Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Very good afternoon to all of you. Thank you for joining us for this week's media briefing. I have an announcement to begin with. So, let me just make that. We are happy to announce the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India. Her Excellency, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh will pay a State visit to India from September 05 to September 08 this year. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last visited New Delhi in October 2019. During this visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will call on Honourable President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu and Honourable Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar. She will also hold bilateral consultations with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar will call on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit. Prime Minister Hasina is also likely to visit Ajmer.
In recent years, both sides have sustained high level of engagements, including at the highest level between our two countries. The forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between our two countries based on strong historical and cultural ties and mutual trust and understanding. That was the announcement I had to make and we look forward to the visit of Her Excellency Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Floor is open for questions.
Yeshi: This is Yeshi Seli from The New Indian Express. I would like to know whether India has any plans of extending any humanitarian aid to Pakistan.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Anybody has anything else on this?
Sidhant: There have been comments coming from Pakistan, even though they have (inaudible) saying that they would like to have trade with India. What's India's view? If there is an offer from Islamabad of opening trade, what will be India’s response?
Kadambini Sharma: Kadambini Sharma from NDTV India. Wahan per jo mantri hain Pakistan mein, unhonne kaha hai ki International Aid agencies Bharat mein jameen ke raaste Pakistan ko aid pahunchaana chahti hain, to kya bharat se is par koi baat hui hai, koi engagement hua hai is par? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Kadambini Sharma from NDTV India. A Pakistani Minister has said that many International Aid Agencies want to dispatch aid to Pakistan through land route via India, so have there been any talks on this, has there been any engagement on this?
Umashankar: Umashankar from NDTV India, yahan kya ucch star pe kisi tarah vichar hua hai ki Pakistan ko aid diya jaye kyokin pichhe ek khabar dekhne ko aai lekin adhikarik taur par uski pushti nahi hui hai. (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Umashankar from NDTV India, is there some kind of consideration here at the highest level that aid should be given to Pakistan because a few days back some news was there but it has not been officially confirmed.
Ayushi Aggarwal: Sir, Ayushi Aggarwal from ANI. Sir, there are some reports of China pushing some road and developing infrastructure in the Karakoram region.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Maybe we should just take this round of questions specific to this and then I'll come back to you.
Ayushi Aggarwal: Sure sir.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay. Anybody, specific to this issue? Yeah, please.
Akhilesh Suman: Sir Akhilesh Suman from Sansad TV. Has there been any hint from Pakistan that they seek India’s support in this time?
Rezaul: Rezaul from Hindustan Times. My question is given that bilateral trade was suspended by Pakistan in 2019. I mean, are we looking at Pakistan to restore trade or, I mean, where is the ball in which court?
Santosh Thakur: I’m Santosh Thakur from Navbharat Times. Last time Sir kab tha jab Bharat ne Pakistan ko iss tarah se koi madad upalabdh karaai thi? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir, when was the last time India had provided any such aid to Pakistan?
Speaker 1: Arindam, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman has said that India’s flood assistance will not improve relations apparently. My question looking forward is this, that with a little bit of bonhomie generated during the course of flood assistance, is there a likelihood of meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister in Tashkent?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: I think there were broadly two sets of questions. I am not going to get into what the factual positions are, you can all find out. One was about aid and the other one is about trade. So let me address both of them. Look regarding the floods that have hit Pakistan, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has shared his sadness at the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan. You've seen his comments. He has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the injured and all those affected by the natural calamity. So you've seen that. To be honest, if there's anything further on this, I would be happy to share at that time. For the moment that's all I have to say on the issue of the assistance. As regards something on the trade element, look, we've seen various statements on this topic, on this matter. At this point I have nothing further to add to those statements. I mean, statements we have seen from Pakistan. I don't have anything further on it. I was asked about bilateral trade, last time aid. Look, the last time I can guess it was, I think one of the natural disasters many years ago. Tab hua tha par aapko exact details aapko mil jaega (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) It happened many years ago, but you will get exact details.
