Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam BagchI Archives - Lokmarg

Modi Meets COP28 Prez-Designate Sultan Al Jaber In UAE

By LokMarg 15th July 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), met the President-designate of COP28, Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, on Saturday assuring India’s full support for COP-28 presidency to the Gulf nation.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier on Saturday, also highlighted India’s efforts and initiatives to address climate change during talks with Sultan Al Jaber.
Taking to Twitter, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, informed of the meeting between the two leaders.

“PM @narendramodi held a productive meeting with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of @COP28_UAE and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Dr. Jaber briefed PM on the forthcoming COP-28,” Bagchi tweeted.

“PM assured ‘s full support for ’s COP-28 presidency. PM also highlighted ’s efforts and initiatives to address climate change,” he added.

Earlier, on Saturday, PM Modi also met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

PM Modi received a dazzling welcome in UAE as the iconic Burj Khalifa was lit up in the colours of the Indian national flag. As a part of the light-and-sound show the skyscraper also showcased PM Modi’s picture, followed by “Welcome Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi”

The Prime Minister emplaned for the UAE earlier on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit to France.

PM Modi called his France visit “memorable”, adding that it was more remarkable as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality.

During his two-day visit to France, PM Modi participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday.

He visited France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)

India Keeping Close Eye On Two Indians Missing In Kenya

By LokMarg 14th October 2022

The Indian government is in continuous touch with the Kenyan authorities and also keeping a close eye on the issue of two nationals including Balaji Telefilms’ ex-COO ( Chief Operations Officer) missing in Kenya since mid-July.

While addressing the weekly presser, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the two Indian nationals, Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and Zaid Sami Kidwai, have been missing in Kenya since mid-July and the government is keeping a close eye on this development but is doubtful about their missing.
“There were two Indian nationals, Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and Zaid Sami Kidwai, who has been missing in Kenya since mid-July. A Police complaint has been filed there soon after that. Subsequently, a habeas corpus petition was filed in the Kenyan court,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi

“We understand this issue is now sub-judice in the High Court of Kenya, and a number of hearings have taken place. I think, recently, this week one hearing took place. Our High Commission has been in continuous touch with the Kenyan authorities. We are also in touch with some family members. Let me emphasize that we are attached to the high consideration and attention to the safety and well-being of Indian nationals as we do with others…We are keeping a close eye on this development, I’m afraid they’re still missing,” Bagchi said during the weekly presser.

According to the Kenyan publication, former Balaji Telefilms COO Zulfiqar Khan and other Indian national Mohamed Zaid Sami Kidwai went missing in mid-July after leaving a popular club in Westlands at 11.53 pm.

Several hours later, two Indian nationals and their driver Nicodemus Mwania, were reported missing. The trio has since been missing for over 70 days.

According to several Kenyan media reports, both Indian nationals were in Kenya to join President William Ruto’s election campaign Information and Communications Technology (ICT) team.

Police officers said that the CCTV footage had been retrieved from the scene of the abduction in a bid to retrace the missing people.

In addition, a section of detectives based in Lang’ata was also detained to aid in investigations. The detained officers were ordered to hand over a file with their findings to a new team of sleuths, the Kenyan media said.

Meanwhile, Khan’s family urged the police to conclude the investigations in a bid to locate their kin. The family hired lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi who obtained orders for the trio to be produced in court. However, on August 4, the case was mentioned and the three were yet to be traced, according to a Kenya media publication.

The family has since urged acting Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow to handle the matter and expedite the investigations. (ANI)

India Objects To US Envoy Blome’s Visit To POK

By LokMarg 7th October 2022

India has objected to US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome’s visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) where he repeatedly referred to the region as “Azad Jammu and Kashmir.”

During a weekly presser, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “Our objections to the visit and meetings in PoK by the US envoy have been conveyed to the US side.”
US ambassador to Pakistan Blome during his visit to PoK throughout mentioned PoK as AJK (Azad Jammu and Kashmir). India has conveyed to the United States its objections over the US diplomat’s visit and controversial reference to PoK as Azad Kashmir.

This is the second high-profile visit by a US diplomat to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Earlier this year US Congresswomen Ilhan Omar visited PoK. India in a strongly worded statement had then said, “She visited a part of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan. If such a politician wishes to practice her narrow-minded politics at home that may be her business, but violating our territorial integrity in its pursuit makes it ours.”

India in 1994 had passed a resolution saying PoK is part of India and Pakistan must vacate and end its illegal occupation. A few months ago, Defence minister Rajnath Singh said ” Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) is a part of Indian territory and will continue to be so.”

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said that the government has seen reports about third countries participating in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Projects, and any such activity by any party directly infringed on India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Bagchi had said India firmly and consistently opposes projects in the “so-called CPEC, which are in Indian territory that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan”. “Such activities are inherently illegal, illegitimate, and unacceptable, and will be treated accordingly by India,” the official statement added. (ANI)