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India unlikely to grant asylum to Snowden

Former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden. File Pic
Former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden. File Pic

Indian government is unlikely to provide asylum to former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden, who is on a run and currently sheltered in transit zone of Moscow airport.

New Delhi, July 2/Nationalturk – With former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden reportedly desiring to seek asylum in many countries including India, Indian government is unlikely to provide asylum to him.

“India is not an open house for asylums since we have a very careful and objective policy in this regard,” Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters at Brunei, where he is attending ASEAN’s Foreign Ministers meeting.

He said he had no knowledge that Snowden has requested asylum in India. “I wouldn’t want to comment on something that is, maybe, just hearsay”.

Indian Foreign minister’s comments came hours after whistle-blower website WikiLeaks claimed that Snowden, who is on a run, has applied for political asylum in 20 countries, including India.

India won’t like to hurt ties with US

Sources said Indian government is unlikely to consider Snowden’s request for asylum. “India has got good relations with US and country would not like to hurt ties with America by providing asylum to Snowden”.

Snowden,30, worked for NSA of United States before fleeing to Hong Kong last month with laptops full of confidential information. He leaked information including classified documents, which exposed a systematic and large-scale surveillance of phone and internet communications by NSA around the world.

“Indian embassy in US was among 38 diplomatic missions, which were being spied upon by American intelligence agencies,” reveals information leaked by Snowden.

Snowden has sought asylum in 20 countries

Snowden, who faces espionage charges in United States, is currently sheltered in the transit zone of Moscow airport.

He has reportedly sought asylum in 20 countries including Ecuador, Iceland, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italian, Ireland, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Spain, Swiss Confederation, Venezuela.

Media reports said these asylum requests on behalf of Snowden have been filed by Sarah Harrison, the legal advisor of WikiLeaks.

US has warned countries not to give asylum to Snowden as he is wanted in the country on charges of espionage and leaking classified information.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News

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