Lalit Modi surrenders his Indian passport and acquires Vanuatu citizenship as confirmed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Modi faces serious legal issues including money laundering. Meanwhile, India’s Foreign Secretary is in Moscow for routine consultations with Russia focusing on political and economic relations. Recent bilateral discussions between Jaishankar and Lavrov highlight ongoing cooperation amidst geopolitical tensions.
Lalit Modi, the former IPL chief, has officially acquired citizenship of Vanuatu and has surrendered his Indian passport, confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that they are pursuing all legal cases against Modi and are aware of his actions regarding his passport surrender in London’s High Commission. They will assess his case according to existing legal procedures.
Modi, who previously held the position of vice-president of the BCCI, faces allegations including bid-rigging, money laundering, and breaches of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). He departed India in 2010 amidst investigations into financial misconduct involving unauthorized fund transfers.
In other news, the MEA provided updates on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s ongoing consultations in Moscow, aimed at discussing various aspects of Indo-Russian relations, including politics and economic matters. The consultations are routine, following a previous meeting in Delhi at the end of 2023, with more details expected post-meeting.
Additionally, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Johannesburg to discuss bilateral cooperation and the Ukraine conflict. Jaishankar expressed optimism about ongoing discussions, emphasizing the importance of remaining in touch as the situation develops in Ukraine and Russia.
Lalit Modi’s acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship and the surrender of his Indian passport underscore significant developments amid legal proceedings against him. Additionally, ongoing diplomatic consultations between India and Russia illustrate a commitment to maintaining robust bilateral ties. The meetings reflect a continuous evaluation of geopolitical challenges, particularly concerning the Ukraine conflict.
Original Source: english.jagran.com
