Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon friends, let's begin our conversation. The floor is open.
Akhilesh, DD News: Sir, main Akhilesh Suman hoon, DD News se. Emmanuel Macron aur Keir Starmer ek aayojan kar rahe hain, 40 desh se zyada desh ke usmein log bhaag le rahe hain Strait of Hormuz ke baare mein. Freedom of navigation ko ensure karne ke liye. Toh Bharat kya usme bhaag le raha hai? Kis level pe bhaag le raha hai aur Bharat ka stand kya hai?
[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Akhilesh Suman from DD News. Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer are organizing an event in which participants from more than 40 countries are taking part, regarding the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring freedom of navigation. Is India participating in it? At what level is India participating, and what is India’s stance on this?
Reza, Hindustan Times: Reza from Hindustan Times. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said after their Foreign Minister's meetings here in Delhi that they had raised the issue of Sheikh Hasina's extradition. I was wondering if we could find out what was the Indian response. And also there are efforts in the Bangladesh Parliament to pass a law that would effectively, you know, ratify the ban on the Awami League and whether we had raised this issue since we have said that, you know, the politics should be inclusive in Bangladesh.
Megha, NewsX: Good afternoon, sir. I am Megha from NewsX. And I would like to know, is India in agreement with Israel when it says that Pakistan is ill-fitted to be a neutral mediator for peace talks between US and Iran, in wake of its anti-Semitic sentiment against the Jews and Israel?
Santosh, Navbharat: Sir, Santosh Navbharat se. Mera sawal ye hai sir ki iss samay jab petrol-diesel aur LPG ki samasya humne dekhi hai toh uss samay jo hamare padosi mulk hain Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan kyunki Bharat hi unko supply karta hai toh humne kitna unko supply kiye hain, agar uska koi data wagerah ho. Thank you.
[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Santosh from Navbharat. My question is: at a time when we have seen issues related to petrol, diesel, and LPG, what has been the supply situation to our neighboring countries—Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan—since India supplies them? If there is any data available on how much has been supplied, please share it. Thank you.
Pranay Upadhyay, India Today Aaj Tak: Sir, Pranay Upadhyay, India Today Aaj Tak se. Lebanon aur Israel ke beech mein ek ceasefire hua hai, isko lekar Bharat Sarkar ki pratikriya kya hai? Aur doosra ki Israel ki taraf se aagrah kiya gaya hai ki Hamas ko Bharat bhi ek terrorist organization ghoshit kare, iss pe kya koi view liya gaya hai abhi tak? Aur Hezbollah ko disarm karne ko lekar Bharat ki policy kya hai?
[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Pranay Upadhyay from India Today Aaj Tak. A ceasefire has been reached between Lebanon and Israel—what is the Government of India’s response to this? Secondly, Israel has urged that India should also designate Hamas as a terrorist organization—has any view been taken on this so far? And what is India’s policy regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Akhilesh ji, sabse pehle aapka sawal. Ji haan, Bharat ko nimantran mila hai iss meeting mein bhaag lene ke liye aur meeting mere khayal se kuch ghanton mein shuru hone wali hai. Jahaan tak kis star pe hamari wahaan par bhaagidaari hogi, iske baare mein aapko jankari denge. Aur meeting ke pashchaat bhi aapko ye jankari denge ki kis prakar ki baat wahaan par hui.
[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Akhilesh ji, first of all, your question. Yes, India has been invited to participate in this meeting, and I believe it is going to begin in a few hours. As for the level at which India will participate, we will inform you. We will also share details on the kind of discussions that take place there.
Reza, your question was regarding Sheikh Hasina. The request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. We will continue to engage constructively on the issue with all stakeholders.
The other question that you asked, we follow all developments very closely. On that particular issue, I would like to say that when the Bangladesh Foreign Minister visited India, we had given you a readout of all that was discussed when he met our External Affairs Minister. So, I would refer you to that particular release. But I would also like to emphasize that External Affairs Minister reiterated India's desire to engage constructively with the new government and further strengthen bilateral ties. The two sides agreed to explore proposals for deepening the partnership through the relevant bilateral mechanisms. Follow-on official meetings are expected to take place at an early date. Further, both sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. So, that is what I have for you.
Megha, on your question, look, we are following all developments that are happening in the West Asian conflict.
