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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (December 13, 2024)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

December 13, 2024

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good Afternoon friends.

I warmly welcome you to this press engagement. I have an announcement to make, so which I'll do, and thereafter we'll take questions from you.

This announcement is in regard to the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India. President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, will visit India on a state visit on 15 to 17 December 2024. This will be the first visit of President Dissanayake to India after the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka. During the visit, President of Sri Lanka will meet Rashtrapati ji and also hold discussions with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. President of Sri Lanka will also be participating in a business event in Delhi and thereafter he will also visit Bodh Gaya. The visit of President Dissanayake to India shall further strengthen the multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. We will be releasing this press release for you to see shortly. With that, now I open the floor for questions.

Yeshi Seli, The New Indian Express: This is Yeshi Seli from the The New Indian Express. There have been reports that President Trump is planning to call Chinese President for his swearing in ceremony. Is there any possibility of PM Modi also being invited?

Huma Siddiqui, The Financial Express: Sir, I am Huma Siddiqui from the The Financial Express. So the situation in West Asia is sort of getting deteriorated and you have recently repatriated Indians from Syria. Is there any plan to repatriate more Indians from the region? Have they gotten in touch with you? And if you could give a number of how many Indians are there in the region.

Ayanangsha Maitra: Sir, this is Ayanangsha Maitra. So this is the first briefing after Foreign Secretary's maiden visit in Bangladesh, if you kindly elaborate what are the outcomes from the scheduled meeting.

Brahamprakash, News India: Sir Brahamprakash Dubey News India se, mera sawal Bangladesh ko lekar hai ki jo ghatnayein Bangladesh mein ho rahi thi, unhein lekar Bharat ne chinta jatai thi. Bharatiya Videsh Sachiv bhi waha gaye the. Uske baad kya sthiti hai, kya jaankari hai, un ghatnaao ko lekar?

[Question in Hindi Approximate Translation] Sir, I am Brahamprakash Dubey from News India. My question is regarding Bangladesh. India was concerned about the incidents that were happening there. The Indian Foreign Secretary also went there. What is the situation after that? What is the information about those incidents?

Sahil Pandey, ANI: Sir I am Sahil Pandey from ANI. Sir, do you have any update on the student murder in Canada?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Let's answer these 5 questions and then we'll come for more.

First, we go to Yeshi. On the question that you asked, we don't have any update to share with you. As and when we have something of relevance, some update on it, we surely will bring it to your attention.

Huma, question regarding West Asia. You would have followed the repatriation and evacuation of Indians from Syria. So far, 77 Indians have been evacuated. These were those who wanted to return. In addition, there are several other Indians who have settled there, married there or are pursuing some vocation. They still continue to be in Syria. If they tomorrow wish to return, we will give them a helping hand as well. All these 77 people, they were evacuated through Lebanon where our embassy in Lebanon and our embassy in Syria coordinated very closely. We brought them by road. Thereafter, the Indian embassy in Lebanon facilitated their immigration. The immigration at the border was long and there were a lot of people, so it was quite an exercise. And then we took care of their boarding and lodging, made arrangements for their stay. Of these 77, you would have seen in our press release also, 44 of them were on pilgrimage to several sites in the region. They have left Beirut for other places and the rest of the 30 odd people, they have either returned, or are traveling even as we speak, or would be landing in India tomorrow. So most of them, of these 77 people, aside from, I mean including these 44, will be returning to India soon. In addition, there are people in Damascus and other cities. We are in close touch. The embassy is in close touch with them for their welfare, and if required, we'll give them a helping hand. Regarding West Asia, we have people in, as I told you earlier, in Lebanon, some 3,000 people. We also have around 1,000 people in UNIFIL and UNDOF. We had issued several advisories that they be in touch with our mission and if tomorrow there's a requirement for evacuation, we'll do that. But as of now, nothing of that sort is in the pipeline. Similarly, in West Asia, I mean, in Israel, we have 32,000 Indian nationals who are working there. We are in regular touch. Our embassy is in touch with them, community organizations for their safety and welfare, and we are there to help them and we are in constant touch. But so far, no evacuation plans from any other country.

