anti-India terrorists by the rival gang in Pakistan and some other country?
Abhishek Jha: Sir this is Abhishek Jha from CNN News18. My question is regarding many terrorist organizations, especially Khalistani terrorist organizations in Canada asking people not to board Air India flights. They have been picketing at multiple airports. This looks like a clear threat and intimidation to Indian community, so have you raised this question?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: This was on a specific date, wasn't it? The 19th of last month, November?
Abhishek Jha: No, last week also they have done this picketing at the airport and discouraging people from boarding the flights.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay. Kadambini, on your query regarding FBI Director, look I just answered the context in which we look at the visit and as I said, it's been in the works for some time, and this is part of an ongoing cooperation, security related cooperation. I certainly don't know if there is any development on the aspect that you referred to, I'm not aware of it. And on the same note, I should have responded to Samira on that one, and I think you raised the issue on the high level enquiry...no, I don't have any update on the response on that, if there is, we'll certainly share that with you. At this point I don't have anything to share.
Your query on the communication with the UK government...no, I'm not aware of any particular thing. I have seen some reports which say they feel threatened by groups when they are there. It's for the UK government to find on the security elements or things like that. I don't know what you're insinuating, I'm not getting into that.
Sidhant, as regards threats, and I think Abhishek you had the similar sort of a query. Look, I'm not the right person to comment on security issues, but yes we do take threats seriously, particularly depending on the context of that. In the specific case, yes on the Parliament, we are caught in a bind here. I don't want to amplify or give too much of credence to such extremists who make threats and get a lot of coverage. But on the other hand we take this seriously, in this particular case I know that we have taken up this matter with the US and Canadian authorities about this threat, but as I said, extremists and terrorists have a tendency of wanting media coverage on the issue, and I wouldn't like to dignify them that way.
Abhishek, I'm not sure about the Air India one, a recent one, I know last month they had threatened on a particular date, and I think that issue was something on our radar, I'll have to check. But let me make a larger point of course that we would condemn such any threat of this nature, we take this seriously and our security agencies will take appropriate action. If there people are being discouraged, you used the word...I don't know what that means, were they threatened, were they not allowed; but we certainly would not be happy with that and if there are incidents where there are criminal activities or we feel there is a threat, we will take appropriate action abroad.
Manohar ji, your question was regarding official position, look I don't know how to react, I don't have a comment on it except for the larger issue is that, those who are wanted in India to face justice for criminal and terrorist activities and extremists, we would like them to come to India and face our legal system, but I cannot comment on developments that are taking place in Pakistan. I don't have any additional info than what I see on media, so I will not be able to comment further on that. Okay, let me take the next round of questions.
Sridhar: Sir Sridhar from the Asian Age. I was just curious whether India has demanded that the US arrest and prosecute Pannun, because this is a man who is belting out one terror threat after the other against Air India, against the Indian Parliament. But somehow we are conducting a probe into an alleged murder plot, but the US doesn't seem to be taking these threats very seriously and has India pressed them that they should also conduct a probe into the activities of Pannun? Thank you.
Pia: Hi, Pia with the Print. Since 2018, Indian students dying abroad seems to be the highest in Canada as per data released by the MEA earlier today in Parliament.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Not released, it's a response, reply to a Parliament question.
Pia: Yeah. Has the MEA communicated this to the Canadian side, are there any steps being taken to protect our students there? Thanks.
Reza: Reza from the Hindustan Times. The readout on the India-Myanmar Consultations yesterday mentioned the situation on the border and also, you know, India supporting the efforts to return to federal democracy. I was just wondering, how does India see the situation on the border, given the fact that the resistance forces have scored a number of victories in the last few weeks and seem to have moved closer and closer to, you know, positions along the Indian border?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sorry, could you clarify your question, how it sees the developments within Myanmar or vis-a-vis...
Reza: Yeah, because the resistance forces do seem to have been scoring a lot of victories and, you know, against the military forces.
Srinjoy: Sir, Times Now. There are about 19,000 people from Myanmar in India and in recent weeks, in two states alone, about 6,000 to 7,000 people have come. One or two of them are reasonably eminent people. Now, is this something that could be a problem or is this something that could be a problem or is this something we are going to... 7,000 new people have suddenly come in one week. It's an issue.