Rezaul, you asked about bilateral trade. That's a separate issue. I mean, the question basically was in response I think the queries mostly were about the comments that have come out in Pakistani media reports, I think mostly about trade or crossing using the land border. As I said, we've seen various statements, not particularly anything that requires a comment from us.
There was also something I think, Kadambini you asked about ki wahan se land route ke jariye agar agency; par again as i said bahut tarah ke comments aaye hain aur ispar hamari aisi koi pratikriya ki jarurat nahi hai, hamein lag nahi raha hai ki is samay hamare pass isake saath kehne ke liye kuchh hai. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Kadambini you asked about agencies sending aid through land route - many comments have been made on this and i would not like to react on them. At this moment, I don’t have anything to say on this.
Similarly, both Yeshi and Sidhant, I think you asked the basic question. I think that's all I have to say on that. I think Akhilesh you asked something about support, but I think I've covered it. I don't have a specific response. As of now, that's all I have on it. I'm not aware of at least any specific such requests unless you have some information, I have not seen anything particular. The last question I think was from you regarding flood assistance, leading to bonhomie, I think is very speculative I don't know which part I can answer. As I told you, we have shared Prime Minister’s response on this issue and I don't know how that links to meetings and visits that we have not yet announced.
Speaker 2: (Inaudible)
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Kaun-sa wala? Pradhanmantri ki? Woh toh unhone kah diya hai, aap dekh hi chuke hain, Pradhanmantri ne Pakistan mein jo baadh hui hai ya ho rahi hai usaki tabahi par duhkh vyakt kiya hai aur iss prakritik apada ke peedit parivaaron ko, unake ghayal logo ko aur jo prabhavit huye hai kisi tarah se bhi, un sabhi logon ke prati hardik samvedanaen vyakt ki hain par iske aage jab hoga mere pass kuchh kahane ke liye hum jarur kahenge, abhi mere pass aur kuchh nahin hai is samay sajha karne ke liye. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) The Prime Minister has shared his sadness at the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan, and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the injured and all those affected by this natural calamity. If there is anything further on this, I would be happy to share at that time.
Shalinder: Sir Shalinder News 18 se, Sidhu Moosewala murder case mein do accused ko trace kiya gaya hai, ek ko Azerbaijan mein Sachin Thapan Vishnoi, unako vahan pe bataya ja raha hai detain kiya hai aur Anmol Vishnoi jinko Kenya trace kiya gaya hai to kya unke repatriation ke liye you are in touch with those countries? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Shalinder from News 18, two accused have been traced in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, one Sachin Thapan Vishnoi has been traced in Azerbaijan and it is being told that he has been detained there and Anmol Vishnoi has been traced to Kenya. Are you in touch with those countries for their repatriation?
Rishikesh: Sir, Rishikesh from Sputnik News. Last week US Deputy Secretary Treasury who was in Delhi for official meetings, he said that India has shown a great interest with respect to proposal of capping Russian oil prices. So could you please confirm that India wants to join West in capping Russian oil?
Shrinjoy: Sir on the 7th and 8th of this month, there is a 2+2 in Japan at the same time in India, there is a mini 2+2 with America. Could you just tell us a little about both meetings, please?
Sudhi Ranjan: Sir Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. Recently we have seen a statement out of White House expressing concern over India's participation in Vostok 2022, which is happening in Russia and we are exercising with Chinese and the Russian troops. Any reaction that we can get for that?
Yeshi: I just like to know whether there are actually 50,000 soldiers as is being reported in the Vostok 2022 operations, military drill that is happening.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: 50,000 from where?
Yeshi: From everywhere. I mean, these are what reports say. I'm not sure. I just want clarification on that.
Speaker 3: (Inaudible) from CNN. Sir, will India also participate in the Naval war games on the Vostok, when the Navy segment of this whole exercise starts?
Suhasini: Since you're taking the question on the US reaction to India, participating in Vostok. I wonder if you had any comments on the German Ambassador’s comments in Delhi today.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Why don't we take this as a separate question. I will come back to it.
