Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (December 26, 2025)

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you to this last press conference of the year.

Is saal ke antim press varta mein aap sabhi logon ka bahut bahut swagat hai. To chaliye, daur shuru karte hain.

[Approximate Translation]:I welcome you to this last press conference of the year. Let's start.

Sidhant, WION: Hi sir, Sidhant from WION. Sir, my question is on the H-1B visa processes. They have come up with new processes including social media vetting as well. And that has led to a lot of delays impacting many Indian nationals as well. Your reaction to this?

Ashok: Hi sir, my name is Ashok. Sir, we are completing 2025. If you could provide the details related to extradition number from the different countries. As well as, as per the media reports that India has sent extradition request against Hussain Shattaf to UAE. Is there any details?

And if you have details regarding how many mortal remains we brought from the foreign soils. Thank you.

Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print: Thank you, sir. Keshav Padmanabhan from The Print. My first question is, can you give us a sense of what is the cooperation we have given to Australia with regards to the Bondi beach shootings, given the shooter's history? And if you may permit me, I just wanted to check on the status of the 16 Indians that were seized by Iran on a ship earlier this month. Whether consular access has been given to them yet, sir?

And if you can just enlighten us a little bit on this, I would be grateful. Thank you.

Rishabh, Times Now: Sir, good evening. Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, the anti-India rhetoric from Bangladesh continues. There have been anti-India protests as well. So, what is our view and has there been any diplomatic communication between New Delhi and Dhaka, given that both the High Commissioners here in Delhi and Dhaka were summoned by respective governments?

Akhilesh:Sir, recently two Hindu minorities have been killed in Bangladesh. And, you know, situation is getting aggravated every day. So, do you have any communication with Bangladesh's interim government?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, let's go one by one. First to Sidhant's question on H-1B visas. Yes, the Government of India has received several representations from Indian nationals who are facing delays or, you know, problems with the rescheduling of their visa appointments. While we do understand, as you also understand, that visa-related issues pertain to the sovereign domain of any country, we have flagged these issues and our concerns of our nationals to the U.S. side, both here in New Delhi and in Washington, D.C. And we hope that these delays and these disruptions will be addressed.

There are several people who have been stranded for an extended period of time because of scheduling or rescheduling issues of consular appointments. And these have also caused a lot of hardships to their families, to the family life that they have, as also to the education of their children, as you would understand.

And I think there was a communication from the U.S. government also that, with effect from December 15th, they have expanded their review process or processes that they have, which covers specialty occupation temporary H-1B visa applicants. And it also is applicable to the dependents who are covered under H-4 category visa. This particular change that they have introduced is applicable globally to all countries. On our side, the Government of India remains actively engaged with the U.S. side to address and minimize the disruptions that have been caused to our nationals.

Ashok, your question regarding extradition numbers. I don't have these factual details with me. But yes, some of these details are available in the public domain and you can have a look at that. The question about the extradition request on United Arab Emirates as well, I will come back to you as to what is the situation in regard to that particular matter as well.

Mortal remains, again, I will come back to you on this particular detail. But, I understand that these are available in public domain, especially if you go to the website of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. And if you look at the questions that have been answered in the past, including as recent as this one, you will get some of these details. But I will come back to you on the question.

Keshav, regarding your question. We are aware of the reports of the individuals responsible for the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. Australian authorities are in touch with our authorities on this matter.

In regard to Indian nationals who you have told have been apprehended, or they are in detention right now, I don't have an update for you. But we will come back to you as to where we stand on this particular matter. As and when there are issues in regard to Indian nationals, their detention or any other issue connected to them, our embassy duly takes it up with the concerned government. In this particular case, it happens to be Iranian authorities in Tehran. As to where we are, what sort of consular access has been given, etc., I will report back to you or I shall inform you of the latest development.

Rishabh, regarding anti-India rhetoric, you would have seen also in the last several days we have issued more than a couple of statements. We have rejected the false narrative that has been projected in Bangladesh. You would understand that law and order or security situation or the developments that are happening in Bangladesh is the responsibility of the government of Bangladesh. And to portray a narrative where things go in some other direction is completely false and we reject that.

