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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
2 Indians killed, one missing in Niger: What is happening in the West African nation?
Two Indian migrant workers were killed in the West African country of Niger on Tuesday (July 15), and another was abducted after a terror attack on their worksite, officials said. One of those who died was Ganesh Karmali, 39, from Jharkhand's Bokaro district. An activist from Jharkhand who has been working on the repatriation of the bodies told The Indian Express that the other man had been identified only as Krishnan from a southern Indian state. The abducted worker has been identified as Ranjeet Singh, hailing from Jammu and Kashmir. 'The Chief Minister has expressed concern over the abduction of Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Ramban, in Niger. He urges the Hon'ble EAM @DrSJaishankar and #MEAIndia to urgently intervene to secure Ranjeet's safe and swift return,' a post on X by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's Office said on July 20. The Indian Embassy in Niger said the Mission, in the capital city of Niamey, was in touch with local authorities to repatriate the mortal remains and ensure the safe release of the abducted Indian. It also advised all Indians in Niger to maintain vigilance. How many Indians are known to be in the country, and what is the prevailing political situation there? We explain. According to the Union Ministry of External Affairs, around 150 Indians are currently in Niger. They are mostly engaged in the hospitality/service/business sectors. This presents a decline from 2023, when around 250 Indians were in the country. The Associated Press reported that foreigners are increasingly becoming targets of armed groups in Niger. Several have been kidnapped this year, including an Austrian woman who has lived in Niger as an aid worker for more than 20 years, a Swiss woman seized from her home in April and five Indian workers, also in April. In its modern history, Niger received independence from French colonial rule in 1960. For a majority of its post-independence era, it has seen single-party rule, military coups and limited space for the survival of democratic governments. Bazoum Mohamed's 2021 victory in the presidential election marked the country's first transition from one democratically elected president to another. But it was short-lived, and Niger again saw a military coup in 2023 led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who was officially sworn in as the president in March this year. He is supposed to serve for a transitional period of five years. Even before the recent political upheaval, the Sahel region (which Niger is a part of) was facing problems like climate change, poverty and terrorism. Lying to the south of the Sahara desert, it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, including countries such as Nigeria, Senegal and Chad. It is also among the youngest regions of the world, with about 64% of the population under the age of 25. In some cases, the rise of terrorism has been cited in many countries as a justification for coups. Niger's western neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, also saw coups in 2022 and 2020, respectively. The AP also cited the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project as noting that June was one of the country's deadliest months on record. Islamic State-backed fighters launched a major offensive across the Tillaberi and Dosso regions, the latter being where Indians were killed. More than 100 civilians were killed in the exchange of fire. What complicates the existing issues is the presence of international actors. In an article for Foreign Policy in 2020, Samuel Ramani, an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, wrote, 'Instead of taking constructive steps to address the array of challenges facing the Sahel, great powers and regional institutions are exacerbating the region's problems.' 'Due to their intense focus on geostrategic competition and willingness to equate authoritarianism with stability, great powers such as France, the United States, Russia, and China, have actually perpetuated conditions, such as corruption and fragile state institutions, that contribute to rising political violence in the Sahel,' he added. One example is the Russian Wagner Group, which has supplied mercenaries to the region. On March 23 last year, Malian and Wagner Group soldiers launched a five-day attack on a border town to 'root out Islamist militants, killing more than three hundred civilians', according to the Council on Foreign Relations. According to a BBC report, the regional bloc ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) also imposed 'crippling sanctions' on Niger after 2023, such as border closures and a no-fly zone for all commercial flights. However, in January, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger formally left the grouping. Historically, India and Niger had limited exchanges in terms of trade, but that has changed in recent years. The volume of trade has grown from around $95 million in 2018-19 to $203 million in 2022-23, and while Indian exports composed a major share seven years ago, of late the balance of trade is in Niger's favour. The main items being exported from Niger to India are Gum Arabic, Resins and other Vegetable saps and extracts, semi-precious stones, Oil seeds (Sesame), misc. grains, goat skins. etc. India has also extended Lines of Credit to Niger, for the construction of infrastructure and community projects. In 2020, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the country.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Omar seeks Centre's ‘urgent' intervention after Ramban resident's abduction in Niger