Shalinder aapne puchha tha Moosewala murder case ke baare mein. Haan Azerbaijan aur Kenya main ek-ek suspect hain aur Azerbaijan ke sthaniye adhikariyon ne suspect ko detain kiya hai. Hum Dono deshon ke sambandhit adhikariyon ke sampark main hain. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Shalinder, you had asked about the Moosewala murder case. Yes, one suspect each in Azerbaijan and Kenya are there and has been detained by local authorities in Azerbaijan. We are in contact with the concerned authorities in both countries.
I know there might be some interest on this issue in English. So yes, one suspect each in Azerbaijan and Kenya are there and has been detained by local authorities in Azerbaijan. We are in contact with the concerned authorities in both countries.
Rishikesh, you had asked about this topic of visit last week. In fact, if you remember last, I don’t know if you were here, we discussed a bit about the ongoing visit, at that point of time he was in Mumbai and I think he was moving to Delhi. US Deputy Secretary of Treasury, Wally Adeyemo was in India last week for discussions with senior officials of the Government of India on wide ranging subjects. I had mentioned some of them, let me reiterate, including our G20 priorities, climate finance, terror financing, energy security, energy trade, and issues related to the IMF. These discussions are part of our ongoing engagement with the US, which is a strategic partner on bilateral, regional, global issues and on issues of mutual concern. We will continue to be engaged with the US on these issues. So that's how I would like to respond to your query.
Shrinjoy you took up the issue of 2+2. Again, we discussed last week, I'm not in a position yet to confirm the dates of that, which you have said, but yes, the 2+2 with Japan is something that we're looking at an early date. And we are also expecting, I don't know, you called it a mini 2+2 I don't know if I'll characterize it as that, but yes, there could be senior official level meetings here. I think this is a reflection of the close coordination and collaboration that we have with our partners, you know, the Quad partners, but also bilateral partners. And I think it's an important meeting. Japan is one of those few countries with whom we do a 2+2. And the US is obviously the other one, which is the first one we started and I think we would look forward to 2+2 intersessional with the US here. We will share with you more details about the participation and who all will be representing from various countries little later perhaps. And we will also probably have a Quad level intersession or a SOM, but I'm yet to have full details so please bear with me, later in the week or early next week, we'll share with you more details.
I think Sudhi you raised the issue of Vostok and White House reaction, and then I had a series of other questions. So look on the Vostok, I don't know if that issue came up last time, but I remember we had a brief discussion on it. Let me just emphasize that India has been regularly participating in multilateral exercises in Russia, along with a number of other countries. I understand there will be only army participation in the Vostok exercises this year. So that should answer the question Rishabh you asked.
Yeshi your question about 50,000, sorry that's beyond the remit of my knowledge on that. We certainly haven't sent 50,000 troops, but I wouldn't be able to comment on the full range of the exercises. I just saw in fact, a press release from the Ministry of Defence, literally I think a couple of hours ago or less where it talks about our participation in that exercise. I think that would be a better guide to go with that. But specifically in response to comments, I would like to say this. I think that's what I had in my list. There are a few more hands left. You had asked in the first round question I had missed you. Please go ahead.
Ayushi Aggarwal: Sir, Ayushi Aggarwal from ANI. My question is related to China. There are reports of China pushing some heavy road and development infrastructure in the border areas and in the Karakoram region. So, could you please tell us more on that?
Ileana: Good afternoon. Ileana, TASS News Agency. Russian Foreign Minister, to meet Indian counterpart during UN General Assembly in September. Do you have any details on this meeting? Will it be bilateral one? It'll be negotiations and if it's so, what is the agenda?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: You said New York, right?
Ileana: Right. And does it mean also that Minister Jaishankar is not going to SCO Summit and if we speak about Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, will Prime Minister Modi have a bilateral meeting with the Russian President. Do you have any information on this? Thank you.
Manash: Sir, this is Manash from Press Trust of India, PTI. The Portuguese Health Minister actually quit after an Indian lady died I mean on her way to hospital. So do you have any details and are you in touch with the Portuguese authorities?
Suhasini: So my question was about the German Ambassador’s comments this week, where they said they had hoped India would actually criticize Russia much more, made a comparison between Russia’s actions in Ukraine and China's actions at the LAC, he went on to say that China’s actions in the LAC are not as serious as what Russia has done in the Ukraine. We've also seen a Chinese Embassy response to what the German Ambassador has said. Does the MEA have any view on these comments being made?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Which part? You said very contradictory four things.
