Over 10,000 Indian nationals lodged in foreign jails, 49 awarded death sentence: Govt

Over 10,000 Indian nationals are currently lodged in jails across various countries, with 49 facing the death penalty, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The highest number, 2,633 Indians, are incarcerated in Saudi Arabia, followed closely by 2,518 in the United Arab Emirates.

"As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign prisons at present is 10,152. However, due to strong privacy laws prevailing in many countries, the local authorities do not share information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure of such information. Even countries which share



information do not generally provide detailed information about the foreign nationals imprisoned," Minister of State in the External Affairs Ministry Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written response to a question by the ministry said in response to the question by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP Abdul Wahab.

Singh further said that the government attaches high priority to the safety, security, and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries, including those in foreign jails. Indian missions/posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor the incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail in foreign countries for violation or alleged violation of local laws.