The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that as many as 175,000 Indians have already visited Hajj and of them 98 pilgrims lost their lives due to natural causes and chronic illnesses.
Addressing a press briefing on Friday, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Every year large number of pilgrims from India attend Hajj, and some of them unfortunately pass away during the Hajj period. This year we have 175,000 Indians who have already visited Hajj… So far, we have lost 98 of our citizens. These deaths have happened on account of natural illness, natural causes, chronic illness, and also old age. On the day of Arafat, six Indians died and four Indians died on account of accidents.”
“Last year the figure of Indians who died in Hajj was 187…,” he added.
The MEA statement comes a day after reports suggested that more than 1,000 pilgrims from 10 countries died during the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
On the visit of the high-level US Congressional delegation to meet the Dalai Lama, Jaiswal said that India’s position on his holiness Dalai Lama is firm and clear.
“…I would like to reiterate India’s position on His Holiness Dalai Lama. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. His Holiness is accorded due courtesies and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities…,” added the spokesperson.
On consular access to Nikhil Gupta who was extradited to the US, Jaiswal said he was extradited to the US on 14 June.
“We have not received any request for consular access from Nikhil Gupta. But his family has got in touch with us… And we are looking at the matter as to what can be done on their request,” said Jaiswal.
Talking about Canadian Parliament observing two-minute silence on the death anniversary of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Jaiswal said that India opposes any move that gives political space to extremism.
“We naturally oppose any moves giving political space to extremism and those advocating violence…,” he added.
On the death of two Indians serving in the Russian Army, Jaiswal said that India is engaged with the Russian authorities both in New Delhi and in Moscow to facilitate the release and repatriation of those serving in the Russian army.
“The number of people who have contacted us so far is between 20 to 25. 10 of them have been released… Two people have died recently, we are in touch with the Russian Defence Ministry and the Foreign Ministry so that the mortal remains can be brought to India as soon as possible…,” added Jaiswal.
The MEA spokesperson also shared the details of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent trip to Sri Lanka.
“…This was his first bilateral visit to any country after being sworn in as External Affairs Minister… His visit underscores India’s primacy that we accord to Sri Lanka in a Neighbourhood-First’ policy as also a SAGAR vision policy,” he said.
“EAM called on the President of Sri Lanka. He also called on the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena. They had delegation-level talks in which several ministers from the Sri Lankan side were present. President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the EAM handed over 48 houses under the Model Village housing project in Colombo and Trincomalee… During the visit, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, an important platform for search and rescue operations at sea, established with India’s grant of $6 million was also jointly commissioned in a virtual ceremony…,” added Jaiswal.
On Khalistani terrorism, Jaiswal said that India has time and again said that Khalistani activities are a matter of serious concern.
“We have been repeatedly calling upon the government of Canada to take action. Political space provided to extremist anti-India elements and those advocating violence must stop and they must take action…,” he added.
Hitting out at the Khalistani ‘Citizen’s Courts’ in Canada, he said that India has strongly protested at the Canadian High Commission in India and sought appropriate action.
“We have strongly protested at the Canadian High Commission here. Such courts or gatherings are not helpful at all. We have strongly taken it up with them and asked them to take appropriate action in the matter….,” said Jaiswal.
When asked about French journalist Sebastien Farcis allegedly leaving the country owing to expiry of visa, Jaiswal said Farcis is an OCI card holder and required permission or a work permit to carry out journalistic activities here.
“Sebastien Farcis is an OCI card holder. If you are an OCI card holder, you need permission or a work permit to carry on your journalistic activities. He applied in May of 2024 and his application is still under consideration. The question of his leaving the country is a decision for him to take. If he has taken it, that’s fine. But, his work permit application is still under consideration. He had reapplied it here in May of 2024…,” Jaiswal added.
With inputs from agencies
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