Ukrainians Held in India: Embassy Asks for Action

The Ukrainian Embassy in India has dispatched, for a second time, a formal communication to the Indian Foreign Ministry concerning the holding of Ukrainian nationals.

The six Ukrainian individuals being held in India are still awaiting consular support. The Ukrainian Embassy in India has formally asked for permission for consular staff to visit the Ukrainian nationals.

This information was disseminated by the press office of the Foreign Ministry, Glavkom states.

“Today, March 18th, the Ukrainian Embassy in India reiterated its official correspondence to the Indian Foreign Ministry, urging for immediate and unrestricted access for consuls to these citizens,” the statement indicates.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry underlined that Ukrainian citizens in India possess the entitlement, with the backing of Ukrainian consuls, to obtain legal counsel and representation during judicial proceedings.

Nevertheless, on March 16th, during the court session pertaining to the case of the detained Ukrainians, the personnel of the Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of India were denied the opportunity to interact directly with them. Subsequent to the session, the court decreed an extension of their confinement until March 27th.

“In contrast to established global practices, the Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of India has not been formally advised by the relevant Indian authorities regarding the custody of Ukrainian citizens. The Ukrainian contingent is adamant about promptly securing unimpeded consular access to those detained,” the Foreign Ministry communicated at that juncture.

To reiterate, seven foreign individuals, among them six Ukrainian citizens, were taken into custody in India on March 13th. The Ukrainians face allegations of having illegally crossed the border with Myanmar, potentially establishing contact with specific ethnic armed factions.

Investigators further assert that the detainees might have been providing training to militants affiliated with insurgent groups within India.