Madhurendra: Sir Madhurendra, main News Nation se. Mera sawal BRICS ko lekar hai, BRICS mai shamil hone ke liye Pakistan ne jis tarah se bid kiya hain aur kai Pak ke jo mitra desh hain unka samarthan bhi unko prapt hai, Bharat is development ko kaise dekhta hai?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhurendra from News Nation. My question is regarding BRICS. Pakistan has made a bid to join BRICS, and Pakistan has received support of several of its allied countries. How does India see this development?
Umashankar: Umashankar NDTV India se. Qatar pe hi mera sawal hai ki jo ek kanuni prakriya chal rahi hai, humne appeal kiya, aapne bataya ki 2 sunwai hui, agli sunwai bhi jald honi hai. toh kya kanuni prakiya puri hone ke baad political leadership ke sath mamla uthaya jayega? Is baat ka intezar kiya ja raha hai ya dono prakriya sath sath chal rahi hain?
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Umashankar from NDTV India. My question is on Qatar. The legal process that is underway, we have appealed, and you mentioned that two hearings have taken place, with the next one scheduled soon. After the completion of the legal process, will the matter be taken up with the political leadership? Is this something that is awaited, or are both the processes happening simultaneously?
Yeshi Seli: Yeshi Seli from the New Indian Express. What's the update on the withdrawal of soldiers from Maldives? The new President had said that Indian troops will have to go back and so what's the update? And what are the exact numbers? There are... you know, some figures are at 77, some say they are 89. What are the exact numbers?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sridhar, to start with your query, I think...look, you asked a question that's also mired a little bit in the legal aspect, so I will be careful what I say. Look, as you know, that the individual you named is wanted by our agencies for violation of the law and there is a process under which we seek assistance, we seek that they be prosecuted. It depends on the crime that is committed. In our case, I think requests have gone through, detailing the kind of crimes that he is responsible for in India and hence what kind of assistance we would require from the foreign countries. But your question was more about the threats he is making there. Yes, we have of course flagged concerns to our partners about any threats made by extremists or terrorists against India, against Indian diplomats or, you know, our properties etc. And we do take it up from time to time and there is ongoing conversation, there is security cooperation. Some of it, we've seen results; some of it we haven't and this will be the ongoing process.
As regards the question on...Pia, sorry, your question was...look, I would hesitate to put it from the perspective you have put it. Yes, I'm aware today in Parliament we answered a question on the deaths of Indian students. Canada does happen to numerically be the highest but I would urge that they be looked at in relation to the total number of Indian students in that country. Plus, we would need to see whether these are caused by violence, car accidents, we don't know. So I don't know if this is an issue that merits taking up with the government. If there are individual incidents where there has been foul play etc., we certainly...our Consulates do reach out to the families. We also take it up with the local authorities or what for the prosecution or other investigation that they are pursuing. I would like to make a generalized comment there.
Reza, regarding your query on the Myanmar, look let me take you back to...you mentioned, I think there was a conversation, there was a Foreign Office Consultations that took place I think yesterday. We have put out how we see the developments there. Yes, of course, as we have said earlier, developments in Myanmar of this kind are a matter of concern for us. Also linked to the query I got about how many, Srinjoy was asking, number of people have come across. We have answered this, we have discussed this in the past, these are issues of concern. Yesterday we have put out a press release, in addition what I can tell you is that we discussed the full range of security concerns, particularly challenges faced on the border, including refugee flows and on a larger perspective we have always been encouraging that peace there or a resolution or a return to democracy is the way forward that we see. I wouldn't like to comment about whether resistance forces are making gains or that's not the issue. We would like to see a peaceful periphery and the issues that we are facing on our border and the security implications of that. We have spoken at length about this in the past, of how drug trafficking or other forms of trafficking, other difficulties that are faced. There are of course, refugee flow and this is something that's being addressed. Of course on the exact numbers and details Srinjoy, I would refer you to the concerned Ministries and agencies. But yes, this is an issue that came up in the conversation, as also other challenges in managing the border.