Suhasini: Yeah, that was the, I'm just quoting over here. But the point being, does the MEA have any views about these comments being made about India's relations with third parties. And my second question is on Sri Lanka, the IMF bailout package has been released today. It includes some details about the need for debt restructuring from Sri Lanka's biggest creditors, which includes India and of course, China, Japan. Does the Indian government have anything to say about this? Are you in debt restructuring talks already?
Gautam: My question relates to the Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India. So actually in the last official visit or whenever the PM visits Bangladesh, we saw that many of the Chief Ministers of the states bordering Bangladesh, accompanies either in the delegation level talks or in the banquet or during the time of visit. So whether this time in the delegation level talks, the Chief Ministers are invited?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Ayushi, your question, I actually don't have any information to specifically share about, you know, you mentioned about Karakoram, some work. I'm not sure of what exactly you had in mind. I don't want to comment on it without knowing the details. Let me just say what we have been saying quite regularly that government keeps watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and takes all necessary steps to ensure that our security interests are fully protected. I'm happy to say that to you on this, but I don't know if you have any specific, which area, Karakoram is very large and I don't want to comment without knowing the details of that.
Ileana your questions actually, I wasn't particularly sure what you mentioned, you mentioned two or three different things. Look, about the delegation to the UN General Assembly, we will announce it at the right time. And certainly I'm not in a position so early to comment to what bilateral engagements that the External Affairs Minister or anybody else who's be leading our delegation at that time will have. But I assure you closer to the date we will share with you more information, but I certainly don't have any confirmation about bilaterals during the UNGA at this point. I didn't understand why that meant that External Affairs Minister will not be going to SCO, that's your presumption, I would not like to get into it, and I am not yet in a position to confirm….
Ileana: In Media there was an information that this meeting between Jaishankar and Lavrov will take place on the 13th of September.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: You are clearly better informed than I am.
Ileana: Summit in Samarkand is on the 15th of September.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: No, let me clarify again. Look, when we have the UN General Assembly, our delegation does have, whoever is leading the delegation, does have a number of bilateral meetings, but to prejudge them at this point is probably not correct. On the meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Summit, we will let you know that the delegation is coming up soon, but not today. I don't have a confirmation that I can share with you exactly for the same reason I can't comment yet or confirm whether Prime Minister would be going or not. But as you know as I just announced PM Sheikh Hasina’s visit, we do announce high level visit at the right time.
Manash on the issue of this unfortunate incident that you mentioned in Portugal, look, yes, we are aware of it, of this very unfortunate incident. We are in touch with the family. I presume our Embassy there would be engaged with the local authorities to the extent required to provide consular assistance, but beyond that, I don't have anything further to share. We have seen some media reports, which say that the Health Minister has resigned and there's some link, but look, I'm not aware of the full details. Those are media reports. All I would like to reiterate is this is a very unfortunate incident involving an Indian citizen, and we are in touch with the family to provide all necessary assistance.
Suhasini, your comments were again on a couple of specific issues. Let me see if I can share with you something on that. Let me start with the German Ambassadors comment, but look, he made a lot of comments. So, I don't know what part, I'm not going to comment on his general statements. Let me just focus on the issue of the Arunachal Pradesh, the boundary issue. Our position on the boundary issue is clear and consistent, and we believe that there is a proper appreciation of this in the international community. So let me limit myself to that.
As regards the Sri Lanka, and the IMF yes. I think that's still an evolving or unfolding story really speaking, I think, today we had a chance to see some of that. It's called a staff level agreement. I just saw today, in fact, a report. We've seen the press release by the IMF regarding their staff level agreement. It's called I think an extended fund facility for about $2.9 billion over the next four years. And I think as far as the IMF press release said that the objectives include restoration of macroeconomic stability, debt sustainability, protecting the vulnerable, stepping up structural reforms. And we also understand that this process will need to be taken forward for subsequent approvals within the IMF itself. So I think this is still something that's an evolving situation. As you know, India has been advocating for assistance to Sri Lanka, but let's see how it progresses. The issues of creditor equitability and transparency are important, but we will come back to you later, as this goes forward.