Akhilesh, your question regarding minorities. We are all aware of the recent developments in Bangladesh. We have been closely following them. And as far as law and order situation is concerned, I have been apprising you from time to time as to what our position has been or should be and is today. The unremitting hostility against minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists at the hands of extremists is a matter of grave concern. We condemn the recent gruesome killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh, and expect that the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice. Over 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities, including cases of killings, arsons, land grab have been documented by independent sources during the tenure of the interim government. These incidents cannot be brushed aside as mere media exaggerations or dismissed as political violence.

Bangladesh mein alpsankhyakon jismein Hindu bhi hain, Isai bhi hain, Baudh dharm ke log bhi hain unke khilaf lagatar hinsa ho rahi hai. Ye gambhir chinta ka vishay hai. Haal hi mein Mymensingh mein ek Hindu yuva ki hatya hui, uski hum ghor ninda karte hain. Hum ye bhi umeed karte hain ki apradhiyon ko jald se jald katghare mein laya jayega. Aur aapko jaise bataya maine ki swatantra sutron ke anusar, is antarim sarkar ke karyakal mein 2900 aisi waardaat saamne aayi hai jo hatya se sambandhit hai ya aagjani se ho, ya zameen hadapne ke mamle se hon. Aur in ghatnaon ko media ki exaggeration keh kar ya rajnitik hinsa bata kar isko nazarandaz ya darkinaar nahi kiya ja sakta.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] In Bangladesh, minorities-including Hindus, Christians, and followers of Buddhism-are facing continuous violence. This is a matter of serious concern. Recently, a young Hindu man was killed in Mymensingh, and we strongly condemn this incident. We also expect that those responsible will be brought to justice at the earliest.

As I mentioned earlier, according to independent sources, during the tenure of the current interim government, around 2900 incidents have been reported including killings, arsons, or cases of land grabbing. Such incidents cannot be ignored or dismissed by labeling them as media exaggeration or by describing them merely as acts of political violence.

Yeshi Seli, Business India:This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. How does India view the return of Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh? He wants to come back to power, he has come after 17 years.

And secondly Myanmar is going to have its first phase of elections on the 28th. Has India sent any observers?

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI:This is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. Sir, an Indian origin student studying at Canada's University of Toronto, he was killed after he was fatally shot near the campus by unknown attackers. Do we know more about the incident?

Siddhant, CNN-News18: Hi Sir, I'm Siddhant from CNN-News18. Sir, a case of medical negligence has come to light in Canada where Prashant Sreekumar, a 44 year old Indian origin man died of suspected cardiac arrest while waiting for a treatment at Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Canada's Edmonton. Do you have any comments to offer on this incident? Thank you.

Kallol Bhattacharjee: Kallol from The Hindu sir. Sir, in a very hard hitting editorial, Prothom Alo in Dhaka has said that India is allowing Sheikh Hasina and other prominent leaders of the Awami League to carry out anti-Bangladesh activities while being in India. Do you have a remark on that sir?

And, also I haven't heard from the Indian authorities about the burning down of the two major newspaper offices in Dhaka that is Prothom Alo and Daily Star. A comment on that as well, Sir.

Megha Sharma, NewsX: Good afternoon sir, Megha from NewsX. There has been a second Hindu death that has also been reported yesterday from Bangladesh. The Yunus government has in fact come out and made a statement that this man in question was a terrorist. Now there has been no trial that has been held, he has not been convicted of any crime. Has the Indian government spoken to the Yunus government of what is happening, and what really happened on the ground, because he was also lynched. There was a group of locals who beat him to death.

Jayprakash, Dainik Jagran: Sir main Jayprakash Dainik Jagran se hoon. Bangladesh se hi related mera sawal hai sir ki wahan ke sarkar ne Awami League ko bhi pratibandhit kar diya hai, aur Bhartiya videsh mantralaya kehta aa raha hai ki wo nishpaksh chunav ki umeed karta hai. To aise mein is kadam ko aap kaise dekh rahe hain?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Jayprakash from Dainik Jagran. My question is also related to Bangladesh. The government there has imposed a ban on the Awami League, and the Ministry of External Affairs of India has consistently stated that it expects free and fair elections. In this context, how do you view this step?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Okay Yeshi, first on the return of Mr. Tarique Rahman. As you are aware, India supports free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh. This development must be seen in or should be seen in that context.

