Shri Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson and JS (XPD):
Good evening, friends, and welcome to the weekly media briefing. I will begin with a couple of announcements.
Hon’ble President Shri Pranab Mukherjee will be paying a State visit to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand from April 28 to May 2, 2016. This will be the first ever visit by a President of India to the two countries. The President will be
accompanied by Union Cabinet Minister for Food Processing, Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal and a delegation of Members of Parliament.
Several agreements are expected to be signed during the visit in the fields of economic cooperation, education and connectivity. Papua New Guinea is the largest of the Pacific Island countries both in terms of land area and population
and is blessed with abundant natural resources. Prime Minister Peter O’Neill visited India for the 2nd FIPIC summit in August last year. A number of areas of cooperation between India and Papua New Guinea are in the process of finalisation in fields
such as health, infrastructure development, capacity building etc.
With New Zealand, India has traditionally had a close relationship. The Governor General of New Zealand visited India in 2008, 2010 and 2011 and Prime Minister John Key had visited India in 2011. Both sides see prospects for cooperation
in agriculture, dairy, food processing, education and skill development as well as high technology. The Indian diaspora of 175,000 helps to further cement our close ties.
My second announcement pertains to the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Mr L. Purevsuren. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Mr L. Purevsuren will pay an official visit to India from April 27-29, 2016.
The visit follows the successful high-level visits of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Mongolia in May last year and that of Speaker of Lok Sabha, Smt Sumitra Mahajan, earlier this month. The minister’s programme includes a visit to Agra and official engagements
in New Delhi. During the visit, the 5thIndia-Mongolia Joint Committee on Cooperation, the IMJCC, will be held on April 28, 2016, which will be chaired by EAM on our side and the Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs on the Mongolian side. The talks
are expected to cover a broad agenda, including bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest.
That concludes my announcements. The floor is now open for questions.
Q & A
Q.
We just now saw the conclusion of the Special Representatives talks in China. Can you just give us an understanding, what was the net gain for India?
Official Spokesperson: National Security Advisor participated in the 19th round of the Special Representative talks. Discussions focused on two broad issues. One, efforts to
find a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question and two, the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas. On the first matter, both sides are discussing a framework for boundary settlement and the 19th
round carried forward these discussions. On the second issue, both sides agreed that no major incident had taken place in the last several months. They discussed various means to strengthen peace and tranquillity in the border areas. In this context both sides
agreed to establish a hotline between the two armed forces and we will now work out the modalities. Of course, the NSA also exchanged views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Q. When will the hotline become operational?
Official Spokesperson: Well, as I said, now it will become operational. The modalities will now be finalised between the two sides.
Q. Two brief questions. One, related to China, you know Beijing has raised objections to the visit of activist Dolkun Isa. India has granted visa to him. He will be attending the WUC conference in Dharamsala next
week. How do you react? And isn’t it really double standards from China, keeping in view their statement on Masood Azhar and the veto.
Official Spokesperson: Look we have seen media reports on this purported visit of Dolkun Isa to India. At the moment the Ministry of External Affairs is trying to ascertain the facts.
Q. A week ago, you had given a show cause notice to Mr Mallya saying that he should respond regarding his passport. Has he responded and secondly, if he has not, will you revoke the passport?
Official Spokesperson: Well, he has responded through his lawyer, but I have further developments to report to you. The Ministry of External Affairs has received a request from the Enforcement
Directorate (ED) conveying to us that the Court of Sessions, Greater Mumbai, has issued a non-bailable warrant in the name of Shri Vijay Mallya. On the basis of that non-bailable warrant, they have requested us to consider initiating steps for the deportation
of Shri Vijay Mallya to India to ensure his presence before the lawful authorities to proceed with the investigations against him. We are currently consulting legal experts on the next steps in this particular matter.
Q. Just to clarify what happens. Is it because he has questioned the suspension of the passport in Supreme Court that you are not going ahead with the revocation at the moment?
Official Spokesperson: No, basically they have now written to us that there is a non-bailable warrant issued against Shri Mallya; and on the basis of that non-bailable warrant the MEA
should consider initiating steps for the deportation of Shri Mallya. So, the two things will happen separately. I mean, there is the issue of the revocation of his passport and there is also the issue of his deportation.
Q. Sir, the CBI is preparing a dossier to reopen the case, the Kim Davy case. And a Danish lawyer is also being appointed. I think it is in the final stages. Can you tell us in more detail, what the government
really wishes to do and when this process will start?
Official Spokesperson: Well, the government is committed to bring back Kim Davy to face justice. There is no doubt about that. Currently, we are in the process of having consultations
with the various agencies in this regard.
