The increasing tension in West Asia has increased diplomatic challenges for India. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jyaiswal said that due to recent events in the region, it has become challenging to agree on a joint statement among the BRICS countries.
New Delhi: Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randeep Goyal Jaiswal said that Pakistan’s illegal nuclear program is a serious threat to the world. He also condemned the attacks carried out by Pakistan in Afghanistan and said that civilian structures were also targeted in these attacks. When asked whether India was facing difficulty in getting consensus on the BRICS joint statement on the issue of West Asia, Jaiswal admitted that there were challenges in it.
He said that recently, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Araghchi, in a conversation with India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, said that the joint statement of BRICS should condemn the attacks on Iran by America and Israel and show the solidarity of the BRICS countries.
Problems in agreeing on joint statement in BRICS
It has become difficult for India to prepare a joint statement of BRICS at this time, as many member countries are affected by the incidents of Iran-Israel war. Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in a recent conversation with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, had demanded to include condemnation of US and Israeli attacks on Iran in the BRICS statement.
Randhir Jaiswal said, it has become challenging to agree on a common statement in BRICS. India is trying to strike a balance in this endeavor keeping in mind the viewpoints of all countries.
Criticism of Pakistan and attacks on Afghanistan
Jaiswal also criticized Pakistan’s ongoing illegal nuclear program and attacks on civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan’s nuclear history is a threat to the world and targeting civilians in Afghanistan is completely unacceptable. With this statement, India made it clear that activities increasing instability in the region are being strongly condemned.
The Ministry of External Affairs gave information about the situation of Indian citizens stranded in Iran. There were approximately 9,000 Indian nationals in Iran, most of whom had left the country before the fighting began. Jaiswal said that at present about 882 Indian citizens, including students, businessmen and pilgrims, are returning to India via Azerbaijan and Armenia. Some of these have already reached the country.
He also said that out of 284 pilgrims, 280 have already arrived and the remaining three-four are expected to return soon. 772 people reached Armenia via the Iranian land border, while returns via Azerbaijan are slow. The Ministry of External Affairs warned all citizens returning to India to follow safety advisories.
Consular access and legal procedures
Jaiswal also gave information about the case related to Ukrainian and American citizens. Recently NIA has detained six Ukrainian and one American citizen. Consular access is being provided to these citizens. He said that this matter is related to the legal process. The concerned agencies are investigating. Some areas are restricted or sensitive, requiring special permission to visit.
India is currently holding the presidency of BRICS and it is its responsibility to prepare a joint statement. But due to recent developments in West Asia and the Iran-Israel conflict, the views of the member countries are different.
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