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday sought the central government's intervention in the release of a Ramban resident abducted by militants from Dosso region in the West African country of Niger. In a tweet on his official handle on X, Omar sought the 'urgent intervention' of the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure Ranjeet Singh's return. While Ranjeet was abducted, two other Indian migrants – including one from Jharkhand – were killed on July 15 after some gunmen attacked their worksite some 30 km from the country's capital, Niamey. 'The Chief Minister has expressed concern over the abduction of Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Ramban, in Niger. He urges the Hon'ble EAM @DrSJaishankar and #MEAIndia to urgently intervene to secure Ranjeet's safe and swift return,' a post on X by the Chief Minister's Office said. Omar's tweet followed a similar appeal by Ranjeet's wife Sheela Devi. A senior safety officer at an integrated power transmission and distribution company in Niger, Ranjeet was at the worksite during the attack. At home in remote Chakka Kundi village in Ramban, Ranjeet's old parents Mohan Lal and Sadhu Devi are waiting for him to return. Talking to the media during the day, Sheela Devi said that the family last talked with Ranjeet last Tuesday and there had been no contact since. 'I came to know about her husband's abduction through his friend the next day… I don't know what kind of situation my husband is in and I don't know what the local government is trying to do to secure his,' she said, adding that she had met Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan, who promised 'to do everything in his capacity'. In a post on X Friday, the Indian Embassy confirmed the 'heinous terror attack' on July 15. 'Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Mission in Niamey is in touch with local authorities to repatriate mortal remains and ensure the safe release of the abducted Indian. All Indians in Niger are advised to remain vigilant,' the post said.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Omar Abdullah seeks centre's intervention in securing release of abducted Indian in Niger
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday (July 20, 2025) sought the Centre's intervention in seeking the release of a resident of Ramban district, who was allegedly abducted by terrorists in the West African country of Niger a few days ago. Mr. Abdullah's request to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar comes a day after Rankeet Singh's wife made a fervent appeal for his release. "Chief Minister has expressed concern over the abduction of Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Ramban, in Niger. He urges the Hon'ble EAM @DrSJaishankar and @MEAIndia to urgently intervene to secure Ranjeet's safe and swift return," Abdullah's office posted on X. Chief Minister has expressed concern over the abduction of Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Ramban, in Niger. He urges the Hon'ble EAM @DrSJaishankar and @MEAIndia to urgently intervene to secure Ranjeet's safe and swift return. — Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) July 20, 2025 Sheela Devi, Rankeet's wife, on Saturday said that her husband works as a senior safety officer at Transrail Lighting Limited, an integrated power transmission and distribution company, in Niger and the family lost contact with him on July 15. According to the Indian embassy, two Indians were killed and one abducted following a terrorist attack in southwest Niger. "In a heinous terror attack on July 15 in Niger's Dosso region, two Indian nationals tragically lost their lives and one was abducted," the embassy said in a social media post on Friday. According to Niger media, unidentified gunmen attacked an army unit guarding a construction site in Dosso, about 130 kilometres from capital Niamey. "We talked on WhatsApp on July 15 and since then, I have not been able to contact him. I called his management and was initially told that there is no network at the work site," Sheela Devi said. She said she learned about her husband's abduction the next day through his friend, even as the management maintained that he had fled deep into the forest following the terror attack. "It has been four days since then. I believe that there is no effort to secure my husband's release from his captors," the mother of three children, said. She alleged that her repeated attempts to reach out to the company were being met with cold response. "I do not know what kind of situation my husband is in. I do not have any idea about the efforts of the local government," Sheela Devi said. She said she has also met Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan. "The deputy commissioner said he will do everything in his capacity, but I know the main work is that of our external affairs ministry. If they want, my husband will come home safely," she said.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