Q. Sir, could you please update us on the status of the murder case of Chikku Robert. EAM yesterday tweeted about it. What is the prima facie investigation report?
Official Spokesperson: Well on April 21, 2016 in Salalah, Oman, a nurse from Kerala, Chikku Robert was found murdered. Our mission in Muscat has informed us that the Royal Oman Police
is currently investigating her death. A Pakistani national, her neighbour and her husband are under detention and are being investigated. The Embassy is in touch with the concerned police authorities. Her mortal remains are in a mortuary under the custody
of the Royal Oman police. The mission in Oman will continue to follow up the case with concerned authorities, including the release and transportation of mortal remains after the investigation is completed as per the wishes of the family.
Q. The Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, in a recent interview, had said that they are not excluding the option of the NIA being given access to Pakistan, provided India makes a
formal request. First, do you welcome that statement? Second, by when will India make a formal request for the NIA to visit Pakistan?
Official Spokesperson: Ok, as far as the second part of your question is concerned, the investigations are ongoing, as you know, in both countries. We will consider the next step at an
appropriate time. So far as your first part of the question is concerned, as you have heard from me on several occasions and also from my Pakistani counterpart, the JIT visit was held in a very constructive and cooperative environment to investigate the Pathankot
air base attack. We welcome cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms.
Q. This is about the issue of diplomatic passport of an individual. If and when the government revokes the diplomatic passport, what happens to the gentleman’s other passport? Does it also automatically get revoked?
Official Spokesperson: You cannot keep two passports at the same time…
Q. …So, if you revoke the diplomatic passport, that’s the end of it?
Official Spokesperson: Correct.
Q. Can you confirm if President Obama has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi andPrime Minister Modi has accepted the invitation or not?
Official Spokesperson: When President Obama and Prime Minister Modi last met in Washington DC during the Nuclear Security Summit, President Obama had expressed a wish for a bilateral summit
to review the progress of India-US bilateral ties. At the same time, as you know, there is a well- established procedure for announcing Prime Minister’s visits abroad which is done in coordination with the host country. We will let you know when we have information
on that particular aspect.
Q. Sir, as you know Malayalee couples were killed in a plane crash in Croatia last month. The families have not received the remains of couples till now. Do you have any information on that?
Official Spokesperson: No, I do not have any information on that. I will find out and get back to you.
Q. As far as I know, most of the MPs before being MP, they have a personal passport. But, when they become MP, they get a diplomatic passport. Does the personal passport automatically get cancelled? I think
most of the officials also keep personal passport…
Official Spokesperson: The personal passport is either then kept in the custody of the Ministry of External Affairs. As I said, you can have only one passport at a particular point in
time. So, if your existing passport is cancelled or revoked, then you do not have any other passport at that point of time. That’s what I am saying.
Q. I think…Are you sure?
Official Spokesperson: You cannot keep two passports. If you have two, then please watch out.
Q. India Today carried out an investigation that Vijay Mallya also has properties which are undeclared in his affidavits in Parliament so far, in New York especially. Has the ED approached MEA, because the ED has
been scrutinizing him, been scrutinizing these properties. Is this something you can take up at any level?
Official Spokesperson:Please understand that the Ministry of External Affairs is not an investigative agency. ED approaches us in respect of actions that the Ministry of External Affairs
can take. We can take action pertaining to the passport of an individual because the ‘Passports Act’ is administered by us. So, they have asked us to take action now for the deportation of Mr Vijay Mallya for the revocation of his passport and those two actions
are underway.
Q. Did you ask the Pakistan government to ensure the safety of Indian prisoners in its jails?
Official Spokesperson: Yes, through our High Commission in Pakistan, we have asked the Government of Pakistan to take all necessary steps for ensuring safety, security and well-being of
all Indians in Pakistani custody and naturally this has been reiterated in light of what has happened with Kripal Singh.
Q. Vikas, you said Mallya has responded. Has he responded because he has a deadline today…
Official Spokesperson: He has responded through his lawyer…
Q. What has he responded? Could you share with us, as to what he has …
Official Spokesperson: No, I am not … (inaudible)… to share with you…
Q… And does he have a residency permit? Will that change things?
Official Spokesperson: Those kind of things, as I said, MEA is not the investigative agency. Those questions you should address to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). I can answer questions
only pertaining to the domain of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Q. How easy or how difficult is it to get Mr Mallya back in India? Is it a very cumbersome process?
Official Spokesperson:Please, I mean this is not a forum to debate philosophical questions
Q. I was given to understand that Nepalese President is visiting India. Can you give some details about this? And secondly can you restate your policy about Kohinoor and what steps you are taking to bring it back.
