Lalit Modi has surrendered his Indian passport and obtained Vanuatu citizenship, with the Indian MEA confirming ongoing legal pursuits against him. MEA also updated on Foreign Secretary Misri’s routine consultations in Russia, and Jaishankar’s recent discussions with Lavrov regarding bilateral cooperation and the Ukraine conflict.
Lalit Modi, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Premier League, has recently surrendered his Indian passport and acquired citizenship of Vanuatu. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India acknowledged that they are aware of his actions and are actively pursuing legal cases against him. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Modi’s application for passport surrender was submitted to the High Commission of India in London and that the situation is being examined per existing laws.
Modi has faced numerous allegations, including bid-rigging, money laundering, and violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. He left India in 2010 amidst investigations into financial irregularities and unapproved fund transfers.
In another topic, the MEA provided updates on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s ongoing visit to Russia for Foreign Office consultations. Jaiswal noted that such consultations involve discussions on a variety of aspects concerning political, economic, and energy partnerships between the two nations, emphasizing the routine nature of these diplomatic engagements.
Additionally, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Johannesburg. They addressed the progression of bilateral cooperation and discussed the current situation regarding the Ukraine conflict. Jaishankar expressed his satisfaction about the meeting and highlighted the need for ongoing communication between the two leaders.
In summary, Lalit Modi’s acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship and the surrendering of his Indian passport mark significant developments amid ongoing investigations into his alleged financial misconduct. Concurrently, the MEA is advancing its dialogues with Russia to enhance diplomatic relations further. The context of global conflicts, such as the situation in Ukraine, continues to inform India’s international relations efforts, as seen in the recent discussions involving Jaishankar and Lavrov.
Original Source: english.jagran.com
