More than 10,152 Indian nationals are imprisoned in 86 countries, either as undertrials or convicts, going by data that the govt has presented in the Lok Sabha. A significant number of them are detained in the Gulf and other Asian nations, with Saudi Arabia housing the highest number at 2,633, followed by the UAE with 2,518, and Nepal with 1,317.
The Union minister of state for external affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, shared this data with the Lower House in response to a parliamentary query from MP E T Mohammed Basheer.
The report also highlighted that 169 I ndians were jailed in the US, 288 in the UK, and there was a notable presence in European and other international prisons.
Consular support, Intervention
The Indian govt has claimed that it places high priority on the safety and well-being of its citizens detained abroad for actual or alleged violations of local laws . It claims to monitor these arrests and detentions closely throught its embassies and consulates.
Upon every detention overseas, diplomatic missions engage with local foreign offices and authorities promptly to secure consular access, verify nationality, and ensure prisoner welfare. Missions also work to uphold the legal rights of these det ainees.
Indian embassies provide them with various forms of assistance, including legal aid through a network of local lawyers where Indian communities have a significant presence. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), established in diplomatic posts world wide, offers financial aid to distressed Indian prisoners, including legal fees and repatriation support.
Release & repatriation
The Indian govt pursues the release and repatriation of detained citizens through diplomatic channels. Missions abroad engage with local authorities regularly to expedite judicial proceedings and advocate for am nesty or sentence commutation where possible.
India has prisoner transfer treaties with several nations, allowing convicted individuals to serve their sentences in their home country. These agreements facilitate the reintegration of detainees into Indian society while ensuring that legal procedures are upheld.
Smaller numbers of Indian prisoners are reported in countries across Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with at least one Indian detained in 16 different nations. MP Basheer also inquired about reports of a large number of Indians detained in Qatar since the Fifa World Cup.
However, specific details regarding these arrests were not included in the parliamentary response. The Indian govt continues to monitor these cases, advocating for fair treatment and timely legal proceedings for its citizens abroad.
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