On the issue of, I think you raised about visit. Look at this point I don't have the details of the composition of delegation from our side. If we have anything particular to share, happy to share that. I have not heard anything specific about whether Chief Ministers will be part of that delegation. I have not also heard whether she's going to any of the other state capitals. So the Delhi composition, bear with us. Today is Thursday still a few days away, we'll let you know. But you mentioned past practice, I'm not going to get into commenting on that.
Altaf: Hi, I’m Altaf. I work for (inaudible). It's been one year since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. So how does the relationship between India and Taliban look like after one year? Has there been any improvement or whatever, and India has sent its diplomats to Kabul to handle the humanitarian aid. What does actually that mean? Does it mean that India is giving de facto recognition in Taliban, not full recognition. And my second question, have you heard about Afghanistan flooding. It has impacted more than 20 provinces in the country. So what is India's response? Is India planning to send any aid or India is offering any condolence to the Taliban government or to the people impacted?
Abhishek: Sir, I am Abhishek from CNN News 18. My question is regarding this latest United Nation Human Rights Commission report on China and the violation in Xinjiang province. So will you have any comment on that? And also China has said that this is an interference in China's internal matter, so your comment on that also.
Speaker 4: Sir quick question around Rishi Sunak touted to become the next Prime Minister. What's New Delhi’s is thinking on that?
Kavita Joshi: Sir main Kavita Joshi hoon, Hari Bhoomi Newspaper se, Sir mera sawal yeh hai ki ye jo SCO ka exercise Manesar mein hone ja raha hai, usamen kya Pakistan bhi participate karega, usko lekar kuchh update MEA ke taraf se? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir I am Kavita Joshi, from Hari Bhoomi Newspaper, Sir my question is that will Pakistan also participate in this SCO exercise that is going to be held in Manesar, any update from MEA?
Akhilesh Suman: This is regarding Sri Lanka sir. When Sri Lanka came into crisis, India was I think the first country and helped Sri Lanka with all India could help. We also organized all party meeting and there was consensus in all party meeting to help Sri Lanka in this point of time. But later on when Sri Lanka’s response that Sri Lanka invited Pakistani ship there and then Chinese spy ship there, don't you think that it was a provocative act at the time when India was extending helping hand.
Speaker 5: Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok - Indian delegation will take part in this?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Let me start with the UNHRC, I think there was a report or something that has just come out yesterday. Look, my understanding is as follows. I think the report came out yesterday. Our understanding is that the report is about the serious maltreatment of minorities in Xinjiang, but this is a UNHRC report so for the moment let the UN comment on it. So I have nothing further to say for the moment, except that to note that this is about the, as I said, serious maltreatment of minorities in Xinjiang.
On the Rishi Sunak question, it's a clearly internal issue for them. They will choose who their Prime Minister and I think our relations with the people to people with the UK, as well as India – UK, are in a different category. I hope that should not get affected by whoever they choose. So I have certainly no comment on that.
Kavita aapne SCO exercises ke baare mein pucha, maine pichle hafte iska jawab diya tha ki jahan tak hamen gyat hai usake 13 tarikh ka final jo date tha usmein jo closing ceremony mein observer ke roop mein Pakistan ka ek delegation aayega, bas itana hee hamen gyat hai, ye Manesar ki exercise ki baat kar rahe hai na? Usmen sirf utani tarikh ko Pakistan ka observer delegation closing ceremony mein aayega itana hi unaka participation hai par jitna door hamen gyat hai (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Kavita, you asked about SCO exercises, I replied to it last week that as far as we know, on the final day, the 13th, the delegation of Pakistan will come as an observer in the closing ceremony, that is all. That much is their participation as far as we know.
