Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: A very good evening to all of you. Thank you for joining us for this Weekly Media Briefing. Of course, in last few weeks, we've been more focused on the daily presser that we did on Ukraine but we are back to our regular events. I am happy to see all of you in person here with the restrictions on COVID having been lifted. Before I begin, on the question part, we have a couple of announcements. So let me begin with the announcements. The first announcement relates to the forthcoming India-Japan Summit, which will be held on March 19th, day after tomorrow. At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency Mr. Kishida Fumio will be undertaking an official visit to New Delhi from 19th to 20th March for the 14th India- Japan Annual Summit. This summit will actually be the first meeting of these two leaders. As you would recall, the previous annual summits till then took place in Tokyo in October 2018. India and Japan have multifaceted cooperation within the ambit of their special Strategic and Global Partnership. The summit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review and strengthen the bilateral cooperation in diverse areas, as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, so as to advance partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo Pacific region and beyond. So we look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kishida on Saturday.
My other announcement that we have is on the India-Australia virtual summit that is going to be held on March 21, Monday. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia, His Excellency Mr. Scott Morrison will hold the second India- Australia virtual summit on 21st March. This summit actually follows the historic first virtual summit, which was held on 4th of June 2020 when our bilateral relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During this forthcoming virtual summit, the leaders will take stock of progress made on various initiatives under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The virtual summit will lay the way forward on new initiatives and enhanced cooperation in a diverse range of sectors. The leaders are expected to come into closer cooperation in trade, critical minerals, migration and mobility and education among others. Views on of course, regional international issues will also be discussed. And I think this summit highlights the importance that both countries attach to their bilateral relations as well as their close cooperation on global and regional issues. The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has maintained the momentum of an upward trajectory with both countries continuing to collaborate closely, despite the COVID- 19 pandemic in areas such as science and technology, cyber, defense, critical and strategic minerals, water resources management as well as public administration and governance.
Prime Minister Modi of course met Prime Minister Morrison in Washington for their first in- person meeting after the COVID- 19 pandemic. This meeting was held last September on the margins of the Quad leaders’ summit and they jointly launched the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States in Glasgow subsequently on the margins of the COP 26 in November 2021. So again, we expect this to be a very fruitful and important virtual summit. We will of course, try to brief you on the developments, as well as share with you other details of the events. Okay, having said that, let me open the floor for questions. Let me start off okay, first here, please. I see lots of hands, but let me start with you. Please introduce yourself and organization for the record.
Vineet Dikshit: Vineet Dikshit from NewsGate. There is news in the air that Chinese Foreign Minister is scheduled to visit India. If he's coming what are the dates and what is his agenda? Is the failed talks of the LAC will be figuring in that.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Anybody else on this specific thing on visit?
Sidhant: Sir a lot of Indian students are facing problems when it comes to; they want to go to China, they are not able to go to China, I know that our Embassy in Beijing have been engaging. What's the status? Will China allow Indian students to go to China and complete their studies?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay, anything left on this? Okay, please.
Speaker 1: Sir, cheen ki taraf se kya unke videsh mantri ka bharat daure ka prastav aaya hai kya? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir, have we received proposal from China regarding visit of Chinese Foreign Minister's to India?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay, so let me just answer this set of things. I have a very short answer on this. I don't have any information to share on this at this moment. Let me repeat that I don't have any information to share on this at this moment. But Sidhant you asked additional element, on that I would like to emphasize. Look our Embassy in Beijing, our consulates, our Ministry has been taking up this matter with the relevant authorities in China on numerous occasions since the restrictions were first imposed, as you yourself alluded to. We have highlighted the plight of the students and how the continuation of these stringent restrictions, putting their academic careers, their education careers of thousands of students in jeopardy. In fact, the External Affairs Minister personally raised this issue with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, when he met him in Dushanbe in September last year. We have noted the statement made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, I think it was on 8th of February, when in response to a query from the Indian media, he said that China is considering in a coordinated manner, arrangement for allowing foreign students to return to China for their studies. You of course, would have also seen the more recent statement of the Chinese Spokesperson, I think that was on 14th of March, where in response to another query from the Indian media it was said that they take into consideration the developments in the pandemic situation and the features of the different majors of international students and they were coordinating for the return of a few international students who do have such needs. But let me clarify that till date, the Chinese side has not given any categorical response about the return of Indian students. We will continue to urge the Chinese side to adopt a congenial stance in the interests of our students and that they facilitate an early return to China so that our students can pursue the studies. So I think that issue will be on our agenda on all occasions.
Neeraj aapka sawal tha ki kya prastav aaya hai, i think mere pahle statement mein hi clarity ho gai hai ki mere pass abhi kuchh nahi hai jo main aapko share kar sakunga (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Neeraj, your question was that has the proposal come, I think from my first statement itself it is clear that I have nothing to share with you.
