Official Spokesperson (Shri Syed Akbaruddin): Good afternoon friends and thank you very much for being here this afternoon.
I have a readout today of one of the meetings that took place this morning, following which I will be willing to answer any questions that any of you may have on that meeting. After that, the floor is then open, as usual, for anyone of you to ask any other
questions on anything that you may want to ask. And we will do that in a sequential manner.
The External Affairs Minister today met the visiting Sri Lankan Minister for External Affairs Prof. Peiris. This was Prof. Peiris’ third visit to India this year. Those of you who are following it are aware that he was here in January when he met the then External
Affairs Minister. Subsequently he visited along with the President of Sri Lanka for the swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers. And this is his third visit to India.
It shows the closeness of ties and bonds between India and Sri Lanka. He was for the first time formally meeting the External Affairs Minister. Of course the two had met previously when the External Affairs Minister, as the Leader of the Opposition in 2012,
had visited Sri Lanka leading a delegation of Members of Parliament.
The discussions, if I may try and encapsulate them, covered all substantive issues that India and Sri Lanka are engaged on an ongoing basis about. Primary to this are issues relating to the fishermen. Both Ministers discussed this at some length and felt that
there needs to be a longer term solution to this problem. External Affairs Minister thanked Prof. Peiris and the President of Sri Lanka for having adopted what is a "fast track” approach towards repatriation of Indian fishermen who are taken into custody by
Sri Lanka. In fact during the course of this year 805 Indian fishermen have been repatriated or are being repatriated to India so far. They were in custody and have been released through this fast track approach.
If one were to try and take those who have been repatriated since the new government came into power on 26th of May, it is I think 249. These 249 include 37 who have been released today. We are making arrangements for their return. So the numbers that we are
talking of this year are much larger than any in the last five years. We did a tabulation of numbers since 2009 and we found that the numbers that have been released so far this year are the largest that have been in the last five years.
Both Prof. Peiris as well as the External Affairs Minister felt that this needs to be addressed as an issue of livelihood and we need to work on solutions on a longer term basis. Of course there is no solution right now available on this but as a gesture that
the Sri Lankans have been releasing these fishermen, External Affairs Minister thanked him for this.
There was also a discussion on economic ties. Perhaps you are aware that Prof. Peiris was in Hyderabad yesterday to discuss with the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh about an investment from Sri Lanka into India. This is the largest investment from Sri Lanka
into India. It is approximately a billion dollars. This relates to a garment city called Brandix which is in Visakhapatnam. And currently it provides employment for about 38,500 Indian nationals. There will be some Sri Lankan nationals also but approximately
that is the number that we have in terms of this. Also there was a discussion about Indian investment into Sri Lanka which is approximately of the same size over the last decade or so.
Both the Ministers, however, felt that while investment is moving freely, there are issues with trade. India and Sri Lanka have approximately on last count a trade turnover of about USD 4.8 billion during the last financial year. This is slightly less than
previous years. There are issues that need to be addressed and both the Ministers felt that it is time that both of us need to address these issues.
Other than that there was also a discussion on measures that Sri Lanka is taking in terms of initiatives relating to accountability and reconciliation on the island.
There was also a fairly detailed discussion on Indian development projects. If any of you are interested, I can provide some information on those issues too, as well as on Indian projects in Sri Lanka in general. I think that is what in a summary I can say
was the discussion.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister has invited the External Affairs Minister to visit Sri Lanka at an appropriate date - as you are aware, India and Sri Lanka have a Joint Commission - and the External Affairs Minister has accepted this invitation. The dates will
be worked out according to mutual convenience through diplomatic channels.
I think I will stop there. If any of you have any questions on this, I am willing to answer.
Question: Akbar, you said that one of the things discussed by Prof. Peiris and Mrs. Swaraj was measures taken vis-à-vis accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. You are aware that one of the things that the United
Nations is pushing for is an international observers’ team to go to Sri Lanka. From the point of view of the Indian Government which sees such investigation from the outside – let us say over the issue of Jammu and Kashmir – as an internal issue, what is India’s
official position on this UN team that wants to visit Sri Lanka? And also, please if I am allowed a Part B, did you speak about the Thirteenth Amendment?
Official Spokesperson: Only one question, and I will answer the first question.
