The Ministry of External Affairs today informed that it has helped bring 2,361 Indian citizens safely from Iran to India since the outbreak of the West Asia conflict. Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said of these, 2,060 came through Armenia and 301 via Azerbaijan.

 

On the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the spokesperson said India welcomes the ceasefire. He said New Delhi welcomes every step that leads towards peace.

 

Replying to another query, Mr Jaiswal said India has provided Bangladesh with 22 thousand metric tons of high-speed diesel in March and 38 thousand metric tons of petroleum products to Sri Lanka last month. He informed that during External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s recent visit to Mauritius, discussions took place and both countries are currently in the process of finalising a government-to-government agreement between the two countries to improve Mauritius’ energy situation.

 

He said there are existing agreements between Nepal and India, one between the Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal, under which India provides petroleum products to them. He said neighbouring countries have expressed appreciation for the uninterrupted fuel supply to them during the West Asia conflict. 

 

On former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the spokesperson said there is a request being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. He said India will continue to engage constructively on the issue with all the stakeholders. He emphasised that the External Affairs Minister has reiterated India’s desire to engage constructively with the new government. 

 

On Nirav Modi, Mr Jaiswal said New Delhi has been in touch with the UK side on the extradition request. He said legal proceedings in this matter are currently underway. He said the government remains fully committed to ensuring that fugitives are brought back to India to face the law of the land.

 

The spokesperson confirmed that India has withdrawn from the 33rd UN Climate Change Conference. He added that there are several issues that were taken into account, but India remains fully committed to meeting its climate change commitments.