Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Good evening friends and welcome to the weekly media briefing. I have only one announcement to make which pertains to the rapid extension of our passport services both in range and in numbers.

Following the liberalization of passport policies announced on December 23, 2016, we have seen a nearly 30% surge in demand for passports. For example a record number of 53,400 applications were processed just on one single day i.e. the day before yesterday on February 07, out of which 49,259 were fresh applications. This is the highest since the commencement of the Passport Seva Project. Our passport offices are conducting special passport melas during the weekends to cater to the increasing demand for passports.

The pilot projects of the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) have been running successfully at Mysore and Dahod since their inauguration on 25 January. We have been releasing hundred appointments for Mysore and Dahod POPSKs per day with cent percent utilization. Appointments for Mysore are now available in 10 days while at Dahod it is available the next day.

With the successful operationalization of these two pilot projects the government has now decided to scale up this program by opening 56 new pew POPSKs in the first batch of expansion. The entire list has just been uploaded on our website. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Posts are working closely for the early commencement of passport related services at the above-mentioned POPSKs. Once fully functional, applicants who apply for their passports online through the passport portal will be able to schedule an appointment at the above POPSKs to complete the formalities necessary prior to the issue of the passport.

These are clear indications that the liberalization of the passport policies and opening of the POPSKs have been successful efforts of the government that have been welcomed by our citizens. We expect that opening of these additional POPSKs would further help our citizens in getting passports easily.

So that concludes my only announcement. The floor is now open for questions.

Question: This is regarding the Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar. China has said that there was no consensus in the committee and it also has said that they wanted the two parties i.e. India and Pakistan to talk together and you had released a statement that you are talking to Chinese government after that. So what is the situation?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Let us first get our facts clear. This proposal was not moved by India but by three permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely the United States, the United Kingdom and France. It is our understanding that this was a classic counter-terrorism proposal meant to proscribe a dreaded terrorist leader Masood Azhar whose organization the Jaish-e-Mohammad has already been proscribed by the 1267 Committee.

We don’t view this as a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan but as an issue of global counter-terrorism. We hope that eventually China will also come around to accepting this view. Obviously if there is a change in the Chinese position there will be consensus also.

Question: You had said this matter was taken up with the Chinese Government. Can you give more details?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Yes, we have taken up this matter in New Delhi with the Chinese Ambassador. I understand that a similar demarche is going to be made in Beijing.

Question: In Masood Azhar’s case France, Britain and the US have supported India. Has Russia also supported India? Have you sought Russia’s support?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Look, there were three co-sponsors but our understanding is that all other members of the committee barring one also supported the proposal.

Question: Pakistan Foreign Office had said that India is developing a top-secret nuclear city somewhere in Karnataka. I understand this is in Chandakere and they say that it may it may rattle the nuclear balance. What you have to say about this?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: These are obviously completely baseless allegations. The so-called secret nuclear city is a complete figment of the Pakistan imagination. India has always been in compliance with all its international obligations. I also find this a very strange statement coming from a country which a) does not have a separation plan and b) has a very strong record of proliferation. So clearly this shows a complete lack of understanding. It also shows a complete lack of appreciation of India’s own very very strong credentials in the area of nuclear non-proliferation.

Furthermore we believe that this is a diversionary tactic by Pakistan which aims to deflect attention from the real issue at hand i.e. the continued state sponsorship of terrorism by Pakistan and its harboring of internationally designated terrorists.

Question: Vikas do you have any update on Vijay Mallya?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Actually as a matter of fact I do. We have today handed over the request for extradition of Mr. Vijay Vittal Mallya, as received from the CBI, to the UK High Commission in New Delhi. We have requested the UK side to extradite him to face trial in India.

Question: Sir, this is about the Chinese soldier who has been in India for a long time. Is there any plan to hand him across soon because I believe the Chinese embassy has made a request saying that it would be good during this holiday period which is an auspicious time for the Chinese? So is this going to happen soon?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Well, as I had mentioned to you at my previous briefing, we were made aware of this matter and since then we have been following up on this case. The Ministry is helping Mr Wang Qi and his family members which include his son Mr. Vishnu Wang, his daughter Anita Wankhede, his daughter-in-law Neha Wang and his grandson Khanak Wang to visit China to meet his extended family. We are working with the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi and the Indian Embassy in Beijing to ensure that all formalities are completed and all arrangements are in place. It’s my understanding that his visit to China is imminent.

Question: The planning and development minister in Pakistan Ehsaan Iqbal has said that they are waiting for the state elections in India to end that there could be some kind of peace dialogue, bilateral dialogue with India after that. Is it conducive that talks can happen because he also says that during state elections India and New Delhi have a hawkish position on this entire matter?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Look, it is not state elections in India, but state terrorism by Pakistan which has stood in the way of a peaceful bilateral dialogue. It is high time Pakistan gets the diagnosis of the problem right. It should not remain in denial on the impact of cross-border terrorism on the bilateral relationship. So we believe that both the problem and its solution are within Pakistan’s reach.