Santosh ji, aapka sawal ki padosi mulkon ko kis prakar ka madad de rahe hain. Toh hamare kai ek padosi mulk se hamare paas unki taraf se anurodh aaya hai ki hum unko urja samagri unko uplabdh karayein. Kai deshon ko urja samagri hum uplabdh kara rahe hain, lekin iss darmiyan jo hamari apni zaroortein hain usko maddenazar rakhte huye aur kis prakar ki yahaan par uplabdhi hai usko maddenazar rakhte huye kiya ja raha hai. Humne Bangladesh ko 22,000 metric ton high speed diesel March ke mahine mein muhaiya karaya tha, aur saath hi saath iss mahine bhi hamare jo unko hum urja samagri aur diesel dete hain woh bhi unko diya ja raha hai. Sri Lanka ke sandarbh mein aapko pata hai ki 38,000 metric ton ki petroleum products humne pichle mahine unko bheja tha.
Ek saptah pehle hamare videsh mantri ki daura hui Mauritius ki, uss dauran dono deshon ke beech mein baatchit hui iss mudde par aur abhi hum log iss prakriya mein hain ki dono deshon ke beech mein government-to-government ke star par ek agreement ko final roop dene ki prayas kar rahe hain taaki Mauritius ki jo urja sthiti hai woh behtar ho aur unko oil aur gas hum pradan karein.
Jahaan tak Nepal ka sawal hai, Nepal aur Bharat ke beech jo pehle se chal rahe jo... jo agreement hain, ek toh agreement Indian Oil Corporation aur Nepal ke beech mein hai jiske tehat hum unko petroleum padarth unko uplabdh karate hain. Aur ye unki zaroorton ke mutabik unko muhaiya karaya ja raha hai bina koi interruption ke, bina koi badha ke unko diya ja raha hai.
Usi tarah Bhutan ke saath bhi hamare dono deshon ke beech mein ek samajh hai, ek sajhedari hai urja padarth ko leke, unko bhi urja hum muhaiya kara rahe hain. Jahaan tak Maldives aur Seychelles ki baat hai, unse bhi kuch hamare paas anurodh aaya hai aur unse hamari lagataar iss maamle mein baatchit chal rahi hai.
Main saath-saath ye bhi kehna chahunga ki hamare padosi deshon ki taraf se, unke sarkar ki taraf se unhone iss baat ki sarahna ki hai ki hum log Bharat ki taraf se unko urja samagri unko iss dauran jab Pashchim Asia mein sangharsh chal raha hai, iss darmiyan unko muhaiya karaya ja raha hai.
[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Santosh ji, regarding your question about the kind of assistance being provided to neighboring countries: several of our neighboring nations have made requests to us for the supply of energy resources. We are providing energy supplies to a number of countries, but this is being done while keeping in mind our own domestic requirements and the availability of resources here.
We supplied 22,000 metric tons of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in the month of March, and in this month as well, we are continuing to provide them with energy resources and diesel. As for Sri Lanka, you are aware that we sent 38,000 metric tons of petroleum products to them last month. A week ago, our External Affairs Minister visited Mauritius. During that visit, discussions were held between the two countries on this issue, and we are currently in the process of finalizing a government-to-government agreement to help improve Mauritius’s energy situation and enable us to supply them with oil and gas.
As far as Nepal is concerned, there are already existing agreements between Nepal and India. One such agreement is between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal, under which we supply them with petroleum products. These are being provided according to their requirements, without any interruption or disruption. Similarly, with Bhutan, there is an understanding and partnership between our two countries regarding energy supplies, and we are providing them with energy resources as well. Regarding the Maldives and Seychelles, we have received some requests from them too, and discussions are ongoing on this matter. I would also like to add that neighboring countries and their governments have appreciated the fact that India is supplying them with energy resources during this period, especially while the conflict in West Asia is ongoing.
So, we have received requests from our neighboring countries for supply of fuel and these are being looked into, keeping in mind our own requirements, availability, and refining capacity. We have supplied, as I just told you, 22,000 metric tons of high speed diesel to Bangladesh in March 2026 and further supplies have continued this month as well. You would recall that last month we had supplied 38,000 metric tons of petroleum products to Sri Lanka as well. External Affairs Minister visited Mauritius last week. We are finalizing a government-to-government agreement for supply of oil and gas which will play an important role in reinforcing energy security of Mauritius.
As far as Nepal is concerned, there is an existing arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation to supply petroleum products to Nepal as per its requirements. These supplies are continuing without any interruption. Energy supplies to Bhutan also continue as per existing arrangement. As I had mentioned earlier, we have received request from Seychelles and Maldives to meet their energy requirements. We continue to be in touch with them in this regard and are considering the request keeping in mind our own domestic requirements and availability of fuel. I would also like to add that our neighboring country governments have expressed appreciation for uninterrupted supply, fuel supply to them during the West Asian conflict.