Okay, please let’s moving on, other topics please.
Masood: My name is Masood. My question is regarding that there are reports in Western media that China is helping Russia with arms. How do you view this development?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: I apologize but I don't think it's related, but since you asked that question I don't know how we would be in a position to comment. It's a media report about some things being done by two other countries. I certainly don't think I have an immediate comment on that.
Yashi: This is Yashi from the New Indian Express. From March 27 we are opening all international airlines, every schedule carrier can come into India. But there is a little concern, you know, with the surge of COVID in Hong Kong, South Korea and 16 districts of China, are you looking at restricting passengers because we are just about getting into the endemic stage. I just like your views on that.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Restricting passengers?
Yashi: No. Would you try and restrict passengers from these three countries in particular, because there's a surge in Covid, if one guy comes, it can lead to the same situation that we had last.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Anything related to this, so I'll take it in one go? No. Okay. Look, first of all, I don't think the Ministry of External Affairs is perhaps the best place to answer all the nuance of this question. Let me just try to answer it in two different elements. As you know, we've been trying because of the restrictions since almost two years plus now, of having air bubbles and Vande Bharat flights etc., to ensure that the restrictions due to COVID can be overcome. I think taking into consideration the declining status of cases, I think the Minister of Civil Aviation has announced that from 27th of March we will resume regular commercial international operations. Separate issue is about restrictions or what are the restrictions of people from abroad when they come? There are certain procedures in place. Again, I think the Health Ministry and the Civil Aviation Ministry would be better placed. We cannot foresee or speculate on what might happen, I think decisions will be taken based on circumstances at that point when it happens. So I think we've always been based on fact and what's happening and developments; and these decisions have been taken.
Yashi: (.......inaudible)
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Possible. It could happen in other countries and we have had to change our guidance and instructions on foreign travel depending on what the reality is. Of course, our interest is to be able to get back to normalcy as soon as possible, subject to this health and COVID and other restrictions on that. So we will keep you updated if we hear of anything but the nodal ministries in this would be Civil Aviation and Health of course.
Rajini: Hi, Rajini from BBC News. I've tried to get a comment from the petroleum ministry to no avail. I just wanted to get something from you on the multiple reports that India is buying crude oil from Russia at a discounted rate. There are reports that the deal would be done with Indian oil and Hindustan Petrol Corporation and that India is going to do a deal with some 15 million barrels. So what do you have on the latest around these reports?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Anybody else on that? Okay, please.
Shalinder Wangu: Sir, Shalinder Wangu News 18 se, issko lekar ke statement America ki taraf se bhi aaya tha ki ye dekhna hoga bharat ko ki woh history jab likhi jaegi woh kis taraf hoga? iss Statement ko aap kaise dekhte hai? ispe kya reaction hai? (Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir, Shalinder from News 18, a statement in this regard also came from the US side that India will have to see that when history is written, on which side will it find itself? How do you see this statement? What is the reaction?
Tawqeer Hussain: Tawqeer Hussian from Yomiuri. Has India actually received any offer from Russia in this regard?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay, you have a question on this. Please go ahead.
Vedika: Hi, I’m Vedika from CNN. My question is - is India considering Rupee payments for trade with Russia? Thank you.
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Let me try to answer. I think these are slightly different issues. Look, as you're all aware, India does import most of its oil requirements. So it's met by imports. So, we are always exploring all possibilities in global energy markets, because of this situation that we face of importing our oil requirement. I don't think Russia has been a major supplier. But as regards the specific query, I think it was implicit in both of them of imports of energy from Russia. Let me just highlight that a number of countries are doing so, especially in Europe, and for the moment I'll leave it at that.
Rajini: And what about India?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: As I said, a number of countries in the world are doing so especially in Europe. As I said, we are always exploring possibilities in global energy markets.
Rajini: (.......inaudible)
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: As I said we are a major oil importer and we are looking at all options at all points as we need the energy, but specifically I think one of the queries was - Shalinder aapne puchha tha aur woh US ke baaren mein tha. Abhi maine jaise kaha ki hamari jarurate rehti hai, hum importing country hai, aur Russia se tel ya gas vagerah k imports ke baaren mein jaisa maine kaha ki hum jaante hai ki kafi desh unse le rahe hai, aayat ho rahi hai vahan se, europe ki kantriyaan, main sirf itna hi kehna chahunga. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Shalinder, you asked about the US. As I said that we have needs, we are an importing country. About the imports of oil or gas from Russia, as I said, we know that a lot of countries are buying from Russia; imports by the countries of Europe, that's all I would like to say.
As regards, I think Tawqeer - your question on the offer from Russia, was the same thing. I don't have exact details. To be honest, this is an area where I would ideally refer you to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for any details that you are asking - about exactly whether it's an offer, or what we are doing, or how much.
