The Indian government has disclosed that 10,152 Indian nationals are imprisoned abroad, with 25 on death row in the UAE. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh outlined efforts to assist these individuals legally and reported on executions over the past five years in various countries. Notably, no executions of Indians in the UAE from 2020 to 2024 have been confirmed, based on informal sources.
According to the Indian government, there are currently 10,152 Indian nationals imprisoned in foreign jails, including undertrials. Of these, 25 individuals have been sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as reported by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a reply during the Rajya Sabha session. The government’s priority remains the safety and well-being of Indian citizens abroad.
The data provided by Mr. Singh details death sentences awarded to Indian nationals in several countries: 25 in the UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait, and one each in Indonesia, Qatar, the US, and Yemen. The government is actively assisting these nationals in exploring legal remedies, including the filing of appeals and mercy petitions if applicable.
Mr. Singh highlighted that Indian Missions abroad are dedicated to supporting nationals facing death sentences. They offer assistance by visiting jails, providing consular access, and coordinating with relevant authorities. Furthermore, the report addressed queries regarding executions of Indian nationals over the past five years, revealing such incidents in Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
In 2024, three Indians were executed in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, while one was executed in Zimbabwe. In 2023, there were similar incidents with five executions across Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and one in Malaysia. However, Mr. Singh stated that informal information indicates no Indian executions have taken place within the UAE from 2020 to 2024.
The lack of official statistics from UAE authorities has made it challenging to provide definitive data, but the informal reports available suggest that there have been no executions of Indian nationals during this period.
The Indian government has reported the imprisonment of over 10,000 Indian nationals in foreign jails, highlighting a concerning number of death sentences, particularly in the UAE. Efforts are ongoing to provide legal assistance to those sentenced to death, while also addressing tragic instances of executions that have occurred in various countries. The emphasis remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian citizens abroad, with continued support from Indian Missions and embassies.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
