International

India deeply values historic ties, says PM Modi as he embarks on two-day visit to Saudi Arabia

PM Modi arrives in Bhutan for two-day visit

Thimphu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhutan Tuesday for a two-day visit during which he will join the 70th birthday celebrations of the fourth king of the Himalayan nation Jigme Singye Wangchuck. He was received at the Paro airport by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering...

BBC says Trump threatened legal action over edited speech

1 week ago

London: The BBC reported Monday that US President Donald Trump has sent a letter threatening legal action over the way a speech he made was edited in a documentary aired by the British broadcaster. Two of the BBC's most senior executives resigned Sunday over accusations...

The Indian Embassy in Thailand said on Monday that 197 Indian nationals have been repatriated to India from Mae Sot by two special flights operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Indian nationals deported on Monday were detained in Mae Sot after they had entered Thailand from Myanmar's Myawaddy, where they were allegedly working in the cyber scam centres. The Embassy stated that Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Mae Sot to oversee the operation. During his meeting with India's Ambassador to Thailand Nagesh Singh, Charnvirakul conveyed Thailand's appreciation for the Indian Government's efforts in the prompt repatriation of detainees from Mae Sot and assured of continued cooperation from Thai authorities in facilitating the repatriation of Indian nationals released from scam-centres in Myanmar. "Today, 197 Indian nationals have been repatriated to India from Mae Sot, Thailand, by two special flights operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). HE Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand, visited Mae Sot this afternoon to oversee this operation. Mr Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand, met him at the airport. The Prime Minister conveyed Thailand’s deep appreciation for the Government of India’s efforts in prompt repatriation of the detainees from Mae Sot, and assured of continued cooperation from Thai authorities in facilitating repatriation of Indian nationals released from scam-centres in Myanmar," the Embassy of India in Thailand shared on X. "Both sides reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to combating transnational crimes, including cyber scams and human trafficking in the region, and to enhance cooperation among the relevant agencies in both countries for this purpose. The Indian nationals deported today were detained in Mae Sot after they had recently crossed into Thailand from Myawaddy, Myanmar, where they were allegedly working in the cyber scam centres. They were detained by Thai authorities for violation of Thai immigration laws when they had entered the country illegally," it added. The Embassy advised Indian nationals to verify the credentials of foreign employers and check the antecedents of recruiting agents and firms before taking up job offers abroad. In the statement, the Indian Embassy in Thailand stated, "Embassy of India, Bangkok and Consulate of India in Chiang Mai, in close coordination with various agencies of the Royal Thai Government, facilitated this repatriation. This is part of the Government of India’s sustained efforts to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals while in distress overseas." "Indian nationals are strongly advised to verify the credentials of foreign employers and check the antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before taking up job offers overseas. Further, visa-free entry into Thailand for Indian passport holders is meant for tourism and short business purposes only, and should not be misused for taking up employment in Thailand," it added. On November 7, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that 270 Indians were repatriated from Thailand’s Mae Sot city to India by two special IAF flights on Thursday and urged Indian nationals to stay away from job scam centres in Myanmar. Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on November 7, Jaiswal said that the individuals had entered Thailand illegally after a crackdown on the centres in Myanmar. He added that, once the necessary procedures in Thailand were completed and their documents verified by the Indian authorities, they were flown back to India. "270 Indian nationals returned yesterday; they were brought back from Mae Sot in Thailand on two special aircraft. When there was a crackdown in Myanmar in some of those scam centres, they illegally came into Thailand, and the Thai authorities thereafter undertook certain processes that were required on their side. After that, once we verified the documents of all these people and made sure they were Indian nationals, they were flown to India yesterday. I understand that there are some more Indian nationals who are there right now in Thailand, and they will also be coming back to India in a few days to India. I shall keep you updated on the number, etc." Jaiswal stated. “Last two years, several agencies of the Government of India have constantly put out travel advisories to Indian nationals to stay away from these scam centres because the price one has to pay is very high. People go there, and they are met with violence and all sorts of exploitation that happen there. We once again urge all Indian nationals to stay away from such job offers and also to verify the agencies, whether Indian or outside, that offer these jobs. It comes with a lot of risk, and I would once again emphasise that our nationals should take note of our advisories or what we suggest for them,” he stressed.

197 Indians brought back from Thailand amid cyber scam suspicion

1 week ago

Bangkok: The Indian Embassy in Thailand said Monday that 197 Indian nationals have been repatriated to India from Mae Sot by two special flights operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Indian nationals deported Monday were detained in Mae Sot after they had entered...

Russia, India to sign labour mobility agreement during Putin’s visit in December

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Moscow: India and Russia are expected to sign a bilateral mobility agreement during President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi in the first week of December. This accord will establish a framework for legal migration, protection of workers' rights and expansion of skilled Indian manpower...

BBC issues apology for ‘error of judgment’, resignations follow Trump edit row

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London: The BBC was facing a leadership crisis and mounting political pressure Monday after its top executive and its head of news both quit over the editing of a speech by US President Donald Trump. The resignation of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and news chief...

Modi visit to Bhutan renews ‘spiritual diplomacy’ and strategic partnership

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Thimphu: The shared spiritual and cultural heritage of Buddhism between India and Bhutan will be in focus once again as Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays a two-day State visit to the neighbouring nation starting Tuesday. PM Modi's visit coincides with the exposition of the Sacred...

Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu expresses gratitude to India for continued support

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Male: Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu called on Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu Monday as the leader of the Indian Ocean nation expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government of India for their continuous, longstanding and generous support. Maldives...

Two-thirds of Pakistan attacks now centred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: HRCP

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Islamabad: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) voiced concern over the worsening security and human rights situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting a situation of fear, lawlessness and erosion of civilian authorities in the province, local media reported Monday. In its latest fact-finding report titled...

Gaza health officials say Israel returns bodies of 15 Palestinians

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Deir Al-Balah: Gaza health officials say they have received the bodies of 15 Palestinians from Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry said the Red Cross handed over the bodies Monday, raising the total number received so far to 315. The return marks the latest exchange of...

Indian student dies in US after suffering from severe cough, chest pain

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New York: A 23-year-old Indian student, who graduated recently and was looking for a job, has died after reportedly being sick with a severe cough and chest pain. Rajyalakshmi Yarlagadda, alias Raji, from Andhra Pradesh graduated recently from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, according to...