Ayanangsha, Regarding Foreign Secretary's visit, I would like to highlight that he went there on 9th of December. He had Foreign Office Consultations. He also met the Chief Advisor and thereafter the Foreign Affairs Advisor of Bangladesh. We have given a detailed readout of his visit. Also, he spoke to the media there, which highlights how we intend to take forward our relations or ties with Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary highlighted during his talks India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. He also reiterated India's willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns and interests. Foreign Secretary also discussed certain developments and issues and conveyed India's concerns, especially those relating to the safety and welfare of minorities. He also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural and religious issues and diplomatic properties. Our press release is there for you to get more details as to the kind of issues that we had discussed. But it is our understanding that Foreign Secretary's visit will help in sustaining bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh with a view to addressing concerns as well as advancing the substantive issues in the relationship.

Brahm, aapko jaisa gyaat hai ki Videsh Sachiv ne abhi Dhaka ka daura kiya tha. Wahan par jaisa maine bataya ki wahan ke Chief Advisor se mile, wahan ke Foreign Affairs Advisor se mile aur fir wahan par jo Videsh Mantralay ke sath unki Foreign Office Consultations hui. Us darmyan hum logo ne apni iccha zahir ki, kis prakar se apne rishton ko aage le jana hai. Saath hi saath hum logo ne aur bhi jo humari chintayein hain usko bhi samne rakha. Videsh Sachiv ke vapas aane ke baad aapne dekha hoga ki wahan ki sarkar ne ek Press briefing ki. Wahan ke jo Press Advisor hain unhone bataya ki kis prakar ka unhone kadam uthaya hai, jo wahan hinsa ki ghatnayein ho rahi hain alpsankhyakon ke khilaf uske baare me, karib 70 logo ko giraftaar kiya gaya hai. To in chinataon ko humne zahir kiya tha unke sath.

[Answer in Hindi Approximate Translation] Brahm, as you know, the Foreign Secretary had just visited Dhaka and as I told you, he met the Chief Advisor, the Foreign Affairs Advisor and then he had his Foreign Office Consultations with the Foreign Ministry there during that time, we expressed our interest in how to move forward with our relations along with that, we put our concerns in front of them. After the return of the Foreign Secretary, you must have seen that the government there held a press briefing. Press Advisor there told how they have taken steps against the violence that is taking place against minorities there. About 70 people have been arrested. So we expressed these concerns with them.

Sahil, on the students in Canada. In the last week or so, we have had unfortunate tragedies in Canada. Three Indian students have been murdered in violent crimes. We are deeply saddened by these terrible tragedies that have struck our nationals in Canada. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, grieving families. Our High Commission in Ottawa and our consulates in Vancouver and Toronto, they're in touch with the families. They are also pushing very hard, following up with the local authorities for thorough investigation in the matter. Safety and security and welfare of Indian nationals, in particular students, for us in Canada and elsewhere is a matter of paramount importance. Our High Commission in Ottawa and our consulates are in regular touch with local authorities for their welfare and for their safety. We have also issued advisory for our nationals and our students to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant in view of the deteriorating security environment in Canada as a result of the growing incidence of hate crimes and criminal violence. So that was an update on students that you asked.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Can we have more questions?

Sanjay: Sir, it's been exactly a month when an Indian citizen, Harshita Brella, was killed and her husband is a suspect. Have you got any update from the British authorities or has the Indian High Commission enquired from British authorities about the progress in the investigation?

And, also, do you have any update on the four students from AP who has been met with a road accident and I think one of them has died in the UK, in Leicestershire?

Sarjana Sharma, Sanmarg: Main Sarjana Sharma, Sanmarg se hoon. Sir, Bangladesh se lautkar Foreign Secretary ne Standing Committee on External Affairs ko brief kiya. Aur bahut saare MPs ne unse request kiya ki ek delegation MPs ka kya Bangladesh jaa sakta hai? Kya ispar koi vichaar kiya jayega? Koi sambhavna hai?

[Question in Hindi Approximate Translation] I'm Sarjana Sharma from Sanmarg. Sir, after returning from Bangladesh, the Foreign Secretary briefed the Standing Committee on External Affairs. And many MPs have requested whether a delegation of MPs can go to Bangladesh. Is there any possibility for this?

Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Bloomberg: Sir thank you, Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. Sir, could you give us an understanding as to what happened in the talks with the UAE and also in the strategic dialogues.

