India says those staying ‘illegally’ will be dealt per law amid reports of deportation to Bangladesh

All foreign nationals staying illegally in India, whether from Bangladesh or any other country, will be dealt with as per law, the Ministry of External Affairs stated on Thursday.

The statement, by ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, came on a question about reports alleging that Indian authorities had forced persons, including Rohingya refugees and at least three individuals alleged to be Indians, into Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“We have a large number of Bangladeshi nationals here who are required to be deported,” Jaiswal said during a press briefing. “We have asked Bangladeshi side to verify their nationality.”

He added that there are more than 2,360 cases of persons “required to be deported”.

The ministry spokesperson noted that many among them have already served their jail terms, but their deportation has been delayed because their nationality verification has been pending since 2020.

“We would urge the Bangladeshi side that they must expedite the verification process,” Jaiswal said. “So that people who are required to be deported can be sent back to Bangladesh.”

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