Yes, there was, as you said, a fairly detailed presentation by Prof. Peiris about the initiatives that they are taking, of their own national efforts for reconciliation and accountability. As regards what you are saying is the outcome of the UN Resolution,
you are aware that (a) we abstained on the Resolution but (b) we also voted against that specific paragraph which was wanting to send a team. So, our views are pretty clear on this. This is not about a country specific issue; this is a matter of principle
that we have always held.
And you are aware that we have articulated why we feel so in terms of our approach to human rights. We feel that international bodies need to address human rights through a cooperative framework, not a punitive approach. Therefore, we have explained this at
great length. There is no change in our position on what we stand for in terms of our approach to human rights issues in various countries and specifically relating to Sri Lanka, as has been articulated previously at the appropriate forum in March.
Question: Did they discuss the issue of Sri Lankan refugees, asylum seekers, coming to India; and did they discuss the boat of Sri Lankan asylum seekers that has been stranded on its way to Australia? And I am asking that
second part because there is a group in Tamil Nadu saying that about a quarter of those people have actually come from refugee camps in Tamil Nadu.
Official Spokesperson: I think we discuss this with governments. Issues relating to refugees etc., are discussed with governments. This issue did not figure today. However, let me try and address your concerns on that.
The Government of Australia has not taken this issue up with us as yet. While all of you are very concerned about it, ultimately governments work with governments. And when the Government of Australia takes this up with us, we will respond appropriately to
those issues. At this stage this has not been taken up with us. So, obviously we are not discussing with another country about this.
Question: …(Inaudible)…
Official Spokesperson: You would appreciate that this is not something that there is an outcome likely in a course of a discussion between two External Affairs Ministers. This is an ongoing discussion. I started off by
saying that all issues of ongoing engagement between India and Sri Lanka were covered. Therefore, of necessity, those issues that you are referring to were covered.
Question: …(Inaudible)…
Official Spokesperson: Mr. Venkat, these are matters which have defied solution for quite some time. You are aware of this. There is an ongoing discussion and engagement between India and Sri Lanka on various aspects relating
to the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. And there are several elements to that discussion which is of ongoing nature. I will not get into the specific details of what was discussed and what was not discussed because my intention is to provide you a broad understanding
of where we are in the relationship, what are the broad issues discussed. And ultimately diplomatic communication can only be successful if these things are discussed in a way that we can move ahead because the goal is to move ahead rather than to talk of
these issues in public.
So, I am not going to address specific issues that you raise on an individual basis. I have told you the rubric under which we have discussed issues; and I hope that will suffice for the present because diplomacy also requires time and space for diplomats to
work on these issues.
Question: Sir, you mentioned about this one billion dollar investment in Visakhapatnam, Brandix. When this came up in the meeting, what exactly was it? Were there any assurances from the Centre or anything like that?
Official Spokesperson: You are going down the same route. I explained to you that this was in the context of an investment climate between India and Sri Lanka. However, obviously this was a symbol of how engagement and investment is flowing both sides.
What exactly is this, you need to go down to Vizag and find out rather than me getting into specifics of diplomatic discussions on that. What I want to tell you is that investment between Indian and Sri Lanka is a two-way process. That two-way process is exemplified
from a Sri Lankan angle in India through this big garment city which has more than 38,000 nationals from India working there. And the idea is to indicate to you that ultimately close relationships are a two-way street.
Question: There was a press release from the Sri Lankan Government saying that both countries have agreed to deal with the fishermen issue with some practical arrangements. May I know what are the arrangements we have made
already? Is there any discussion going on that international maritime border line issue?
Official Spokesperson: I do not know the press release that you are talking of. I do not know what it is. However, as I said, right now External Affairs Minister thanked the External Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka about
fast-track approach for release of our fishermen. I have also told you how that fast-track approach has helped. Two hundred and forty nine Indian fishermen have been released in less than two months, in fact, perhaps six weeks or so. A total of 805 Indian
fishermen have been released in about less than seven months. This is far far more than the numbers previously. So, if there is a practical approach that is right now in place, that is what it is. As regards the longer term approach, there is an understanding
and an agreement on both sides that we need to address this. We are not down that road as yet having addressed this fully. So, once we address it we certainly will share those details with you. At this stage there is only an understanding that this needs to
be addressed.
Question: Did the issue of the recent riots in Sri Lanka come up between the Buddhists in any way?
Official Spokesperson: No.
Question: Did India reiterate about the implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment and going beyond it?
