Twenty-five Indian nationals are sentenced to death in the UAE, as reported by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. A total of 10,152 Indian prisoners are held in foreign jails, with various forms of support provided by Indian diplomatic missions. No executions of Indian nationals have been confirmed in the UAE from 2020 to 2024, despite executions in other countries.
The Indian government has confirmed that 25 nationals are currently sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although these sentences have yet to be executed. This information was disclosed by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh during a recent session in the Rajya Sabha, where he addressed queries regarding Indian citizens imprisoned abroad and those facing capital punishment.
According to Minister Singh, the total number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials in foreign prisons, stands at 10,152. He reaffirmed that the government’s mandate is to prioritize the safety and well-being of Indian nationals overseas, including those incarcerated in foreign jails. Singh detailed that there are also 11 Indians facing death sentences in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait, and one each in Indonesia, Qatar, the United States, and Yemen, all of whom have not yet had their sentences carried out.
Singh further indicated that Indian Missions abroad provide comprehensive assistance to nationals facing death sentences, which includes ensuring consular access, visiting jails, and liaising with relevant authorities regarding their cases. He articulated that these missions support the accused in exploring various legal avenues, including appeals and mercy petitions.
Responding to a separate inquiry, Singh reported that executions of Indian nationals have taken place in Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia over the last five years. Specifically, three Indians were executed in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in 2024, while one execution occurred in Zimbabwe. In 2023, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia conducted five executions each and Malaysia executed one Indian national. Nevertheless, the UAE reportedly does not officially disclose execution data, but informal sources indicate that no Indians have been executed there from 2020 to 2024.
In summary, the Indian government has disclosed that 25 nationals are sentenced to death in the UAE, along with numerous others across different countries. The government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Indian nationals abroad remains pronounced, with regular assistance provided through its diplomatic missions. While executions have occurred in some nations, the UAE has not reported any executions of Indian citizens in recent years.
Original Source: www.cnbctv18.com
