The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, scheduled for October 15 and 16.
#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “EAM Jaishankar will lead a delegation to Pakistan for the SCO summit which will be held in Islamabad on 15th and 16th October…” pic.twitter.com/HP7cSzH6AI
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
In response to the recent visit of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to Pakistan, where he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed India’s disappointment. Jaiswal remarked, “We have seen reports that he [Zakir Naik] has been fitted into Pakistan and warmly welcomed there. It is not surprising for us that an Indian fugitive has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is disappointing and condemnable but not surprising.”
#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We have seen reports that he (Zakir Naik) has been fitted into Pakistan and warmly welcomed there. It is not surprising for us that an Indian fugitive has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is disappointing and… pic.twitter.com/L5dL3hLmEz
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
Naik, who fled India in 2016 amid allegations of money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches, was granted permanent residency in Malaysia. He arrived in Pakistan on a government invitation for a month-long visit, during which he will deliver lectures in major cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. This is his first visit to Pakistan in over three decades, with his last trip being in 1992.
During his meeting with Sharif, Naik was lauded for his “insightful and impactful” lectures. Prime Minister Sharif remarked, “Islam is a religion of peace, and you are doing an important duty by spreading the true message of Islam among people,” according to a report by state-run Radio Pakistan.
MEA Reiterates India’s Call For Restraint Amid Conflict In West Asia
Addressing concerns regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Jaiswal highlighted India’s call for restraint. “We issued a statement a few days back expressing deep concern. We said that the violence and the situation is of deep concern for us. We had reiterated a call for restraint by all concerned and also the protection of civilians,” he stated.
#WATCH | On the West Asia issue, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We issued a statement a few days back expressing deep concern – we said that the violence and the situation is of deep concern for us. We had reiterated a call for restraint by all concerned and also the… pic.twitter.com/1vKwRnMlGt
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
He clarified that there are no current plans for evacuation, as flights from countries like Israel, Iran, and Lebanon are still operational. “As of now, from Israel, Iran, and other countries, flights are running so people have the option if they want to leave. Families have reached out to us and to our embassies, but at this point, we don’t have any evacuation process going on,” Jaiswal added.
The MEA also provided details about the Indian community in these regions, with approximately 30,000 people in Israel, largely caregivers and workers, and around 10,000 individuals, including 5,000 students, in Iran. Additionally, there are about 3,000 Indians, mostly in Beirut, Lebanon.