Pranay, ceasefire ko leke main ye kehna chahunga ki ceasefire ka hum swagat karte hain, aur ceasefire hi nahi vo har kadam jo shanti ki disha mein jata hai uska hum log swagat karte hain. Jahaan tak Hamas ki baat apne kahi aur anya sansthaon ki baat kahi, iske baare mein hum logon ne yahaan bhi khulasa kiya hai ki hamare yahan ek prakriya hai, us prakriya ke tehat in muddon par dhyaan diya jata hai.
[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] On the ceasefire, I would like to say that we welcome the ceasefire, and not just that—any step that moves in the direction of peace is welcomed by us. As far as Hamas and other organizations are concerned, we have clarified here as well that there is a process in place in our country, and such matters are considered under that process, based on established principles.
Siddhant, WION: Sir, Siddhant from WION. (audio unclear) on the Russian oil and the Iranian oil, the reaction on that. And secondly, we've also seen comments by the Pakistani side on the delimitation process in India especially in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Any reaction from the Indian side on that?
Snehesh, ThePrint: Sir, Snehesh from ThePrint. Sir, Trump right, left and center has been praising Pakistan and especially General Asim Munir, over the role played in ensuring the ceasefire. How does India see Pakistan's role in this ceasefire? And Trump has also said that he's willing to travel to Pakistan if a formal ceasefire agreement is reached. And so, are there any talks of Trump making a stop in India or would we be okay with it if he links both Pakistan and India together in one trip? Thank you.
Sahil Pandey, ANI: Sir, I'm Sahil Pandey from ANI news agency. Sir, could you share update on extradition of Nirav Modi if you can? Thank you.
Keshav Padmanabhan, ThePrint: Thank you spokesperson. Keshav Padmanabhan here from ThePrint. I just wanted to ask you about the eighth Indian Naval veteran who's still in Qatar because his family has said that he has been languishing in jail for the last five months despite the Ministry of External Affairs releasing a statement that all veterans have been released almost two years ago. So, can you give us an update and what is the situation, and if he is in jail, has he reached out for consular access and has the MEA sort of looked into this? Thank you.
Neeraj, News18 India: Neeraj, News18 India se sir. 8 April ko Iran mein bhartiya dootavas ki taraf se ek advisory jaari ki gayi thi ki jo log vahan hain vo nikal aayein. To abhi kya sthiti hai sir, us advisory ke baad kitne log bahar aa sake hain aur kitne log abhi maujood hain Iran mein?
[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Neeraj from News18 India. On April 8, an advisory was issued by the Indian Embassy in Iran asking people there to leave. What is the current situation now? After that advisory, how many people have been able to return, and how many are still present in Iran?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Siddhant, first to your question. See, as far as energy sourcing is concerned, we have told you on several occasions what is our policy. It is based on meeting the requirements of our 1.4 billion people as also the market conditions and the global situation that is available. That continues to be our policy as far as energy sourcing is concerned. There is no change. On the delimitation exercise, you know, internal matters of India are internal matters of India and we reject any attempts to make intrusion in those or make any such remarks.
Snehesh, to your question, I have a very simple answer that we are closely following all the developments that are connected with the West Asian region.
Sahil, on Nirav Modi, we have been in touch with UK side on the extradition request. We understand that legal proceedings in this particular matter are currently underway. As and when we have further updates on this particular issue, I will surely come back. But to tell you that Government of India remains fully committed to ensuring that fugitives are brought back to India to face the law.
Keshav, on the eighth naval veteran. See, the eighth naval veteran, he has a particular case against him. He was detained in that. It has nothing to do with the earlier case. The court there has given a ruling under which he has been given a sentence. We are in touch with him, with his family as well, and his lawyers. So, that is where this particular issue is.
Neeraj, aapka sawal Bhartiya nagarik Iran mein kitne hain aur jo humne 8 April ko advisory jaari ki thi. Pehle main aapko bata doon ki sangharsh shuru hone ke baad se humne 2361 Bhartiya nagarik ko surakshit Iran se Bharat laane mein madad kiya hai. Isme se 2060 log Armenia ke raaste aaye hain aur 301 log Azerbaijan ke raaste aaye hain. Aur is ank mein 2361 logon mein 1041 Bhartiya chhatra bhi hain aur saath hi saath teen videshi—ek Bangladesh ke, ek Sri Lanka ke aur ek Guyana ke—in teenon ko bhi hum logon ne madad kiya hai. Maine bataya tha jaise ki pichle presser mein ki kariban kariban 7500 hamare Bhartiya nagarik us waqt Iran mein the. Usme se kuch aur log nikal aaye hain toh 7000 ya 6500 log abhi bhi wahan par hon. Ya 6000 ke lagbhag mein log wahan honge. Aur yeh jo aapko maine ankda diya 2361 ka isme naavik log bhi hain, machhuare log bhi hain jo ki haali ke dinon mein wahan se waapas aaye.
