Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:We
now begin the regular press briefing, the Thursday 4:00 pm press briefing, so
the floor is now open to questions.
Question:Sir, this is in relation to Congolese National who was
attacked in Delhi. Now a video has emerged from Congo of three Indian
shopkeepers who have been attacked now. Has there been any, has the Indian
Government approached the authorities there and any security warning for the Indian
Nationals?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:Yes,
it has come to the notice of our mission in Kinshasa that some Indian
establishments and shops in the commercial area were attacked on May 23 and May
25 as a reaction perhaps to the killing of a Congolese national in New Delhi
last Friday.
It
has also been reported that there were some gunshots fired, injuring a couple
of Indians living in the area. Our Ambassador took up the matter immediately
with the Congolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A note verbale was issued to
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a copy to the Ministry of Interior and
the Police authorities to ensure safety of life and property of all Indians
residing there.
It
was reported that by the end of yesterday, things had calmed down with no
further untoward incident. There was police presence in the commercial area where
Indians have their shops and establishments.
In
a message to the Indian community our mission, while informing them about the
request to the Congolese authorities for deployment of police to secure the
life and property of all Indians, did advise them to exercise caution and to
remain calm.
I
would also like to add that India’s relationship with the Democratic Republic
of Congo goes back to many years. In the initial years after the formation of the
Congolese Republic, Gurkha soldiers were posted there. Many Indians stay in
Congo and view the country as their second home. They have always had very
friendly and cordial relations with the people of the Democratic Republic of
Congo and we hope that the situation is diffused at the earliest.
Question: Vikas, we saw some of the African ambassadors
yesterday making a statement that they will advise their governments not to
send the students here. How would government react to it?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:I
would say that it would be unfortunate if a few isolated cases are generalized
to portray a climate of insecurity for African students.
It
is also not right to characterize criminal acts as being racially motivated. As
is clear from the CCTV footage of the attack on Mr Oliver by some goons, some
Indian by-standers who were present there at the time, they did try to protect
Mr Oliver and, in turn, they were also thrashed by the same goons.
So
as I mentioned in my remarks yesterday, thousands of African students continue
to benefit from the Indian education system without any issues. We are
committed to work closely with the African diplomatic as well as student
communities to ensure full safety and security of all African students in
India.
External
Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj is personally monitoring this matter. We
are also instituting a practice of regular interactions with the Africans Head
of Missions. Minister of State, Gen V K Singh will also do an outreach with the
African student community.
I
would like to reiterate that India remains open to our brothers and sisters
from Africa and there is no cause for undue concern.
Question: Sir, is there any update on Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi
for their extradition?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:In
so far as Mr Vijay Mallya is concerned we continue to await advice from
Enforcement Directorate, but on Lalit Modi there have been some fresh
developments.
The
Enforcement Directorate has sent us an extradition request. It is currently
being examined by our legal experts. Once we make sure that it is in good shape
we will send it to the UK side for consideration.
Question: Sir, after the Congolese national was killed last
week, did the MEA not anticipate this kind of a strong reaction, I mean the
government waited till the envoys had met and then they came out with such a
strong statement. The government seem to have reacted after that. Did you not
anticipate?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:As I said, the
moment MEA came to know about the attack, we immediately got in touch with
Delhi Police and as I mentioned yesterday, Delhi Police has taken immediate
action. We have identified the three culprits. Two have already been arrested
and one is on the run and as you know, one of the culprits was a known history
sheeter. So it’s not as if, that we did not, I think maybe…
Question: My question is that, was any attempt made to establish
contact with the embassies and to convince the ambassadors that..
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:Well,
this was a case involving a Congolese national and contact was established with
the Congolese embassy. Absolutely. In fact our ambassador in Kinshasa, also
immediately established contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
conveyed our condolences on the unfortunate demise of Mr Oliver and also
conveyed the steps that the Delhi Police were taking to ensure justice for him.
Question: Is there any update on the repayment of all dues to
Iran?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:As
you know, Prime Minister has just returned from a very successful bilateral
trip to Iran. Some part payment of the oil dues has already been made and the remaining
payments are also in the pipeline subject to the establishment of banking
channels in Euro.