Official Spokesperson: On your first question, India shares unique centuries-old civilisational links with Nepal. Our age old ties have been nurtured by frequent high level visits. In
this context, we look forward to welcoming the President of Nepal, Smt Bidya Devi Bhandari, next month in India on her first official visit abroad since taking office. Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji has extended an invitation to her for the official visit during which
she will be our honoured guest to stay at the Rashtrapati Bhavan while in New Delhi. President Bhandari has also evinced interest in participating in the Simhasta Mahakumbh festival which is being held in Ujjain in May 2016, which we will also be very happy
to arrange. On Kohinoor…You would already have seen the press release that the PIB put out. Basically the Government of India remains committed to bringing back in an amicable fashion this valuable artefact which has strong roots in our nation’s history and
Government of India will take all steps which are necessary to bring back the Kohinoor in an amicable manner.
Q. Sir, after the Pakistan JIT returned back to their country, have you heard anything from them on what the next step will be, when they will share some information with us. And what is the status of the dialogue
process with Pakistan right now?
Official Spokesperson: Well as far as the dialogue process is concerned, you know multiple conversations have been held between India and Pakistan at multiple levels, including at the
level of the two Prime Ministers who spoke to each other quite recently. Obviously, after the Pathankot terror attack, the focus of the conversations was on the investigation of that particular attack. However, other aspects of the relationship have also been
discussed. I have made statements and so has my Pakistani counterpart. So, this should give you clarity that the dialogue process has not been suspended. The rest, of course, is a matter of detail. As and when I have something definite to tell you, I will….
So what I am saying is that the dialogue has never been suspended.
Q. Sir, Pakistan ke jo Rajdoot hain yahaan par, kabhi bhi kisi tarah ka bayaan dete, humaare jo wahaan Rajdoot jo hai woh laghbag chup rehte hain ya bolte nahi hain. Kya abhivyakti ki unhe Aazaadi hai ki kuch bolne
par…
Official Spokesperson: Nahi, iss vishay par mujhe bhi chup rehna chahiye!
Q. Inaudible…
Official Spokesperson: Dekhiye, China ko humne apni pratikriyata bahut spasht shabdon mein bata diya hai. Jin teenoh channel ki aapne baat ki, teenon level par humne China ko apni pratikriyata
bata di hai. Aur yeh bhi humne kaha hai ki terrorism ek aisa mudda hai jis par double standards ya selective approach nahi rakhna chahiye. Ab dekhte hain iske aage kya hota hai.
Q. Sir, you are on record saying that India has been home to the persecuted people for centuries… in view of meeting of this dissidents from China…
Official Spokesperson: As I said, I am still ascertaining the facts on that…
Q. …Just let me complete. What is the Government of India’s position when it comes to all this…
Official Spokesperson: How can I give you my position unless I know the facts…
Q… The Government of India’s position?
Official Spokesperson: I cannot give you my position unless I know the facts. So, I am still in the process of ascertaining the facts. This is certainly not something the MEA has organised
as you know.
Q. Inaudible…
Official Spokesperson: No, I am still waiting for a formal communication in this regard from the Pakistani side.
Q. What’s the update on gurdwara attack in Germany?
Official Spokesperson: On the Gurudwara, ok… We assume this to be an act of terrorism. The Essen police held a press conference in which they announced the arrest of one Yusuf T., who
is reported to have surrendered after a manhunt was launched. The police claim a confession and suggest that he has a possible link with the Islamic State (IS). Investigation is ongoing and more details are awaited. We are closely monitoring the situation.
Our Ambassador is personally monitoring the situation.
Q. Kindly clarify on the word deportation of Mallya. What does it mean? Is he going to be deported from the other country or is not in the country.
Official Spokesperson:Deportation is generally from another country.
Q. Sir, this is about the Maldives. I wanted to ask you, when the Maldives president had come here he had expressed appreciation for India’s support at CMAG. Now, the latest meeting of the CMAG has come out
with a harsh..basically concerned about the direction of the democratic process in the Maldives. Can you please throw some light on what was India’s position at CMAG proceedings and how does it support this statement?
Official Spokesperson: Well India has always supported stability, development, democracy and pluralism in the Maldives This has been a long standing position and has most recently been
articulated during President Yameen’s official visit to India. India, as you know, is a member of the CMAG and after its deliberations, a concluding statement has been issued. Obviously being a member of CMAG, we are a party to that statement and I think that
statement speaks for itself. I have nothing further to add.
Q. Sir, Colonel Purohit ko clean chit dene par Pakistan ne objection ki…
Official Spokesperson: Kiska clean chit???
Q… Colonel Purohit ke, Samjhauta express mein.
Official Spokesperson: I have not seen this statement. Thank you all. That concludes the press briefing.