[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Neeraj, your question was about how many Indian nationals are in Iran and regarding the advisory issued on April 8. First, let me inform you that since the conflict began, we have assisted 2,361 Indian nationals in safely returning from Iran to India. Out of these, 2,060 people came via Armenia, and 301 people came via Azerbaijan. Among these 2,361 individuals, 1,041 are Indian students, and we have also assisted three foreign nationals—one each from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Guyana. As I mentioned in the previous press briefing, there were approximately 7,500 Indian nationals in Iran at that time. Some more people have since left, so currently around 6,000 to 6,500 people are still there, more close to about 6,000. The figure of 2,361 also includes seafarers and fishermen who have returned from there in recent days.
Krishan Mohan Sharma, Bharat Express: Sir, Krishan Mohan Sharma, Bharat Express se. AIMSA ek organization hai jisne Ministry of External Affairs aur Medical Council of India dono se appeal ki hai ki jo 3000 bachhe Iran se aaye hain medical ke unko kisi tareeke se Bharat mein absorb kiya jaye.
[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Krishan Mohan Sharma from Bharat Express. My question is: AIMSA, an organization, has appealed to both the Ministry of External Affairs and the Medical Council of India that around 3,000 medical students who have returned from Iran should somehow be absorbed into India.
Kadambini Sharma, Independent Journalist: Kadambini Sharma, independent journalist. America ne jo pratibandh lagaya tha Roos ke tel par, uski... usme jo chhoot di gayi thi uski avadhi 30 din ki thi jo khatam ho gayi. Bharat ko jis tarah ki energy requirements hain isko dekhte hue kya koi kootneetik star par yeh chhoot badhane ki koi baat ho rahi hai ya ho chuki hai? Agar is par kuch bata sakein.
[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Kadambini Sharma, independent journalist. The United States had imposed sanctions on Russian oil, and a waiver had been granted for a period of 30 days, which has now expired. Considering India’s energy requirements, are there any diplomatic-level discussions underway or have taken place to extend this waiver? If you could shed some light on this.
Abhimanyu Sharma, CNBC-TV18: Good afternoon, sir. Abhimanyu Sharma from CNBC-TV18. Sir, is the India-Korea trade pact which is under review... is there any expectation of any further announcement to be made next week when the Korean leadership is visiting India?
Keita, Jiji Press: Good afternoon. I am Keita from Jiji Press, Japanese news agency. I saw some reports that India withdrawn its bid host COP33 in 2028. So, could you confirm this news and what is the reason of this? Thank you.
Sanjeev Trivedi, News24: Sir, main Sanjeev Trivedi, News24 se. Sir, conditional sanctions waiver jo Chabahar ko lekar ke mila hua tha uski jo taarikh hai 26 April... hum taarikh ki taraf badh rahe hain, aapne pehle bhi hum logon ko jaankari di hai ki we are in touch with American authorities. Toh kya is baare mein kuch aap taaza share karenge? Ek apprehension hai ki is baar ke budget mein koi allocation nahi hai Chabahar ko lekar. Toh kya hum wind up kar rahe hain?
[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Sanjeev Trivedi from News24. Sir, regarding the conditional sanctions waiver granted for Chabahar, the deadline of April 26 is approaching. You had earlier informed us that we are in touch with American authorities—could you share any fresh updates on this? There is also an apprehension that in this year’s budget there is no allocation for Chabahar. Does this mean we are planning to wind up our involvement?
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, first Krishan Mohan ji, aapka sawal jo Iran se hamare bachhe jo wahan par medical ki padhai kar rahe hain waapas aaye hain. Bilkul sahi, abhi thode se kyunki haalaat is prakar ke hain. Mere khayal se Medical Council of India ho ya aur jo takneeki sansthaein hain is mudde pe dekh rahi hain aur ispe kuch agar kuch progress hota hai baatcheet pe toh main aapko zaroor avagat karaunga.
