In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh revealed that the United Arab Emirates holds the highest number of Indian prisoners -- 2,773. This is followed by Saudi Arabia (2,379) and Nepal (1,357)
The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that due to stringent privacy laws in many countries, comprehensive details on imprisoned foreign nationals are not always available. Representational Pic/File
Over 10,500 Indian nationals are currently imprisoned in jails around the world, with 43 of them on death row, the Parliament was informed on Friday, reported the IANS.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs (MEA) Kirti Vardhan Singh revealed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holds the highest number of Indian prisoners -- 2,773. It is followed by Saudi Arabia - 2,379 and Nepal - 1,357, according to the IANS.
Other countries with significant Indian inmate populations include -- Qatar - 795, Malaysia - 380, Kuwait - 342, United Kingdom - 323, Bahrain - 261, Pakistan - 246, China - 183.
In contrast, several countries have only one Indian prisoner each, such as Angola, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Egypt, Iraq, Jamaica, Mauritius, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Tajikistan, and Yemen.
Out of the total 10,574 Indian prisoners, 43 are on death row across different countries with 21 in UAE, Saudi Arabia- 7, China- 4, Indonesia- 3, Kuwait- 2, USA, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Yemen one each, the IANS reported.
The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that due to stringent privacy laws in many countries, comprehensive details on imprisoned foreign nationals are not always available unless the individuals consent to disclosure.
In response to the growing concern, the government has emphasised that Indian missions and consulates abroad closely monitor such cases and extend full legal and consular support, the news agency reported.
However, Indian missions and consulates abroad are actively monitoring these cases, offering consular access, legal aid, and assistance in pursuing early release, repatriation, or amnesty through diplomatic and judicial channels, the news agency reported on Friday.
Legal aid, consular access, and efforts toward early release or repatriation are undertaken through bilateral talks, judicial interventions, and, when needed, appeals for amnesty. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is being utilised to provide financial and legal aid in deserving cases, particularly to assist with legal representation and repatriation costs, reported the IANS.
The government also confirmed that it is actively engaging with Sri Lanka for the release of 28 Indian fishermen -- 27 from Tamil Nadu and one from Puducherry -- currently held in Sri Lankan custody.
(with IANS inputs)
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