Rajini: (.......inaudible)
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sorry, I have no idea. As I said, details of that would probably be available with that ministry. From our perspective, I highlighted our position. Regarding the Rupee mechanism, look, as you're aware, in the past we've had that with Soviet Union certainly, perhaps it relates even with Russia, that system of mechanism of Rupee- Rouble. I'm not aware of the current status of it. It will probably be with the Ministry of Finance, or RBI - that would be leading that. But let me make a larger point that we will await details of any unilateral sanctions and the exact details to examine their impact on our economic exchanges with Russia. So let's see exactly what are the sanctions, how they impact before we look at what are the options. Yes, I've seen a lot of people mentioning the Rupee- Rouble option again or reviving it. That mechanism exists, but I don't know to what extent it will be used now or whether it's even feasible. So I don’t have an immediate response on it. Okay, moving ahead. Srinjoy go ahead.
Srinjoy: Sir, Srinjoy from Times Now. Sir there has been a lot of criticism of India also, in Pakistan on this Kashmir files issue, you would have seen volumes of material criticizing India, per se. How do you react to it?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: I don't react to it and it's a movie. People are free to comment on it I guess. I think it shows developments in our country that happened over a certain point of time. I'm not even sure it's a foreign policy issue on which I need to really comment on. Pakistan has made various allegations which have almost all occasions you know, are either not correct or completely unfounded, or is the interference in our internal affairs. I haven't seen this specific comment that you made. So I'm not going to comment on that. Related question?
Shalinder Wangu: Sir, abhi jo Islamabad mein OIC ki meeting hone wali hai, Foreign Ministers ki uske liye phir se ek baar hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq ko invite kiya gaya hai halanki vah abhi house arrest mein hain. Innke is invitation ko aap kaise dekhte hain, Pakistan ki taraf se ek baar phir se Hurriyat ke Leaders ko invite kiya ja raha hai.(Questioned in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Sir, the OIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to take place in Islamabad. Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has once again been invited. However, he is still in house arrest. How do you see this invitation of theirs? Once again the leaders of the Hurriyat are being invited by Pakistan?
Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Ye 22-23 march vaale meeting ki baat kar rahe hai aap? dekhiye ismen hamane dekha hai ki isake baare mein hame pata chala hai ki videsh mantriyon ke parishad ki jo baithak hai usme all party hurriyat conference ke adhyaksh ke diye gaye nimantran ke baaren mein media reports jo hamne dekhi hai aap usi ke baaren mein shayad jikr kar rahe hai. Bharat sarkar aise karvai ko bahut gambhirta se leti hai jinaka uddeshy sidhe taur par bharat ki ekta ko nasht karana aur hamari samprabhuta aur kshetriya akhandata ka ulanghan karna hai. Hum ummid nahi karte ki OIC aatankwad aur bharat virodhi gatividhiyon mein lage deshon aur sangathano ko protsahan karega. Hame ummid yahi rehti hai ki woh nahi karega is tarah se protsahan. Ye bahut durbhagya purn hai ki OIC anya mahatvapoorn vikas aur gatividhiyon par dhyan kendrit karane ke vajah ek hi sadasya k rajnaitik agenda dwara nirdeshit kiya ja raha hai. Hum pehle bhi keh chuke hai hamne baar baar OIC se bharat ke aatanrik mamlo par tippani ke liye vested interest ko apne manch se fayda uthane ki anumati dene se bachne ka avvahan bhi kiya hai. Main fir se isi ko dohara sakta hoon. (Answered in Hindi; Approximate Translation) Are you talking about this 22nd- 23rd March meeting? We have seen that, we have learnt that in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers invitation has been given to the President of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, you are probably referring to the media reports in this regard. The Government of India takes such actions very seriously, which are directly aimed at subverting the unity of India and violating our sovereignty and territorial integrity. We do not expect the OIC to encourage countries and organisations engaged in terrorism and anti-India activities. We hope that it won't do this kind of encouragement. It is very unfortunate that the OIC is being guided by a political agenda of a single member rather than focusing on development activities. We have said earlier also that we have repeatedly urged the OIC to refrain from allowing vested interest to exploit its platform for comments on India's internal affairs. I can repeat it again.
We have seen in India media reports regarding invitation extended by the OIC Secretary General to I think the Chairman, All party Hurriyat conference, to attend the forthcoming I think the 48 session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad on 22nd 23rd of March. The government of India takes very serious view of such actions, which are aimed directly at subverting India's unity, and violating our sovereignty and territorial integrity. We do not expect the OIC to encourage actors and organization engaged in terrorism and anti-India activities. It’s highly unfortunate that OIC continues to be guided by a single member's political agenda rather than focusing on other important development activities. We have repeatedly called upon the OIC to refrain from allowing vested interests to exploit this platform for comments on India's internal affairs. Okay, next. Yeah, please. Let me start here, please.
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