[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Krishan Mohan ji, regarding your question about Indian students who have returned from Iran and were pursuing medical studies there—yes, that is correct, given the current situation. As far as this issue is concerned, my understanding is that the Medical Council of India and other relevant technical institutions are examining the matter. If there is any progress in the discussions on this issue, I will certainly keep you informed.
Kadambini, sanctions ko lekar. Dekhiye, bahut logon ne yeh sawal bhi kiya tha pehle ki kya ispe baat hui hai Amriki sarkar se? Toh hamare Foreign Secretary ki yatra hui thi Washington ki 8 aur 10 April ke beech mein. Iske darmiyaan unhone wahan ke kayi ek saare adhikaariyon se baatcheet ki jisme ki dwipakshiya mudde aur bahut saare vaishvik muddon par charcha hui. Lekin main yeh baat keh sakta hoon ki jahan tak yeh energy sanctions waiver ki discussion ki baat hai, is par mere paas aapse kuch saajha karaane ke liye nahi hai.
[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Kadambini, regarding the sanctions. Many people have asked earlier whether this issue was discussed with the American government. Our Foreign Secretary visited Washington between April 8 and 10. During this visit, he held discussions with several officials there, covering bilateral issues as well as many global matters. However, as far as discussions on the energy sanctions waiver are concerned, I do not have anything to share on that at this point.
Abhimanyu, on your question, the President of South Korea is visiting. This is a state visit. The main day of the visit happens to be 19th. This of course is a very important visit for us because Korea is a very important economic partner, technology partner. Issues such as shipbuilding, trade, investments, semicon, critical and emerging technologies—all these will be discussed. As to your specific question as to where we are on trade matters etc., you'll have to either wait for me to come back to you or you can possibly touch base with Ministry of Commerce. But to say that our economic agenda with South Korea is very strong and we want to continue to build on it.
Keita, on COP, yes, India has withdrawn. There are several issues that we have taken into account. But India remains fully committed to meeting its climate change commitments. As you know, we were and we are one of the countries of the G20 countries which has fully met its Paris commitments and we continue to build on our green agenda and at the same time see how best we can foster greater climate change action worldwide along with our international partners including through International Solar Alliance and other such initiatives that we have undertaken.
Climate change ko lekar jo COP ki mezbaani humko karni thi uske hum davedaar the, usko hum logon ne abhi usko sthagit kar diya hai, woh hum iski davedaari nahi kar rahe hain. Kayi ek saare cheezein hain aur vistrit jaankari toh Ministry of Environment aur Forest jo hai woh aapko de sakti hai. Lekin jahan tak jalvayu parivartan ki baat hai, main yeh keh sakta hoon ki Bharat ispe agrasar hai. Jitni bhi hamari commitments rahin, international commitments, usko hum aage lekar ja rahe hain aur Paris commitments ka jahan tak sawal hai, hum un chuninda G20 deshon mein se hain jinhone apne Paris commitments sahi samay par aur samay se pehle usko pura kar liya hai aur aane wale dinon mein hamari jo green agenda ka kaam hai usko hum tezi se, poore damkham ke saath aage lekar ja rahe hain.
[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Regarding climate change, we were contenders to host the COP, but we are not pursuing it at the moment. There are several aspects to this, and detailed information can be provided by the Ministry of Environment and Forest. However, as far as climate change is concerned, I can say that India is proactive on this issue. We are taking forward all our international commitments, and with regard to the Paris commitments, we are among the select G20 countries that have fulfilled them on time, and even ahead of schedule. In the coming days, we will continue to advance our green agenda with full strength and momentum.
Sanjeev, aapka sawal Chabahar ko lekar tha. Jaisa ki maine pehle hi bataya tha ki Amriki paksh se humko ek guidance mili thi ki yeh waiver jo hai, sanctions waiver, woh 26 April tak yeh aapko mila hai. Toh abhi ki sthiti yahi hai ki yeh waiver, sanctions waiver, 26 April tak hai aur is maamle mein hum log jitne bhi paksh hain jo isme jude hain unse hum log ki baatcheet chal rahi hai aur saath hi saath yeh dekhne ke liye ki iska kya asar hoga, is par dhyaan diya ja raha hai.
[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Sanjeev, your question was regarding Chabahar. As I had mentioned earlier, we had received guidance from the American side that this sanctions waiver is valid until April 26. So, as of now, the situation is that the sanctions waiver remains in effect until April 26. On this matter, we are in discussions with all the stakeholders involved, and at the same time, we are closely assessing what the implications of this will be.
Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: With that, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the close of this press conference. Thank you.
New Delhi
April 17, 2026