Kallol: Sir, you have said that India does not endorse the comments that are coming from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But India is obviously in favour of democratic, inclusive, and stable and secure Bangladesh. But if you really listen to Sheikh Hasina's comments, she's also saying almost the same things. I mean, she also wants Bangladesh to be stable. She also wants Bangladesh to be free of extremism and terrorism. And she wants an inclusive Bangladesh. So the question is, what's really different here that you don't endorse Hasina's comment at this point? And is there some sort of a slight change that we are witnessing in India's position vis-a-vis Sheikh Hasina and her politics? Because you did give her asylum in the month of August. So what really has changed in the last few months, that is what I want to understand.

Pranay, Amar Ujala: Sir, Pranay Upadhyay, Amar Ujala se. Mere do sawaal hain. Pehla sawaal Canada ki situation ko lekar hai, jisko lekar aapne kaha ki halaat kharaab ho rahe hain Canada ke, aur adhik caution exercise karne ke liye kaha gaya hai Bhartiya nagrikon se. Haal hi me Canada se report is cheez ko lekar bhi saamne aayi thi ki Bharatiya Dootaavaas ne Canada me jo Sikh hain, unko visa dene ke liye kuch sharton ko vahan par zahir kiya hai, aur pehle sign karvaye jaa rahe hain. To uspar aapki pratikriya aur spashtikaran kya hai? Aur doosra sawal Myanmar ki situation ko lekar hai. Arakan Army ne kathit taur par Bangladesh ke saath lagi seema ko apne control mein kar liya hai, aur kaha ja raha hai ki Syria jaise halaat Myanmar me bhi ho sakte hain. To usko lekar aapki tippani.

[Question in Hindi Approximate Translation] Sir, this is Pranay Upadhyay from Amar Ujala. I have two questions. The first question is regarding the situation in Canada, for which you said that the situation is tense and Indian nationals must exercise greater caution. A recent report from Canada has revealed that the Indian Embassy in Canada is asking Sikhs to fulfil certain conditions before issuing a visa to them, and they are being asked to sign some papers. So, what is your reaction and clarification on that? My second question is regarding the situation in Myanmar. The Arakan Army has, allegedly taken the regions of Bangladeshi border under its control, and it is being said that Myanmar may face situations similar to Syria. So, what is your comment on this matter?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, Sanjay, first your question. We had, last time I had given you a, we had spoken about this particular incident. Our Embassy, obviously, because it involves an Indian citizen, they are seized of the matter, but I don't have any update to share with you on this.

Sarjana ji, aapne wahan par jo yeh baat hai woh Standing Committee ki baat hai. Ye sab charchayein jo hoti hai wo privilege charcha hoti hai to uspar main koi tippni nahin karna chahta hoon. Yeh Parliament ka dayra hai, to unko zyada pata hoga kis prakar se is mudde ko aage le jaya jaa skata hai ya is prastav ko kaise aage le jana hai.

[Answer in Hindi Approximate Translation] Ms. Sarjana, this is a matter of the Standing Committee. This discussion is a privileged discussion. I don't want to comment on that. This is a matter of the Parliament. They will know how to take this matter forward.

Sudhi, on UAE, we have the UAE Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister here in India. He met the Prime Minister, and they discussed several issues, including the importance of IMEEC. And then the Foreign Minister had strategic dialogue, the fourth strategic dialogue, which was co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister and the Foreign Minister from UAE. Today afternoon, they also had a joint – they both co-chaired Joint Commission Meeting. You know how vibrant our relationship with the UAE is. They discussed all matters, defense relationship, energy partnership, geopolitical issues, what's happening in West Asia. Our economic partnership is expanding, our trade investment partnership which is expanding, and several other new projects such as Bharat Mart and the kind of linkages, there are new linkages that we're establishing in the field of financial inclusion and domain of e-commerce and digital technology. So all these issues and we shortly will be releasing a readout of that, of the visit, so you'll have more details to follow and to read.

Kallol, see our position on Bangladesh has been made clear. As also, right now, when I was speaking about Foreign Secretary's visit, I told you what sort of approach we have. As far as the question that you asked about the former Prime Minister, I would only like to say that it is not our practice to comment on speculative and selective reports about privileged matters.

[Inaudible]: Sir this is on record sir.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: No, but see, these are matters which were spoken in a particular forum. That forum, you know, is outside, I mean, it's a privileged forum. Therefore, we would like to restrict ourselves to what I just commented on your question.