Madhurendra ji aapka prashna tha BRICS ke baare mai, aur Pakistan...aapne kaha ki apply kiya hai unhone. Dekhiye kai deshon ne BRICS ki sadasyata ki mang ki, vistar prakriya ke liye guiding principles, standards, criteria aur procedures apnaye gaye, haal hi mai is saal jab South Africa mai BRICS jo shikhar sammelan rahi uske pahle. Ab is particular application ke bare mai mera koi comment nahi hai, par main sirf itna kehna chahta hoon, aapne particularly kaha ki kuch mitra deshon ne support kiya hai, main ye kehna chahta hoon aur ye highlight karna chahta hoon, ki jo BRICS ki decisions hoti hain, uske jo nirnay liye jate hain woh saare consensus ke basis pe hota hain, main itna ki kehna chahta hoon. Aap iska ishara samajh hi sakte hain.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhurendra ji, your question was about BRICS, and you mentioned that Pakistan has applied. Look, many countries have sought BRICS membership, and guiding principles, standards, criteria, and procedures for the expansion process were drawn up, most recently earlier this year, before the BRICS Summit in South Africa. Regarding this specific application, I don't have any comments, but you have particularly said about support by some allied countries, I just want to highlight that when it comes to BRICS decisions, they are based on consensus. I just want to say that. I hope you can understand the indication of that.
Umashankar ji your query was on Qatar, look we clarified where we are, how we look at this problem. Ismai aisa nahi hai ki pahle ye hoga uske baad hoga. Ek nyayik prakiya chal rahi hai, jismai humne ek appeal bhi file kar rakhi hai, aur humne pahle kaha tha ki hum is vishay ko Qatar ke sath bhi hum rakhenge, Qatari authorities ke sath bhi hum contact banaye rakhenge is mamle mai. Iske details main kuch share nahi kar pa raha hoon, kyuki ye sangeen mamla hai aur main ispe jyada kuch kehna nahi chahta hoon, par main ye bhi nahi kehna chahta hoon ki alag alag process hain, hum jis tarah se bhi assist kar sakte hain hum karenge. Abhi ke liye focus hamara ye nyayik prakriya pe hai par hum Qatar ke sath bhi engaged hain.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Umashankar ji, your query was on Qatar. Look, we clarified where we are and how we look at this problem. It's not a matter of what would be first and what would be thereafter. A judicial process is underway, and we have filed an appeal. We have already stated that we will continue to engage with Qatar on this matter and maintain contact with Qatari authorities. I cannot share the details as this is a sensitive issue, and I do not wish to say more on it. But, I also don't want to say that there are separate processes; and we will assist in any way we can. Currently, our focus is on the judicial process, but we are also engaged with Qatar on this matter.
Yeshi, as regards your query on...you specifically asked for Maldives, right? The withdrawal of the... look, you would have seen and I would refer you to the conversation that took place between Prime Minister and President of Maldives, newly elected President of Maldives, which happened in Dubai. As you know, the troops or military personnel or Indian personnel that you refer to in Maldives, you know, they are for the platforms that are provided by India and these platforms have been providing much needed humanitarian assistance and medical evacuation facilities to the people of Maldives. And this has been consistently appreciated by the Government of Maldives. And as I mentioned, in Dubai, during the conversation, Prime Minister and President of Maldives discussed ways to further deepen our partnership. In this regard, they agreed to set up a core group. And let us see how we will be guided by what the core group says. So for the moment, that would be my response to this.
Kallol: Kallol from The Hindu. So the Foreign Secretary visited Iran recently. And of course, there is the context of the incidents that are happening in the Red Sea, that the security threats are rising for the ships. And there have been incidents where the Israeli flag-bearing ships have been attacked by Ansar Allah and Houthi militants. My question is, has India raised these concerns with the Iranian authorities? Or has there been some sort of maritime security related discussion during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Tehran?
Abhishek: Sir this is Abhishek from CNN News 18. My question is regarding Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson has reacted on the comments made by the Home Minister in the Parliament on the issue of Kashmir, the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir which India has said that it's our part. And there have been some other statements also in the bill that has been passed. So they have rejected this statement, if you could speak.
Sridhar: This is just a clarification to one of the earlier questions asked on Qatar. Did you give a categorical response on whether the Prime Minister had raised this issue with the Emir of Qatar...
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: You were not listening, obviously.
Sridhar: No, I think you said probably that there was no update. But would you like to give a categorical..
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sorry, I have said what I needed to say.