Question: This is also about Wang Qi. I have also spoken with Chinese Embassy this morning and they say that he needs an exit permit from Indian side but there is some technical problem. That is what they shared with me this morning.

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: I can assure you there is no technical problem. As we speak, his family members are getting their passports. Obviously we’ll be regularizing his stay in India as well. So, as far as we are concerned, there is no technical hitch and in fact we are fully committed to this proposal for him to go for this family reunion.

Question: There are four new members of the UN Security Council, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Sweden. Have they been sensitized by India on Maulana Masood Azhar issue and also the other names with the Indian government and the PR, when are those names likely to be handed over to the 1267 Committee?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: This particular proposal by the US, France and Britain was moved on 19 January so obviously this was moved in light of the new composition of the UN Security Council which means the new members were also fully on board. As far as further listing proposals are concerned, these remain under discussion and as and when we do decide to list them you will come to know about it.

Question: The US commission for International Religious Freedom in a report published yesterday, levelled a number of allegations questioning India’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance. They have named leaders including the Prime Minister etc. We have had such reports in the past but given the fact that some might argue that the US is in itself in a questionable position when it raises these questions today. Would the MEA like to have a comment on this report?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: As you have yourself said we have rejected US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s annual reports in the past as well. We have serious doubts on their credibility. Government does not see the locus-standi of a foreign entity like the USCIRF to pronounce on the state of Indian citizens constitutionally protected rights. We take no cognizance of their report.

Question: Russian is hosting an event on Afghanistan where the Prime Minister will be participating. Can you give some more details about what India will be raising there and what will be the issues?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: First of all let me tell you categorically that Prime Minister is not participating in this event on Afghanistan which Russia is hosting. This is being hosted by Russia on 15 February in Moscow. India, as you know, is a major development partner of Afghanistan and stands with it in meeting the challenges that the friendly country and its people face, most importantly terrorism. India has always believed in close and constructive cooperation for peace, stability, security and development in Afghanistan. To this end we actively participate in several bilateral and multilateral consultations. In this context, we are happy to accept the invitation of Russia for consultations to be held in Moscow on Afghanistan on 15 February. We look forward to the valuable opportunity to discuss with other regional countries, all aspects of the situation in Afghanistan. Our team will be led by Joint Secretary PAI, Shri Gopal Baglay.

Question: Sir, it is related to the murder convicts in Qatar. Do we have any updates on that appeal?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: You see, under Qatari law mercy petitions can only be filed by the immediate family members. The embassy on its own cannot file such mercy petitions, so till now we were waiting for the mercy petitions in respect of Shri Chelladurai Perumal and Shri Alagappa Subramaniam. These have now been received. On 8 February, i.e. yesterday, our mission in Doha has forwarded both the mercy petitions along with a copy of the Cassation Court Judgment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar for onward transmission to its high destination.

Question: Sir again on H1B visas, in the last probably seven or eight days have we taken up this matter again with the US authorities, any kind of assurances that we got?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: No, the position remains exactly what I had mentioned last time. We continue to engage both members of the US administration as well as members of the U.S. Congress on our interests and concerns pertaining to not just H1B but other issues as well and we remain vigilant as to what happens on this in future. We are also engaging simultaneously with all internal stakeholders in India.

Question: Need just a clarification on extradition request for Mr. Mallya. Considering the fact that an extradition request is going to take a long time to come through, what are the hopes of getting Mr. Mallya back?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: That is a question you should ideally pose to the British authorities. We have an extradition treaty with Britain, we believe we have a legitimate case against Mr. Vijay Mallya, we are making that extradition request in the prescribed format. Now it is for the British authorities to deliberate on that request and take further action.

Question: …. Inaudible…..

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Obviously any extradition request is an example of cooperation between two states and to the extent that the extradition request is honored, it shows their sensitivity to our concerns as well.

Question: Have we made an extradition request for Lalit Modi yet?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: Not yet, we are still awaiting a request from the law enforcement agencies.

Question: Lockheed Martin said today that they were reviewing their offer to move F16 production line to India in the wake of Trump’s America First policy saying he may want to review the bid. That obviously raises questions about Make in India program as it relates to US defence partners. I am wondering about your comments either specifically on this case or sort of broader defence-related matters?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: On defence related matters obviously I’m not going to comment on. That is for the Ministry of Defence to comment on but in a larger sense, I think the Make in India programme remains very robust and it remains a very competitive proposition for all foreign entities which want to manufacture in India in view of the large Indian market, in view of the excellent workforce, trained workforce that is available here, the excellent quality of the HRD and the cost competitiveness that we offer. So I think this remains a very good value proposition for all foreign manufacturers who are interested in not only the Indian market but also exporting to overseas.

OK, I think we have come to a close to all the questions. Thank you all.

(Concludes)