On Myanmar, we stand for democratic transition in the country. Elections are to be held. We support free, fair and inclusive development elections in which everybody participates. And India stands for peace and stability and return of normalcy in the country. In regard to your question about observers, I don't have an update on that, so I shall come back to you.

Ayushi, your question regarding an Indian student who died in Canada. We are in touch with his family. It's very unfortunate. We've convey our deepest condolences. We are also touch with local authorities as to what the circumstances etc. that led to the death. We'll come to know of those details more but we are in touch with local authorities in the matter. And as also our consulate is extending all possible support to the family of the person who died.

Ek Bhartiya chatra ka Canada mein shooting ke dauran hatya hui hai. Unke parivar bahut dukhad hai aur hum apni shok vyakt karte hain. Hamari jo consul aawas hai wahan unke parivar se lagatar sampark banaye huye hai is masle pe aur saath hi saath wahan jo sthaniya adhikari hain unse bhi wo is mamle mein batchit kar rahe hain taaki usko kya investigation hai, kya chhanbin hona chahiye us baat ko aur aage le jaya ja sake. Aur hamare consulate aawas ki taraf se jo bhi madad ho skta hai wo hum kr rhe hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] An Indian student was killed during a shooting incident in Canada. This is a deeply tragic matter, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Our Consulate is in continuous contact with the family in this regard, and at the same time, it is also engaging with the local authorities there so that the investigation, the necessary inquiries, and all related aspects of the case can be pursued further. From the side of our Consulate as well, all required assistance is being extended.

Siddhant, regarding the medical case that you referred. Yes, the person is of Indian origin but he happens to be a Canadian national. So, obviously the government of Canada should take responsibility in this particular matter.

Kallol, our point on Bangladesh has been very clear and consistent all throughout. India stands for strengthening our ties with people of Bangladesh. We favor peace and stability in Bangladesh and also our point of view on elections, you are aware. We stand for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections in Bangladesh, which is to be held in a peaceful atmosphere. So that is where we are. We stand for fair, free and inclusive and participatory elections in Bangladesh.

Megha in regard to your question about the second death that you talked about. On this particular issue our position is very clear as to how we look at security of minorities.

Jayprakash ji, jahan tak Bangladesh mein chunaav ka sawaal hai, jaise ki maine do minute pehle kaha, wahan par hum log chahte hain ki wahan swatantra chunaav ho, wahan nishpaksh chunaav ho aur wahan ek samaveshi chunaav ho. To yahi hamara paksh hai, jahan tak Bangladesh mein chunaav ke maamle ki baat hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Jaiprakash ji, as far as the question of elections in Bangladesh is concerned, as I said a couple of minutes ago, we want elections there to be free, fair, and inclusive. That is our position with regard to the issue of elections in Bangladesh.

Brahmaprakash Dubey, Zee News:Sir, Brahmaprakash Dubey Zee News se. Mera sawaal hai pichhle saptah ek video viral hua Lalit Modi aur Vijay Mallya ka, jismein woh keh rahe hain ki haan hum bhagode hain. Aise lag raha hai ki woh Bharatiya agencies ko jaanboojh ke intentionally chidhā rahe hain. Toh is maamle mein kya sthiti hai, kya Bharatiya jo agencies hain wahan usmein koi dheel di ja rahi hai ya phir kyon deri lag rahi hai? Isko lekar koi update hai kya?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, Brahmaprakash Dubey from Zee News. My question is that last week a video of Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya went viral, in which they are saying that yes, we are fugitives. It appears as if they are deliberately and intentionally provoking Indian agencies. So what is the current situation in this matter? Are Indian agencies being lenient in this case, or why is there a delay? Is there any update on this?