Pranay, Canada ko lekar jo wahan par humare students ke sath, dekhiye sabse pahle Canada me sabse zyada Hindustani, 4.5 lakh se jyada Bharatiya student wahan hain. Mere khyaal se sabse zyada jo humare student varg kisi bhi desh mein hain wo Canada mein hain. Uske alava bhi wahan par humari Bharatiya samuday bahut badi hai. Jis advisory ki humne baat kahi hai ki humne unko sachet kiya hai wahan par kanoon vyvstha thik nahi hai, yeh kuchh samay pahle ki baat hai aur abhi usko zahir karne ka usko underline karne ka matlab yeh tha ki abhi humare teen students ka, unka murder huaa hai is kaaran se. Jahan tak Myanmar ke halat ka sawal hai, Myanmar mein jo bhi gatividhiyan ho rahi hain uspar hum log lagatar nazar banaye hue hain. Myanmar mein humara paksh yeh raha hai ki jo wahan par jitne bhi stakeholders hain wo sab saath milkar baat karein, ek constructive tarike se baat karein, taki wahan par shanti fir se lautkar aaye, sthirta fir se lautkar aaye aur wahan par Loktantra fir se bahal ho. Yeh humara aapke prashn ke liye jawab rahega.

[Answer in Hindi Approximate Translation] Pranay, regarding Canada with our students there, first of all see Canada has the highest number of Indians, more than 4.5 lakh Indian students are there. I think we have the largest number of students in any country in Canada. Apart from that, our Indian community is very large there. The advisory that we have talked about that we have alerted them that the law and order situation is not good there, this was some time ago and highlighting it now, underlining it is for the reason that now our three students have been murdered. As far as the situation in Myanmar is concerned, we are constantly keeping an eye on whatever activities are happening in Myanmar. Our position in Myanmar has been that all the stakeholders there should talk together, talk in a constructive manner, so that peace can be returned there, stability can be returned again and democracy can be restored there again. yes. This is the answer to your question.

Pranay: Sir Canada par mera sawal Visa sharton ko lekar hai?

[Question in Hindi Approximate Translation] Sir my question on Canada is regarding visa conditions?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Visa sharton ki jahan tak baat hai. Dekhiye hum logon ne dekha hai ki, media ke kai mamlo mein dekha hai ki is prakar ki reports aayi hain jo aap bata rahe hain ye humare samajh mein ek aur udaharan hai ki Canada ke media jis prakar ka disinformation campaign chala raha hai humare khilaf humko badnaam karne ke liye. Jahan tak visa ka sawal hai kisi bhi desh chahe Bharat ho ya koi anya desh ho yeh ek samprabhu karya hai, sovereign function hai. Hum kisko visa de ya na dena ye to humara khudka andruni mamla hai, samprabhuik karya hai aur iska respect hona chahiye. Aur ye humara legitimate right hai ki kisiko hum visa de ya na de, khaaskar un logon ko de ya na de jo humare khilaf bolta hai, jo humko khandit karna chahta hai, ye to humara khudka adhikar hai, usko visa de ya na de. Jis prakar ka commentary hum logon ko dekhne ko mil raha hai Canada ke media mein yeh to aisa lagta hai ki ek prakar se ki wahan par videshi hastakshep jiski baat wo kar rahe hain wo hastakshep humare karyon mein kar rahe hain. Unki taraf se foreign interference humare apne samprabhu karyon mein ho raha hai, humara sovereign function mein ho raha hai.

[Answer in Hindi Approximate Translation] As far as visa conditions are concerned. Look, we have seen the kind of reports which have come in the media which you are referring to and this is another example in our understanding of the kind of disinformation campaign that the Canadian media is running to defame us. As far as visa is concerned, it is a sovereign function of any country, be it India or any other country. To whom we give visa or not is our own internal matter. And it should be respected. And it is our legitimate right to give or not give visa to anyone, especially to those people who speak against us, who want to divide us, this is our own right, to give them visa or not. The kind of comments we are seeing in the Canadian media, it seems as if the foreign interference they are talking about, they are interfering in our work. Foreign interference from their side is happening in our sovereign affairs,

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: We have seen the said reports, we see it as yet another example of Canadian media's disinformation to malign India. Granting of Indian visa or for that matter any other visa is a sovereign function. As far as Indian visa is concerned, it is a sovereign right to deny visas to those who undermine our territorial integrity and the commentary that we see in the Canadian media on this matter is akin to foreign interference in India's sovereign affairs.