Official Spokesperson: I already told you, our stated position is well-known. I do not need to every time tell you. I said that all issues of a substantive nature where there is ongoing engagement were taken up and discussed.
And please do understand that I am trying to give you a summary of a meeting which lasted for more than two hours. So, of necessity that summary is going to be by your reckoning cursory. But by my reckoning I am here to provide you broad contours, not specific
details.
Question: Akbar, was the issue of Kachchatheevu raised by either side? And what is the current status? Last year the UPA government had told the Supreme Court that no island had been ceded.
Official Spokesperson: I will only answer one question. The answer to your first question is no.
Let us follow the norms that we all have agreed to. If senior journalists willfully violate these norms, then I do not know what example it sets for others. Repeatedly you are violating those norms. My request to you please is ask one question and I will answer
that. And there are others here who will ask other questions and I will answer those too.
If there are no more questions on this, are there any questions on anything else?
Question: Akbar, the question is on Iraq. The families of those who are still trapped in Mosul are conveying to one of my colleagues, as you can understand, their anxiety and frustration and are also articulating their
feeling that the government has not done …(Inaudible)… who were brought back. Is there any reassurance you can give them or update on the situation?
Official Spokesperson: Amrita, I think we need to understand that a zone of conflict and a zone of war is an immensely difficult situation. It is a situation not of our making. It is a situation over which we have no control.
It is not a situation where there are normal diplomatic channels available or possible to be used. And I do understand and we do understand the difficulties and the travails of the families. And let me assure them through you that every effort is being done.
Every possible effort well beyond diplomatic normal possibilities are being explored.
Now I do understand, several of you repeatedly ask me what is the situation today. And my answer to that previously has been that if there is a change in the status, we will certainly share it with you. After all, all of you are aware, no news is always good
news. And none of you will report good news. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, that is the norm that I have been following in terms of not getting on a day-by-day commentary basis. However, if there is a reassurance that needs to be provided to the family,
I can confirm now – and this is only for the sake of those families – that since the last time I met you we have had through interlocutors contact with the Indians in captivity. And the information that we have got from them is that they are unharmed but remain
in captivity.
Question: Akbar, Prime Minister Modi is traveling to Brazil for the BRICS summit and he is also going to have a set of bilateral meetings. Is there a greater clarity now about his specific bilateral engagements; and if
so, what are these?
Official Spokesperson: When you last asked this question I said that we were in the process of working out details. Let me confirm to you, yes, it is normal for us to have bilateral engagements with BRICS leaders. However,
given that this is a multilateral meeting, such bilateral arrangements are on the margins of multilateral meeting. Those bilateral meetings can only take place during breaks or prior to those meetings because the primary focus is on a multilateral event.
Let me assure you, we are working on ensuring that there will be meetings during those breaks. Those breaks are a little bit flexible because as you know once leaders start their discussions they tend to overrun, and this happens all the time in all multilateral
fora. We presume that the meeting will end at a certain time but they overrun. Therefore, at this stage if I share with you the timings of those meetings, you would then tell me, ‘Well, 2 o’clock, there was no meeting’. Maybe there is overflow of the bilateral
event. But let me assure you that there will be substantial meetings with senior BRICS leaders with the Prime Minister of India.
Question: I just want to know the composition of the Prime Minister’s delegation to the summit.
Official Spokesperson: The Prime Minister will be assisted by the Minister of State for Commerce (Independent Charge). He will also have along with him the National Security Advisor. And there will be several Secretaries
to Government of India who are responsible for specific areas relating to the BRICS.
Question: This is on the UN soldiers’ issue. Your Pakistani counterpart has said that these measures are inconsequential and do not have any impact on the legal state of the dispute, and the mandate as far as the UNSC 51
remains. Would you like to comment on that?
Official Spokesperson: Shrinjoy, these are statements addressed to you. I never address any of those terms, and also I never address these things in terms of the last century. We talk of our relationship with our neighbours
in terms of the present, the year and the now and the future. We are not looking back to the last century about issues which we are very clear about. And you are aware with clarity what we have articulated.
Question: Does India want UNMOGIP out of that residence or we want them out of Jammu & Kashmir and we want them out of India?
Official Spokesperson: Gaurav, you said it all.
Question: This is again on UNMOGIP. The letter that was sent was for them to vacate the building in Delhi. Is there any such thing on the building that they occupy in Srinagar and their posts in Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri,
because they still have officials facilitating their travel?