Altaf coming back to your couple of questions, they are actually related. I'm not sure, last week also I’ve said, this is a very large question, how do you assess any relationship? I think a media briefing like this is probably not the opportune place, but let me clarify a couple of the issues. You are right that we have a technical team there in Kabul now and the technical team does include some diplomats but I wouldn't like to get into your characterization of whether de facto or not. As you are aware and let me reiterate that our focus has been on the humanitarian assistance that we provide to Afghanistan, the technical team's primary focus is on that. Let me also emphasize the people to people ties that bind this, that drive this and the humanitarian assistance that goes with that, in that context of course, the natural disaster in Afghanistan, particularly floods here, are a part of our continuing assistance and our technical team would be working there to the extent possible to assist the people of Afghanistan, which is our focus area. This is about a year, as you said, the anniversary since the change of the Taliban coming there. But since then, I think we have already made enough statements regarding how we approach our relationship with the people of Afghanistan. I don't think I have anything particular to add at this point.
Akhilesh I think your last query was on. Is it a provocation? I'm not sure we look at situations that way. Sri Lanka, we have extended assistance 3.8 billion, I think it's nearly now 4 billion in assistance in various forms. We have been talking about it for quite some time. We have also made our comments on the other issues that you mentioned. On the Pakistani ship, I don't think we've made a comment, I'm not even aware of the full details, but as I said, let me reiterate what I told Ayushi, if there are developments that affect our security, we keep a close watch on that and take necessary measures to safeguard that. But I think that is a separate element from what our relationship with Sri Lanka is and what all we have done and what we can do, including the conversation we just had, how the IMF staff level talks as well as the debt restructuring that can happen ahead so that Sri Lankans can improve, you know, get away from this economic difficulties and turmoil that they're facing right now.
Yeshi: (Inaudible)
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: No, I said they would be part of the humanitarian assistance they provide would include this. I don't have exact details of what kind of specific assistance is going for the floods or not. I'm happy to share that or try to get that information.
He asked the question on the Eastern Economic Forum. As I had mentioned, we had discussed this, I think last time I think Ileana had asked. We’ll be at the official level, we'll be participating in that and our ambassador will be leading the delegation to the Eastern Economic Forum.
Smita Sharma: Beyond these statements that we have seen from the Indian High Commission in Canada, what is really happening? Thousands of students have been badly impacted because of the visa delays, the price tickets are exorbitant. Is there any assurance or students are going to miss their semesters? And just a quick question, where does India really stand on SAARC? Should we consider it a dead mechanism? Because when you look at the flooding in Pakistan, this may look like a moment when South Asia should come together to try and talk about climate action, mitigation. I mean, if Indian troops can exercise with Chinese troops in Vostok despite the mutual tensions, what is actually stopping from a South Asian sort of a coming together on climate issues?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: I think your question seems to be everywhere, let me be very honest. Before that, the specific thing on the Canada part. Look, first of all, visa is, at end of the day, is a sovereign decision of the foreign government. I think we should be clear on that. We exercise judgment on our visas that we issue and foreign countries will do that. Having said that, I think it's a very important issue, facing Indian students. From this very platform in the past, we have clarified that we have taken up the matter, not just with Canada, but with some other countries and we have requested for transparency, predictability, and making sure that the students are not affected because this is also something that benefits both countries. We have been taking this up with other countries, including the Canadians. And I think our High Commission’s Press release speaks about the kind of situation that the students are facing and what they could do. But I would have to ask you to ask the Canadian authorities frankly, at the end of the day about specific issues with the visa. We will continue to try to take measures to assist Indian students who would like to go abroad so that they do not face difficulties.
Insofar as SAARC, I think, look this is beyond the remit of a Media Briefing in a week - where does SAARC stand. I think climate change is an important issue and we have seen lots of initiatives at the regional, sub regional levels and beyond where we have tried to work together. I think India has been at the forefront of taking measures towards climate action including recently the NDCs that we have submitted or be it our efforts to bring together through initiatives like the ISA or the CDRI. I think, we have been at the forefront also of being one of the few countries that have actually met our commitments, including in the G20,we are the only country I think that has met the commitments that we said. So I think, mixing up issues vis-a-vis exercising in Vostok, I'm not sure I I'm the right person to comment on that in this kind of a forum. As regards SAARC, our position is quite well known. I'm not sure I need to reiterate it today. Thank you. Good evening.