Umashankar Singh, Independent Journalist:Umashankar Singh, independent journalist. October mein ek jaankari aayi thi ki Russia ki taraf se ladne wala ek Bharatiya mool ka jo sainik hai, wo Ukraine mein yuddhabandi bana liya gaya hai. Abhi kuch din pehle uska ek doosra video aaya hai jismein usne apne Ukraine mein hone ki tasdeek ki hai. Tab Videsh Mantralaya ki taraf se ye kaha gaya tha ki hum is baat ki tasdeek kar rahe hain. Kya tasdeek ho gaya hai aur kya Ukraine ke saath hum swatantra roop se uski wapsi ki koi baat kar rahe hain, ya phir ye Russia aur Ukraine ke beech ke yuddhabandiyon ki adla-badli ke madde-nazar Russia ki taraf hi hum dekh rahe hain?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Umashankar Singh, independent journalist. In October, information had emerged that an Indian-origin soldier who was fighting on behalf of Russia had been taken prisoner in Ukraine. A few days ago, another video surfaced in which he confirmed his presence in Ukraine. At that time, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that it was verifying the matter. Has this verification now been completed? And are we independently engaging with Ukraine regarding his return, or are we looking at this primarily through Russia, keeping in mind the issue of prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine?

Ayanangsha Maitra: This is Ayanangsha Maitra. Sir, could you please update me with the facts and figures on non-oil trade with Iran as well as INSTC especially at a time India is all set to assume its BRICS presidency in which Iran is the newest member.

Neeraj, News 18 India: Sir, Neeraj hoon News 18 India se. Hamara sawaal hai ki Bharat ka ye paksh hai ki Bangladesh mein samaveshi chunaav hone chahiye, lekin Awami League ko anumati nahi mili hai. Toh kya Awami League ke bina chunaav samaveshi hoga? Aur agar Awami League ke bina hi chunaav hota hai, toh kya use Bharat samaveshi maanega?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, I am Neeraj from News18 India. Our question is that India's position is that elections in Bangladesh should be inclusive, but the Awami League is not being allowed to participate. So, will elections without the Awami League still be considered inclusive, and if elections are held without them, will India regard them as inclusive?

Sanjana Sharma, Sanmarg: Sanjana Sharma, Sanmarg se. Aajkal SIR process chal raha hai, usmein bahut saare avaidh Bangladeshi paaye gaye hain aur UP ne detention center bhi khole hain. Toh inko deport karne ka kya tareeka rahega, kya in sabko deport kiya jaayega?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sanjana Sharma, from Sanmarg. Currently, the SIR process is underway, and a large number of illegal Bangladeshis have been identified. Uttar Pradesh has also opened detention centers. So, what will be the procedure for deporting them? Will all of them be deported?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, pehle Brahm, dekhiye jo bhi bhagode hain, Bharat sarkar pratibaddh hai ki jo bhi yahan se bhaage hue log hain, hamare kanoon ke daayre se bhaage hue log hain, unko hum wapas laayenge. Is maamle mein kai deshon ke saath hamari baatcheet chal rahi hai aur main aapko aashvast karna chahta hoon ki hum is maamle par poori tarah se thos hain aur pratibaddh hain ki unko wapas laaya jaayega.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Okay. First, Brahm, look, regarding all the fugitives, the Government of India is committed to ensuring that those who have fled from here, and who are fugitives within the ambit of our laws, will be brought back. In this matter, discussions are ongoing with several countries, and I want to assure you that we are completely firm and committed to ensuring their return.

We remain fully committed that people who are fugitives, who are wanted by law in India, they return to the country. For this particular return, we are in talks with several governments, and processes are on. As you know in several of these cases there are several layers of legalities which are involved in it. But we remain committed to bring them back to the country, so that they can face trial before the courts here.