US Deported 1,563 Indians Since Trump Became President Again, Centre Confirms
Washington: More than 15,000 Indian nationals have been deported to India from the United States after US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, the Foreign Minister said on Thursday. Most of those deported have come to India on commercial flights, according to the government. "As many as 1563 Indian nationals have been deported from the US in the last six months. This figure pertains to the period from January 20 to July 15. Most have come via commercial flight," Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. VIDEO | Delhi: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) addresses the issue of deportations from the US during a press briefing. '1563 Indian nationals have been deported from the US in the last six months. This figure pertains to the period 20th January to 15th July. Most… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 17, 2025 The deportations are part of a crackdown ordered by the Trump administration, which had earlier claimed that Indians who were sent home had illegally entered the United States over the years. India has cooperated with the US as it maintained that it was the responsibility of countries to accept their citizens living abroad illegally, subject to verification of nationality. An estimated 725,000 Indian nationals live in the US illegally, making them the third largest ethnic group after the nationals from Mexico and El Salvador, according to Pew Research Centre data. Trump's Crackdown On Immigration Since taking the oath as US president for the second time, Trump has made good on his defining political promise to crack down on immigration and ordered mass deportations. The US has also warned visa holders that their screening continues even after a visa was granted to them, and any misstep on their part can lead to revocation. On Thursday, the US Embassy in India warned that committing assault, theft, or burglary in the United States could lead to a visa being revoked. The advisory comes after an Indian woman was caught stealing items worth Rs 1.1 lakh at a Target store in Illinois. As a word of caution, the advisory further stated that such an act - robbery - could make one ineligible for future US visas, preventing re-entry into the US. Therefore, the embassy urged foreign visitors to adhere to law and order.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Sensitive matter, offering all assistance': MEA on Nimisha Priya's death sentence in Yemen
India on Thursday said it is in touch with local authorities in Yemen as well as with certain friendly nations in finding a solution to the case of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse on death row. Priya's execution was scheduled for July 16 but it was postponed. The nurse, hailing from Kollengode in Kerala's Palakkad district, has been found guilty of murdering a Yemeni citizen in July 2017. 'This is a sensitive matter. The Government of India has been providing all possible assistance,' external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing. 'We have provided legal assistance and appointed a lawyer to assist the family. We have also arranged regular consular visits and been in constant touch with the local authorities and the family members to resolve the issue,' he said. This included concerted efforts in recent days to seek more time for the family of Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party, he said. 'We continue to closely follow the matter and render all possible assistance. We are also in touch with some friendly governments,' Jaiswal said. VIDEO | Delhi: Responding to a question on the case of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia), while addressing a press briefing, said: 'This is a sensitive matter. The Government of India has been providing all possible assistance. We have… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 17, 2025 Priya, a nurse from Palakkad in Kerala, was convicted of murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017. She was arrested while attempting to flee Yemen and sentenced to death by a trial court in 2018—a verdict later upheld by Yemen's Supreme Court. In 2023, the country's President Rashad al-Alimi gave his formal approval for the execution order, which had been pending with the prosecutor since January 2024. Priya had moved to Yemen in 2008 after qualifying as a nurse. In 2011, she returned briefly to Kerala to marry Tomy Thomas, before going back to Yemen with aspirations of starting a medical clinic. However, under Yemeni law, foreign nationals can only open clinics in partnership with a local. That's when she and her husband approached Talal Abdo Mahdi, a frequent visitor at the clinic where she was employed, to serve as their local partner. According to Priya's family, Mahdi later refused to share the clinic's income and allegedly forged documents to claim Priya as his wife—while her husband remained in Kerala. They allege she was subjected to physical and mental abuse and prevented from leaving the country, as Mahdi had taken away her passport and travel papers. In a desperate attempt to retrieve her documents, Priya, allegedly assisted by another nurse, Hannan, reportedly tried to sedate Mahdi. However, the dosage proved fatal. Panicked, the two women are said to have dismembered the body and disposed of it in a water tank. Both were subsequently arrested.