Question: Mr Swarup, thank you. Bodies of
two Indian climbers from West Bengal have been found on Everest death zone and
was wondering that Nepalese tourism ministry has been quoted by German News
agency saying that it’s on such a high and very treacherous terrain that it is
difficult to bring the bodies back, so I was wondering if their families will
get the bodies back?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:I
have no information on this. I will try to find out.
Question: Sir, in the Augusta Westland case, the investigating
agencies have sent Letters Rogatory to some of the countries. Now, specifically
to Mauritius, I believe they have come back with some queries. Has CBI or ED
contacted the Ministry of External Affairs to see if this matter can be taken
up diplomatically?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:I am
not aware of this. I will get back to you on this particular point.
Question: Sir, the Taliban has appointed a new chief. I was
wondering if MEA has a reaction on that?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:Well,
we have no views on the internal processes within the Taliban, but we do
support all efforts that contribute to peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan
and help in reducing violence and terrorism inflicted on the people of
Afghanistan.
Question: A related question to Afghanistan sir. Afghanistan
High Peace Council is understood to have entered into an agreement with Hizb-e Islamiof
GulbuddinHekmatyar. Do you have somethingto
offer, comment?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:Well,
we welcome developments that contribute to efforts at peace and reconciliation
in Afghanistan, which are Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and are in accordance
with the aspirations of the people of Afghanistan for peace and stability in
their country. We hope that such developments will encourage others to also
give up violence and join the peace talks with the government of Afghanistan.
Question: Sir, could you tell us why did the MEA or the Government
of India chose to not oppose the Supreme Court decision on Italian marines. Also,
the WTO DG was in Islamabad recently. The Pakistanis raised witrh him the issue
of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and there were references made
by Pakistan of non-tariff barriers being an obstruction for them in the region.
Do you read that as being indicated towards India?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:Well,
in so far as the Italian marine case is concerned, as you are aware, the
Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has today allowed the application of the
Republic of Italy to relax the bail conditions of SgtGirone, who is presently
in India, so as to enable him to remain in Italy during the pendency of
proceedings in the Annexe VII International Arbitration Tribunal regarding the issue
of jurisdiction over the EnricaLexie incident.
It
may be recalled that the Annexe VII Tribunal in its order dated 29April,
2016 had directed both India and Italy to cooperate including in proceedings
before the Supreme Court to achieve such relaxation.
Pursuant
to this order, Italy approached the Supreme Court on the 23rd of May
2016, seeking implementation of the Tribunal’s order. As directed by the
Tribunal, Italy has also indicated the conditions for bail, which may be
imposed by the Supreme Court during SgtGirone’s stay in Italy, duly recognizing
that he will remain under the authority of the Supreme Court of India during
this period.
Given
that the Tribunal’s order is binding on India under international law, India
conveyed its no objection to Italy’s application, subject to certain additional
bail conditions. In addition to supplementary bail conditions, suggested by the
Union of India, the Supreme Court has stipulated that Italy submit an
undertaking assuring that SgtGirone will return to India, not only if required
by the Tribunal, but also if required, in the interim, by the Supreme Court of
India.
I
will reiterate that the Supreme Court has only relaxed the bail conditions of
SgtGirone. He will continue to remain under the authority of the Supreme Court
and will be required to return if and when required by the Supreme Court.
In
so far as your other question was concerned, I think it was pertaining to
Pakistan’s meeting with the DG, WTO in Islamabad and reference to the CPEC.
Well
CPEC, as you know, is a two country initiative, a part of which is proposed on
Indian Territory under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. Our views in this regard
are already well known.
Pakistan
is a member of SAARC and as such is expected to contribute constructively to
regional connectivity initiatives including those which it did not support at
the last SAARC summit.
As
far as we are concerned, there are high non-tariff barriers in the region not
ON Pakistan, but FROM it. Pakistan does not allow movement of all importable
items from India through Wagah.
In
fact it allows only 138 items through Wagah. This is the biggest non-tariff
barrier for thousands of Indian tariff lines which have to be now routed
through Karachi, raising costs including for consumers in Pakistan. Moreover,
the fact that Pakistan has not extended Most Favored Nation treatment to India,
even aftera lapse of close to 20 years since India unilaterally did so, is also
not in keeping with WTO norms.