Umashankar ji, Ukraine wali jo baat hai, hum logon ne kai ek report dekhi hai, uske baad se hum logon ki baatcheet hui hai Ukraine ke sarkar se. Hum logon ne ye mudda uthaya hai. Unse yahan baatcheet hui hai aur unki raajdhaani mein baat hui hai. Us baatcheet ke baad unhone humse jo hamari aagrah thi ki aap pushti karein is baat ko, uski unhone abhi tak uspe koi comeback nahi diya, humko bataya nahi hai ki kya kuch aage kiya ja sakta hai ya kya is masle mein aur kya hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Umashankar ji, regarding the Ukraine matter, we have seen several reports, and since then, we have been in discussions with the Government of Ukraine. We raised this issue with them, both here and in their capital. Following these discussions, they have not yet responded to our request for confirmation. And we have not been informed about any further steps that can be taken, or what more can be done regarding this matter.

Ayanangsha, on Iran energy, I am not sure if we import any oil from Iran.

Ayanangsha Maitra:Non-oil.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Non-oil. Those details are available on Ministry of Commerce website so I would request you to have a look. These are facts and figures which are available in public domain, so you can have a look there. On International North South Transport Corridor, yes India has been supportive of it, and we want to strengthen our connectivity partnerships not just in regard to INSTC but in several other initiatives that we have taken, so that we can do more in terms of creating opportunities and strengthening our bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

Neeraj, samaveshi chunaav ka matlab hota hai samaveshi chunaav. Uska matlab ye hota hai ki jitne log hain wahan par har paksh ke log hain, us chunaav mein bhaag lein, taaki us chunaav ko majbooti mile aur loktantra ka naad aur majboot ho aur awaaz aur buland ho.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Neeraj, an inclusive election means an election that is inclusive. It means that people from all sides should be able to participate in that election, so that the election is strengthened and the foundations of democracy become stronger and its voice becomes louder.

I have already said that India stands for free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh. Obviously, that means that all the elements all the persuasions who are there should participate in that.

Aapka sawaal avaidh logon ko leke hai, Bangladesh se ho chahe kisi aur desh se ho. Uske liye hamare yahan ek kanoon bana hua hai, vidhi bana hua hai, aur usi vidhi aur kanoon ke tahat jo bhi kaarwai ki jaani hai, woh hogi.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Your question is regarding illegal immigrants, whether from Bangladesh or any other country. For this, we have laws and legal provisions in place. And any action that needs to be taken will be carried out strictly in accordance with those laws and provisions.

Gautam Lahiri:Thank you sir, Gautam Lahiri. Recently the External Affairs Ministry Standing Committee has submitted a report in the both houses of parliament on Bangladesh. And it has been mentioned clearly that present situation of Bangladesh is a security challenge for India. How MEA has taken up this issue with the concerned ministry, or anything that you are planning to do to combat this security challenge for India?

Srinjoy: Sir, continuing with the security challenge issue, just last month PNS Saif, a very major Pakistani warship was in Bangladesh on a goodwill visit. This comes after two major visits from Pakistan to Bangladesh. One by the Navy chief, one by senior government official, the Foreign Minister. We are hearing about more major visits coming up in the new year. Both in the military and in the civilian sphere. How do you see it?

Seema: I wanted to ask you whether the reports that India was in touch with the BNP leadership in London from 2018, is that true? And, did the BNP leader wait for India's clearance before he touched down on Dhaka? These are reports I have seen in the press.

Nivedita, ABP Live:Sir, Nivedita from ABP Live. India has made substantial investments in Bangladesh in power, energy and infrastructure sector, and also extended lines of credit. Any information on what is the status, and has India expressed concern?

Nayanima Basu, Independent Journalist: Thank you, sir. This is Nayanima, Independent Journalist. Wanted to understand, Ambassador Kwatra met US Ambassador in Mar-a-Lago. Had there been any conversation on the trade talks, and I believe it is almost year-end. Are the trade talks going to conclude? If you can give some status. Thank you.

Pranay Upadhyay, TV Today: Sir, Pranay Upadhyay from TV Today. What is the status of extradition request for Sheikh Hasina given by Bangladesh government? And did any back and forth happen or did we ask for any further clarification from the Bangladesh government on this issue?

Preeti, Independent Journalist:I am Preeti, independent journalist. Regarding Bangladesh, I just wanted to know in the context of the minority killings, and the absence of democratic government, is India mulling the revisiting of the financial assistance to Bangladesh or any kind of sanctions there?