More questions? Keshav?

Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print: Sir, Keshav Padmanabhan from The Print. On the 11th of December, India backed UN General Assembly resolution on the UNRWA's operations in Palestine. However, Israel has banned it, which should be coming into effect from the 1st of January. So I just wanted to understand what would India do to ensure that the aid that it has promised to the UNRWA would continue and help its operations, despite the ban by Israel that will come into effect next year? Thank you.

Suhasini Haider, The Hindu: Thank you for taking my question. This is Suhasini Haider from The Hindu. Switzerland announced this week that it is suspending India's Most Favoured Nation status from January 1, 2025. I'm not sure if the MEA has taken a position on this? Their statement says very clearly that India does not share the Swiss interpretation of the Protocol on Reciprocity, given the Nestle case in India, and therefore is withdrawing or waiving its unilateral application of the MFN. I wanted to ask you about your reaction to this, as well as the impact it will have on the just-completed EFTA negotiations, which have not even been put into effect yet. My second question is a little old, but since we weren't able to ask last week. Essentially, the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, put out a series of statements last week accusing the US State Department of having a hand in a malignment campaign against India, against Prime Minister Modi, against Mr. Gautam Adani, and others. I wanted to know, these are serious allegations, whether India has raised them at an official stage with either the U.S. Embassy in Delhi or the U.S. State Department directly in Washington. And just to follow up on Kallol's question. I just wanted to ask, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is making these statements publicly. They are available in the audio as well, of the statements she's making about the political situation in Bangladesh. The government in Bangladesh has publicly issued its objections to these statements being made. They say it's a matter of interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs. So I just wanted to get your response to that. How does India see these statements being made? Does it in any way intend to change the position of Ms. Hasina in making them? Thank you.

Krishna Mohan Sharma, Bharat Express: Sir, Krishna Mohan Sharma from Bharat Express. My question is from Bangladesh. In pursuance of the Foreign Secretary's visit to Bangladesh, their Media Advisor said that there has been an attack on some minorities. 70 people were arrested. But at the same time, they are saying that this is because of personal enmity and a political vendetta. Do we have any mechanism that we should check that what they are saying is correct?

Sanjeev Barua, The Week: Sanjeev Barua from The Week. We've been seeing media reports about, from the Bangladesh side, the deployment of the Turkish Bayraktar drones, somewhere near the Indo-Bangladesh border. So do we have any more information on it? And if so, how do we react to it?

Mukesh Kaushik, Dainik Baskar: Sir Dainik Bhaskar se Mukesh Kaushik hoon main. Sir, Canada ke vipaksh ke neta, Maxime Bernier ne haal ke interview me kaha ki Canada sarkar ko Nijjar ki jo nagrikta thi, usko posthumously withdraw kar lena chahiye, kyunki woh ek videshi atankwadi tha. Isse Bharat aur Canada ke sambandhon me achha sudhaar hoga. Kya aapko lagta hai ki ye ek sahi disha me sahi kadam hoga?

[Question in Hindi Approximate Translation] Sir, I'm Mukesh Kaushik from Dainik Baskar. Sir, Canada's Leader of Opposition, Maxime Bernier, said in a recent interview that the Canadian government should withdraw Nijjar's citizenship posthumously, because he was a foreign terrorist. This will improve relations between India and Canada. Do you think this will be a right step in the right direction?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Let me come back. We have got 3-4 more questions.

Keshav, regarding UNRWA, we had expressed concerns that, you know, humanitarian aid in the region is very important for us, flow of humanitarian aid. And we ourselves, we deliver aid through UNRWA, we make – we continue to make contributions because UNRWA functions in the region, not just in Israel. So we hope that, you know, this issue – there will be some resolution, the impact is controlled and we will continue to assist, provide humanitarian assistance to people in the region.