Official Spokesperson: Geeta, I think when I last clarified I said this is part of rationalizing the presence of UNMOGIP. All we have said is that there are several measures that we have taken to rationalize the present
and to monetize the facilities being provided to them in addition to what we have done here in New Delhi. And that is where we stand. I think I was very clear, it is available on the record, and you are also aware of our generic position on that. So, I do
not want to again repeat a position that we have been repeating for about forty years.
Question: Sir, Pakistani Videsh Mantralaya ne bola ki Videsh Sachiv star ki vaarta jald honewali hai aur unke Videsh Sachiv ne bhi yeh bola. Is par kya chal raha hai, kab tak baithak hogi, koi tithi nischit ho gahi hai
kya?
Official Spokesperson: Santosh, aap jaante hain Videsh Sachiv ne pehle kuchh baat kahi thi. Unhon ne kahi thi, we will be in touch. Toh, agar main Hindi mein iska anuvaad karun toh, pehle baat hogi, baat ke baad mulaqaat
dekhte hain. Pehle baat toh hone dein.
Question: Sir, Arusha mein joh blast hua tha usmein 8 Indians zakhmi hue thei. Unka state bata sakte hain? Us par joh investigation hui hai, kya aap ke saath share kiya hai Tanzania ne?
Official Spokesperson: Yes, we have been in touch with the local government both in Darussalam and in Arusha. There were eight Indians who were injured in that blast. However, five of them were moved to another hospital
in Nairobi and I understand since then they are not in danger of any sort. One Indian national who was in the local hospital has had serious injuries. He is being assisted by a consular officer from our Mission in Darussalam. We have also taken this up in
Arusha. So, at this stage what I can confirm to you is that both in Arusha and in Darussalam this matter has been taken up by our Mission with the competent authorities and we will work with them and seek any responses as and when they come in. And if necessary,
we will share them with you if you still want to follow that.
Question: Sir, my question is on Afghanistan. As you are aware, there has been concern expressed of large scale electoral fraud in connection with the recently held Presidential elections. US Secretary of State Kerry is
in Kabul today addressing these concerns. Are these concerns you share, and more importantly have you engaged with the Afghan Government at any level to try and facilitate some kind of an outcome?
Official Spokesperson: I think I have answered that some time ago about our approach to this entire issue. That said, unlike others the South Asian way is to do these things in a manner that need not be shouting from the
pulpit. So, we are engaged. Obviously Afghanistan and India have a relationship which is across all sections of Afghan society. All the candidates are friends of India. Therefore, if there is anything that we can do to assist in that process, certainly we
will be doing it.
Question: Akbar, Afghanistan mein ek Tamil ladke ka kidnapping hua tha, unke baare mein kuchh pata chal paaya hai?
Official Spokesperson: Jahan tak mere samajh mein hai, abhi tak us case par kuchh aur mujhe information nahin hai. Again as I said, there is no point in repeating a situation where there is no change. So, I can confirm
to you that as far as we are concerned there is no change in what I last told you.
Question: Sir, William Burns was here. Can you throw some light on the visit?
Official Spokesperson: I think he has thrown quite a lot of light, he is on television. Let me try and encapsulate again. The visit was to chalk out pathways to the forthcoming strategic dialogue as well as the forthcoming
visit of Prime Minister to the United States. So, what we have begun now is a process whereby paths are being chalked out. Now these paths obviously are of very broad nature because India and the US have an extremely deep relationship. You are aware of the
number of fora in which we interact both bilaterally and multilaterally. So, our effort is to have a strategic dialogue which paves the way to a summit level meeting with concrete outcomes. And that is what the process that has been initiated by Deputy Secretary
Burns is all about.
Question: You said, pehle baat hogi phir mulaqaat hogi. Should we presume that jab se touch mein hone ki baat aayi tab se baat tak nahin hui?
Official Spokesperson: I would like to recall what the Foreign Secretary said then. Baat toh kayi tareeqe se hoti hai. She also said, we have diplomatic missions there and here. Sure our diplomatic missions are in touch.
You are aware, every time they come and contact us you get the information. So, you are aware of it. There have been contacts certainly as diplomats there are regular contacts. Lekin agar aap pooch rahe hain ki donon Videsh Sachivon ki baat hui, mera javaab
hai, pehle baat hone dijiye, uske baad mulaqaat hogi.
Question: …(Inaudible)…
Official Spokesperson: No. I think we will end this right now. Thank you very much.
(Concluded)
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