Susheel Raghav, Jan Satta: Sir, main Susheel Raghav hoon, Jan Satta se. Sir, Bangladesh ki sthiti ko dekhte hue, Bharat mein kuch sangathanon ka manna hai ki, wahan par Sanyukt Rashtra ko hastakshep karna chahiye. Bharat ka is par kya rukh hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, I am Susheel Raghav from Jan Satta. Considering the situation in Bangladesh, some organizations in India believe that the United Nations should intervene there. What is India's position on this?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, on the questions related to Bangladesh. Well, while your questions are very welcome, let me also tell you that you must read all the statements that we have issued. If you look at those statements, then you will not ask me these questions in such detail, because, what we have issued and put out in public domain is self-explanatory.

India wants close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh, which is rooted in liberation struggle and strengthened through various development and people-to-people initiatives. We are in favor of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

Srinjoy on your question, yes, we closely follow all such developments and take up action as is required in our interest.

Seema, on BNP, before you walked in, I did comment that, as all of you are aware, that we support free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, and the return of BNP leader from London should be seen in that context.

Nivedita, again on Bangladesh, LOCs, Development Cooperation. I just answered your question that we want to have strong and vibrant ties with people of Bangladesh, and we look at your question and our development assistance in that regard.

Pranay, extradition pratyarpan ka jahan tak baat hai usmein koi badlav nahi hai. Jo humne pehle kaha tha, that is where it stands with regard to the request on extradition.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Pranay, regarding extradition, there is no change from what we had stated earlier. That is where it stands with regard to the request on extradition.

On financial assistance, yeah, with Bangladesh we have a broad based relationship. Obviously circumstances are little different now, but we stand for peace and stability in the country and we want to have strong ties with people of Bangladesh.

On the India-US bilateral trade agreement talks, both governments, the United States and India, they continue to remain engaged with a view to concluding a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement. You would have followed that the US Deputy Trade Representative, Mr. Rick Switzer, was recently in India on a formalization visit and he met several people here. For more details as to where the trade talks are, I would refer you to the Ministry of Commerce.

Abhishek Jha, Independent Journalist: Abhishek Jha, Independent Journalist. European Union Trade Commissioner, in a recent interview to a European magazine, has said that European leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa will be the chief guests on 26 January, Republic Day. And, also he is looking forward to having the India-EU FTA sealed during that visit. Your comments on that.

Raghvendra Verma, German television ZDF: Raghvendra Verma from German television ZDF. Sir, my question is regarding the reports on the long lost nuclear spying device from the US at Nanda Devi. Is something still going on? Is there some cooperation with the US to find it? some help being still sought? And is the radiation level being still monitored in Ganges?

Kallol Bhattacharjee: I want to repeat what Neeraj has asked before me about this inclusive and participatory election in Bangladesh. The question is, will India recognize the results of an election in Bangladesh which may not include the Awami League? Because, the interim government has ruled out the Awami League from that upcoming election in February 2026.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:India-EU FTA negotiations are progressing. The last round, that is the 14th round of negotiations were held in Brussels in October. Thereafter, a team did visit India. And this month, in the month of December, the US Trade Commissioner was also here. He had to discuss other outstanding issues. Both sides remain engaged and we will see how we can take this conversation that we are having on India-EU FTA talks forward.

I would also like to let you know that the Commerce Minister, as you would have seen, also had visited in the month of October. In return, the US Trade Commissioner visited India in this particular month along with other negotiators of the team. Both, as you are aware, India and the European Union, at the leaders' level, when we had the historic visit of the EU College of Commissioners in February this year, there was a commitment at the political level to conclude a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial FTA during the course of the year.

Raghavendra, on your questions, I don't have the details. But my understanding is that there is nothing of that sort, what you referred to, was found.

Kallol, our position on elections in Bangladesh is well known. Inclusive elections, free and fair elections means free, fair and inclusive elections.

With that, ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. Wish you a happy new year. See you in 2026.

New Delhi
December 26, 2025