Question:Returning to the African situation. Given the fact that the VP is visiting
Africa and expecting a series of high level visits to Africa in the coming few
weeks and months, how much has this recent incident and concerns raised by the African
diplomatic community here, I mean what kind of impact do we anticipate that to
have in terms of the discussions that we are expected to meet or face when he
visits there and what are the kinds of assurances that we feel we need to give
in order to emphasize as you did already that they remain open?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:Well,
certainly, I will not deny that this incident has not had any impact. The fact
that the African HoMs were forced to issue a statement shows that there was a depth
of concern on their part, but at the same time we have also shown our
credentials as a country which is welcoming to foreigners, which is specially
welcoming to African students by taking swift action, by having immediate
meetings of Secretary Economic Relations and MoS Shri V K Singh, with the
African HoMs, which has assuaged their concerns and as a result, as you know
very well, they are attending the ICCR Africa Day Annual Event.
So
my sense is that things are back on track. We will, of course, continuously
monitor the situation.A regular interaction mechanism for African HoMs with the
Indian Foreign Ministry leadership has been instituted so that we can nip in
the bud any issues that may crop up in the future and I think there is
understanding on both sides that this is a relationship that needs to be
preserved, that needs to be strengthened and we should not allow us to be deterred
by some unfortunate incidents.
Question: What report was given by the Indian High Commissioner
on Sri Lankan proposing a Church on Katchatheevu Island?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:The
St Antony’s Church in Katchatheevu Island is believed to have been built in
1905 and, being in a dilapidated state, is repaired every year for the annual
Katchatheevu festival in February-March. We understand that a new Church is
planned to be constructed adjoining the existing St Antony’s Church.
The
Sri Lankan Navy is undertaking the construction of the new Church in response
to a request made by the Bishop of Jaffna to the Commander of Sri Lankan Navy
during the Katchatheevu festival on the 22nd of February, 2016.
It
has been reported that the existing Church would be retained unchanged and a
second shrine is proposed to be constructed approximately 100 meters away from
the present shrine.
The
pilgrims from India to the Katchatheevu festival are mostly fishermen from
Tamil Nadu as you are well aware. While last year, 4003 pilgrims participated,
this year 3248 pilgrims, including 26 media persons, participated and paid
homage at the Church.
The
Sri Lankan Navy has dismissed media reports that it was planning to build a
naval facility at Katchatheevu.
Question: Recently a lady paramedic and her infant son was
killed in an attack in Libya. How many Indians are still there in Libya and
what the Government of India is doing in this case?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:As
you know, we have now imposed a ban on Indians travelling to Libya. The ban has
been imposed in view of the fragile security situation prevailing in Libya.
There
have been incidents of deaths, kidnappings and missing Indians. The step has
been taken after much deliberation in the interest of safety and security of
Indian nationals.
The
ban has been imposed after undertaking evacuation of Indian nationals by the
government of India since July 2014 and issue of as many as 18 travel
advisories by our mission in Tripoli and by MEA advising Indian nationals to
return to India.
Some
Indian nationals who were evacuated at government costs, in fact have returned
to Libya, risking their lives.
Presently
we believe, there are close to 1500 Indians in Libya. Libya has political
instability and there is no unified political authority which makes dealing
with State organs difficult in raising issues concerning Indian nationals in
Libya.
It
is the primary duty of the government to ensure safety and security of Indian
nationals abroad, particularly in conflict zones. Libya continues to be a
conflict zone.
In
this context I would also like to point out that some people have raised the
issue of safe and unsafe areas in Libya. We cannot segregate areas into safe
and unsafe. The ban is for the whole of Libya and I would appeal through you
and through all my friends in the media here to persuade Indian nationals in
Libya to return for their own safety. It is no longer an advisory, it is a
complete ban and it will only be reviewed once the situation has normalized.
Question: Sir, which are the new banking channels which have
been established to make crude oil payments to Iran and have all the disputes
and differences been sorted out?
Shri
Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson:No
new banking channels are needed. As I said, the existing banking channels have
to accept payments in Euro. Payments in US dollars continue to remain banned
because you know all the sanctions against Iran have not been lifted. So once
the banks start accepting payments in Euro freely - through Halkbank some
payments have been made, but you know other banks still have not resorted to
opening a banking channel in Euro for Iran - so once that happens, the
remaining balance with us will also be paid. We are committed to that, of
course.
Ok,
that concludes the press briefing. Thank you all.
(Concludes)