Suhasini, I saw this news even as I was coming in here. My understanding is that with Switzerland, because of EFTA, the double taxation treaty that we have, it's going to be renegotiated. So, that is one aspect of it. The other one is this most favored nation. I don't have an update on it as to the details, etc. We'll come back to you with more on that account. On a question regarding the allegations about interference, we have seen reports about foreign interference in India, including in the international media. You're also aware that this was discussed in both houses of the parliament. So, that is where I'll stop. Now, on Sheikh Hasina issue, I have already addressed what we think, what our position is while I was answering Kallol's question. So that, I guess, is what our view on your question is.

Krishnamohan ji, on minority issues, we have been speaking on this issue. And when Foreign Secretary travelled to Dhaka, again, he raised these issues and concerns to the Bangladeshi side, that, you know, it is your responsibility that you have to take care of, in your own interest, you have to take care of minorities. They have, two days back, they have said that 70 people have been arrested. We hope that Bangladeshi, and it is our expectation that the Bangladeshi side will do the needful.

Sanjeev, on your question, see, we have seen these reports which came out recently. We are unable to their authenticity.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Mukesh ji, jahan tak Canada ka sawaal hai, Canada mein humare khilaf jo anti-India activities chal rahi hain uske baare mein hum logon ne kai dafa baat ki. Aapko bataya ki humari position kya hai. Aur Nijjar ke mamle mein bhi hum logon ne aapko bataya aapko, ki humari position kya hai. Toh main chahunga ki hum logon ne ispar jo apna jo vaktvya ya tippni rakha hai usko aap dekhein. Usse aapko saaf zahir hoga ki abhi bhi hum log kah rahe hain ki jo anti-India elements hain Canada mein uske khilaf wahan ki sarkar ko karvahi karni chahiye aur wahan par jo unhone usko jo rajnaitik panaah yah jagah diya huaa hai use band karna chahiye.

[Answer in Hindi Approximate Translation] Mukesh ji, as far as Canada is concerned, the anti-India activities that are going on against us in Canada, we talked about it many times, we already told you what our position is, and also told you our position on the Nijjar issue. So, I would like you to look at the statements we have made on this. We are still saying that the government should take action against the anti-India elements in Canada and they should stop giving political asylum that they are providing to them.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: We have two questions. One, two, three. Okay.

Raghavendra Verma, ZDF: This is Raghavendra Verma from German Television, ZDF. My question is about Syria. How does India see the situation developing there? There are reports of foreign interference in how the situation has evolved. Is India satisfied with it, or is it negotiating or discussing with other partners, maybe on the BRICS Forum, on what should be happening?

Neeraj Dubey, Prabha Sakshi: Sir, namaskar. Main Neeraj Dubey, Prabha Sakshi se. Mera prashna ye hai ki kuch sansado ne Nobel Committee ko patra likha hai, kuch logo ne abhiyan bhi chalaya hai Nobel Committee ko patra likhe ka, ki jo Muhammad Yunus hain, unka jo Nobel Shanti Puraskar unko diya gaya tha, us ki firse samiksha ki jaye. To ispar Videsh Mantarlaya ki koi pratikriya rahegi, Sir?

[Question in Hindi Approximate Translation] Sir, namaskar. I'm Neeraj Dubey from Prabha Sakshi. My question is that some members of parliament have written a letter to the Nobel Committee. Some people have also launched campaigns to write a letter to the Nobel Committee, seeking a review of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Muhammad Yunus. Any reaction to this from the Foreign Affairs Ministry?

Huma Siddiqui: Sir, political unrest is growing in South Korea. So is India planning to evacuate Indians from there? And how many Indians are there?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: We have a question there. Last question.

Vinit Dixit, Newsgate: Vinit Dixit from Newsgate. Sir, this is about the deployment of BSF along the Bangladesh border where the restriction and the tilling rights which the farmers get till up till the zero line. Are we replicating something what we see along the Western border, along Pakistan, where the movement is restricted so that gun running and other activities do not take place? Are we implementing the same model around the Bangladesh border?

Neeraj, News 18 India: Sir mein Neeraj hoon News 18 India se. Abhi haal hi mein North Korea mein Bhartiya Dootavas ne kaamkaj shuru kiya hai. Bhartiya Rajdut ki niyukti kab tak hogi aur kis star par abhi kaamkaz shuru huaa hai?

