The Indian government reported that 10,152 nationals are imprisoned abroad, with 25 facing death sentences in the UAE. The government emphasizes its commitment to their welfare, assisting with legal remedies. Recent executions of Indians have occurred primarily in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Mr. Singh noted no Indians have been executed in the UAE from 2020 to 2024, based on informal channels.
The Indian government has disclosed that there are currently 25 Indian nationals sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although their executions have not yet been executed. This information was provided by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
According to Mr. Singh, there are a total of 10,152 Indian nationals, including undertrials, detained in foreign jails. He emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring the safety and welfare of these individuals abroad, stating that the government prioritizes the security and well-being of all Indian nationals, especially those incarcerated in foreign prisons.
The data presented indicates that a considerable number of Indian citizens face death sentences in multiple nations: 25 in the UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait, and one each in Indonesia, Qatar, the United States, and Yemen. This highlights the serious legal situations many Indians confront overseas.
Furthermore, the Indian government has been actively assisting nationals sentenced to death, offering support for legal remedial actions such as appeals and mercy petitions. Mr. Singh elaborated, “Indian Missions/Posts abroad provide all possible assistance to Indian nationals who have been sentenced, including with death sentences by the foreign courts.”
In discussing recent executions, Mr. Singh noted incidents where Indian nationals have been executed or sentenced to capital punishment over the past five years in Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In 2023, five Indians were executed in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, alongside another one in Malaysia, with three more executed in 2024 in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and one in Zimbabwe.
Regarding the UAE, Mr. Singh mentioned the lack of formal data on executions, stating that informal sources suggest no Indians have been executed between 2020 and 2024. “No data is available as the same is not shared by the UAE authorities. As per the informal information available with the Mission, no Indians have been executed from 2020 to 2024,” he confirmed.
The Indian government has presented alarming statistics regarding the number of Indian nationals imprisoned abroad, with 10,152 individuals detained. Among them, a significant count faces death sentences in various countries, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The government’s proactive measures to assist these prisoners and address their legal challenges underscore its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of Indian citizens internationally. Furthermore, the absence of executions in the UAE over recent years reflects a complex diplomatic landscape.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
