India on Tuesday rejected what it described as fabricated allegations and frivolous lawsuits against its senior officials in a US civil case filed by Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, while raising concerns over reported attempts by Chinese nationals to portray neighbourhoods in Bangladesh as parts of New Delhi.
At its biweekly media briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also outlined India’s diplomatic efforts to promote peace between Russia and Ukraine, reiterated its position on safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and defended its longstanding engagement with lobbying firms in Washington.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed a range of questions concerning India’s diplomatic and strategic interests, including the legal proceedings in the United States, misinformation, maritime security, India’s engagement with Russia and Ukraine, and bilateral relations with the US.
India Rejects Lawsuit Against Ajit Doval and Former R&AW Chief
Responding to a question on a US court order allowing Pannun to pursue the service of summons on National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Samant Goel through Indian courts, Jaiswal said, “We reject the fabricated and malicious attacks on our high officials. Also, we reject the frivolous lawsuits.”
He further clarified, “A request for the service of judicial documents in India can only be routed through India’s designated central authority, which is the Ministry of Law and Justice.”
The development follows a November 9 order by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York in a civil lawsuit filed by Pannun. The court, presided over by US District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, granted his request to pursue service of summons on Doval and Goel through Indian courts.
Pannun filed the case in September 2024, alleging that Indian officials were involved in a plot to assassinate him in New York in 2023.
India Calls Reported Portrayal of Dhaka as Delhi Unfortunate
On reports that Chinese nationals were filming impoverished neighbourhoods in Bangladesh and presenting the footage as scenes from New Delhi, Jaiswal described attempts to portray a distorted picture of a country as unfortunate.
“We have seen media reports in this regard. Such efforts to present a distorted picture of any country is unfortunate, I would say,” he said.
Referring to reports alleging that foreign nationals were being engaged to portray Dhaka as Delhi, he added, “Insofar as efforts to buy foreign elements to portray Dhaka as Delhi are concerned, peddling of false narratives only undermines the credibility of those who are undertaking such actions and those who are filming them.”
He also urged the authorities concerned to take action, saying, “And I would urge that authorities concerned must take action against such a report.”
The remarks followed an investigative report by Bangladesh’s Prothom Alo, which alleged that around 150 Chinese nationals had been documenting impoverished neighbourhoods in Dhaka and broadcasting the footage on digital platforms while claiming that the locations were in New Delhi.
India Conveys Ideas to Russia and Ukraine to Support Peace Efforts
On the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Jaiswal reiterated that India considers dialogue and diplomacy the way forward and has conveyed ideas to both countries to help restore peace.
“As you know that India has been emphasising that the way forward is to take the path of dialogue and diplomacy. And in recent months, our Prime Minister has expressed and articulated that endless wars must now give way to end of war,” Jaiswal said.
He said India’s proposals included ensuring the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea region, addressing the immediate concerns of both countries regarding energy and grain exports, and exploring non-attack arrangements.
“Keeping with this idea of bringing peace to the region, India has engaged or has been engaged with both Russia and Ukraine, and we have conveyed certain ideas to them,” he said.
“These ideas include safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea region. It also includes addressing concerns, immediate concerns of both the countries in regard to energy and grain exports, as also non-attack arrangements,” Jaiswal added.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on November 9, Jaiswal said the two leaders exchanged perspectives on the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian aspects and diplomatic initiatives to restore peace. PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to contributing towards peace in every possible way.
Following the conversation, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The two leaders discussed ongoing diplomatic initiatives concerning the conflict.
On the issue of food corridors, Jaiswal said India had exchanged ideas with both sides and remained in contact with Russia, Ukraine and other interested parties to contribute to efforts to restore peace.
India Reiterates Call for Safe Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Addressing concerns over regional tensions and threats to commercial shipping in West Asia, Jaiswal reiterated India’s call for safe, free and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
“We continue to call for safe, free and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. We are in touch with all concerned parties to avoid attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, including Indian vessels which are under the Indian flag as well as Indian seafarers. So that is where we are on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz.”
He said India was in contact with all concerned parties to prevent attacks on civilian shipping and protect Indian-flagged vessels and Indian seafarers.
The spokesperson also outlined India’s diplomatic and consular efforts concerning Indian Merchant Navy Captain Ajay Pant, who is in judicial custody in the United Kingdom following the interception of the oil tanker MV Smyrtos by British forces on June 14 over alleged breaches of Russian oil sanctions.
Jaiswal said the Indian High Commission in London and the MEA in New Delhi were in regular contact with Pant’s lawyers, family members and British authorities to ensure his safety and well-being.
“We have been in touch with the lawyers of Captain Pant as well as his family. The High Commission has paid several visits to Captain Pant to check on his well-being. We have also facilitated the visit of his family members, his wife in particular. The last such visit by his wife took place on 9th of November. We have been in touch with the UK High Commission here as well as the UK Foreign Office in this particular matter. We are trying to do our best for his safety and well-being…”
The High Commission has facilitated consular visits, including a visit by Pant’s wife on November 9, and has taken up the matter with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. India is seeking to ensure that he receives appropriate consular assistance and legal representation ahead of his scheduled trial.
Jaiswal said India remained committed to protecting civilian shipping and seafarers amid regional instability affecting vital maritime routes.
India Says Engagement with US Lobbying Firms Dates Back to 1948
On questions surrounding India’s engagement with lobbying firms in Washington, Jaiswal said hiring such firms was a normal practice in the United States for diplomatic missions and other entities seeking to engage with the US administration, Congress and other stakeholders.
“FARA filings, it is a normal practice in the US for diplomatic missions and other entities to hire lobby forms for their engagement with the US administration, US congress and other stakeholders. Pass filing records give ample examples of US lobbyists in touch with administration officials. Such activities undertaken under the applicable laws of the US including FARA. India has been engaging lobbying firms in DC since 1948,” he said.
The remarks came amid questions about disclosures under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires certain agents of foreign principals engaged in specified political or other activities to periodically disclose their relationships, activities, receipts and disbursements.
The MEA had also addressed the issue through its official FactCheck account on November 7, stating that the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, had been engaging lobbying firms since 1948 and that details of such arrangements were available in the public domain.
The Ministry had referred to a filing by Mercury Public Affairs LLC, stating that the firm’s role was limited to disseminating a post on X. The clarification sought to address claims circulating on social media concerning lobbying activities and a post by US President Donald Trump on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
FARA, enacted in 1938, is administered by the US Department of Justice’s National Security Division. Its disclosure requirements are intended to provide transparency about individuals and organisations acting on behalf of foreign principals.
India-US Relations Enjoy Bipartisan Support, Says MEA
Asked about the results of the US midterm elections, Jaiswal declined to comment, describing the matter as an internal issue of the United States. He, however, underlined the bipartisan support enjoyed by India-US relations.
“It is an internal matter of the United States. I have no specific comment on them beyond underlining that India and the United States’ relationship enjoys bipartisan support in the United States. We continue to work to further strengthen our comprehensive global strategic partnership that we share with the US.”
His remarks came amid political developments in the United States following electoral gains by Democrats in key races and significant setbacks for the Republican Party. US President Donald Trump had also questioned the credibility of the electoral process in a social media post.
Reaffirming the importance of the bilateral relationship, Jaiswal said India would continue working with the United States to strengthen their comprehensive global strategic partnership.
(With ANI inputs)