[Question in Hindi Approximate Translation] Sir, This is Neeraj from News 18 India. The Indian Embassy has recently started operations in North Korea. When will the Indian Ambassador be appointed? And at what level has the work started?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, Raghvendra, on your question, you know, on Syria, we have issued a statement where we made clear as to where we stand on the developments there. So I would urge you to have a look at our statement. On our side, we continue to monitor the developments in the country.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Neeraj, jo aapka sawal hai ye sawal to aap Nobel Laureate Committee se pucchiye. Wahan par le jayein unke paas iska jawab hoga, humare pas thodi hai.

[Answer in Hindi Approximate Translation] Neeraj, on your question, you can ask this question to the Nobel Laureate Committee, take it there, they will have the answer, we don't have it.

Huma, see, life in South Korea continues. There have been domestic developments, but life is normal. So there is no question of evacuation of Indian students or Indian nationals from South Korea. We have some 15,000 Indian nationals in South Korea. 5,000 of them are Indian students, the rest are professionals. But life is normal, so the question of evacuation, et cetera, does not arise.

Dixit ji, your question regarding BSF deployment. BSF is deployed in areas where they have to be to protect, to ensure security and related functions. So whether we are replicating one particular model in other areas, et cetera, I don't have an answer on that because it's a very technical question, but I'll come back to you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson : Neeraj, North Korea mein jab COVID hua, us samay hum logo ne, kyunki bohut sari bandishein thi, us kaaran se hum logo ne wahan par, humko band karna pada. COVID jab ek baar khatam hua, uske asar khatam hue, uske baad hum logon ne firse khola hai, Dootavas hamara. Aur wahan hamare rajyaneyik log hain, woh wahan pohoch gaye hain. Aur ambassador ki niyukti kab hogi? Ye jab hogi, tab main aapko bata dunga. To ye hai kahani.

[Answer in Hindi Approximate Translation] Neeraj, when COVID hit North Korea, we had to shut down our Embassy there due to the restrictions there. Once COVID and its effects ended, we reopened our Embassy there. Our officials have reached there. As to when the Ambassador shall be appointed? Whenever the appointment is made, I will surely let you know.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Kallol and Jugal you've got two questions, and then we are...

Kallol, The Hindu: I'll just come back to Syria once again, sir. Of course, you've said that you are tracking the developments, and the Indians are being evacuated, etc. But then on the ground, there are these groups called HTS and SNA. Now, when you regard them as terrorist groups, these are parts of ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Al-Nusra, and they are now in positions of power in the region. They are today welcoming the Turkish intelligence chief in Damascus. Have Government of India taken any position as far as the HTS is concerned? Do you consider them as a terrorist group? These are the questions that are still floating in the air, sir. Some clarity would help. Thank you.

Jugal, BBC: Hi, this is Jugal from the BBC. Sir, I have two questions. First is, with regards to what's happening in Myanmar, there was some reports that the Mizoram government is trying to build some kind of settlements for some of the refugees or the displaced people from Bangladesh. So because that state is also hosting people from Myanmar, could you give us an update on what's happening with the refugee situation in that state? The second question, sir, is a follow-up from my last presser's question, which was about whether or not the Indian and Nepalese governments are discussing taking the Agni-Path issue any further after the Indian Army chiefs visit there and their chief coming here on a reciprocal visit. Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Kallol, I would request you that please, on the developments in Syria, while we are monitoring the situation, we have made clear as to what we think of the situation. We have spoken about the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.

No, but our position is what we have said. As of now, it is an evolving situation. So, I would urge you to look at our statement. That is what our position is.

Jugal, regarding your particular question, Mizoram government will build housing for Indian citizens. That is perfectly fine. Whether they are building for X or Y, I am not in the know of it. But that is the information I have. On India-Nepal, we have the Army Chief here. This is a longstanding practice between India and Nepal that the Army Chief comes here. He was hosted by our Army Chief and then honorary rank was accorded to him by Rashtrapati Ji. And he had several other engagements, including meeting with the Foreign Secretary, the National Security Advisor. And we all have discussed, I mean, the leaders have discussed, the Army Chief from Nepal has discussed issues of mutual interest, including defense ties, and also shared experiences on security situation in the region. And you know, through these mechanisms, it's a long-standing traditional practice. We want to continue to strengthen India-Nepal relationship and also our defence ties with Nepal. Specifically, whether this particular issue was discussed or not, I don't have an answer. But hopefully, I'll get an answer for you on that.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for your presence and patience.