Neeraj Dubey: Sir Neeraj Dubey Prabhasakshi se. Sir China Hind mahasagar keshtra forum ka sammelan dusra aayojit kar raha hain, kya sarkar ki is par pratikriya.
[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, this is Neeraj Dubey from Prabhasakshi. China is organizing the second summit of the Indian Ocean region forum. What is the government's response to this?
Huma: Just one, the new Argentinean President has said that they don't want to join the BRICS. What does India think about it?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Look, on the Iran consultations, Kallol, we have given a pretty detailed sense of where we were and what we discussed. Maritime security is an element that is of course discussed as part of our overall engagement. But as you correctly said, Houthis are talking about it, I don't know if the Iranian government has said anything on it. I would be hard pressed to comment on whether we raised it. I would tend to say no, but I haven't had a chance to check on that. For the moment, I would limit myself to the detailed readout that we shared after the Foreign Office Consultations, particularly focusing on bilateral cooperation, Chabahar, trade and economic issues, people to people ties, agriculture and capacity building. Of course, there was also exchange on regional developments naturally. So I would limit myself to that.
Pakistan, you asked on that. Look, I don't think I need to really reiterate our position on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. I don't need to clarify Honorable Home Minister's statement. I think they stand on their own. They have been made in Parliament and I am certainly not going to respond to it. But our position on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is very clear. We consider it a part of India and we have done so for as long as I can remember and we certainly...I see no reason to change our statement, but I have nothing to comment against their comments.
Sridhar, I responded to you, you can look at the recording.
Aapka prashn tha hind mahasagar, dekhiye main ismai uspe tippani nahi karunga. Main ye kehna chahunga ki hum apne keshtra mai ya hind mahasagar ke keshtra mai regional approch mai humne kafi kuch kiya hai aur hamara jo najariya hai aur hum jo platform use karte hain, IORA dekh lijiye ya IONS dekh lijiye ya kisi aur tarike se, hum kis tarah se is keshtra ke deshon ke sath cooperate kar sakte hain aur hum mil-jul kar kya kar sakte hain, uspe hamara prayas hai, uspe hamara focus rehta hai. Ismai kai tarah ke mechanisms humne lauch kiye hain aur us tarah ke cooperation hain, hamara focus yahi hai ki kis tarah se hum economic integration badha sake, hamara greater connectivity reh sake in deshon ke sath, aur maritime security aur baki mudde jo unke interest mai ho, unmai India unke sath kis tarah se kaam kar sakta hain.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Your question was about the Indian Ocean, look, I won't comment on that. I would like to say that in our region, or in the Indian Ocean region, we have undertaken various initiatives through a regional approach. Our perspective and the platforms we use, be it IORA, IONS, or any other, demonstrate how we can cooperate with countries in this region. Our efforts and focus are on that. We have launched various mechanisms and cooperation initiatives with a focus on enhancing economic integration, fostering greater connectivity with these countries, and addressing maritime security and other issues that align with their interests. And how India can work with these nations on that.
New Argentinean President, look I would go by the fact that as I mentioned in the BRICS expansion process that countries expressed a desire to join it and there was a whole process of criteria, guidelines, etc. which were drawn up. Based on which some countries were invited, six countries were invited to become members of BRICS. If they choose not to become, I guess they choose not to become, I don't think anybody is forcing anybody to join groups. So we will see as it comes, it is pretty hypothetical. I think I would also refer you to the Chair of BRICS, I think that is Russia, to know the legal process of this.
Madhurendra: PoK wale statement ko Hindi me.
[Quaetin in Hindi: Approximate translation] The POK one in Hindi.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Maine koi statement hi nahi di, maine sirf kaha ki main unke bayan pe comment nahi karna chahta hoon, aur hamare Home Minister ke jo bayan hain unpe bhi comment nahi karna chahunga. Main sirf kahunga ki PoK pe jo hamara position raha hai, hamare desh ka, sarkar ka, usmai koi badlav nahi hai aur woh bilkul Bharat ka abbhinn ang hai ye hum bahut baar keh chuke hain.
[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] I haven't made any statement. I simply said that I don't want to comment on their statement and also don't want to comment on the statements by our Home Minister. I will only say that our position on PoK, our country's position, government's position, remains unchanged, and that it is an integral part of India, and we have reiterated it many times.
Thank you. Thank you all for joining us.
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