In a weekly media briefing, India’s MEA dismissed Ukraine’s claims of political motivation in the arrest of six of its citizens, calling it a straightforward legal proceeding. Government agencies are meticulously probing the matter, with consular access requests duly noted.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was direct: ‘Everyone is aware of this case, including us. It’s a legal issue being handled by the appropriate agencies.’ He acknowledged the Ukrainian embassy’s plea for consular visits, promising compliance with applicable laws.
The detainees, charged under UAPA alongside an American, face serious accusations of unlawful activities. Delhi’s NIA court has ordered their custody for 11 days, fueling speculation about terror links.
Contrasting sharply, the Ukrainian embassy alleges the arrests are orchestrated, possibly influenced by Russian-sourced information. ‘Publicly available details, including media reports, raise serious concerns about the circumstances, which appear premeditated and politically driven,’ it noted.
Rejecting terror support charges outright, the embassy highlighted Ukraine’s frontline fight against Russian terror. It pledged full cooperation via existing India-Ukraine pacts on criminal matters and called for procedural fairness and rights protection under global standards.
This unfolding saga tests bilateral relations, with India prioritizing judicial processes over diplomatic pressures. As probes deepen, clarity on the allegations could reshape perceptions and partnerships in a geopolitically charged environment.