Ukraine Demands Release of Nationals Detained in India Amid Security Concerns
Diplomatic Strain Over Arrests
New Delhi, Mar 19: Tensions have escalated diplomatically as Oleksandr Polishchuk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, has called for the swift release of six Ukrainian citizens detained by Indian authorities on charges of illegal entry and potential security threats.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted the arrests following a security alert regarding the movement of individuals deemed 'persons of interest' who allegedly crossed into India via the porous Mizoram-Myanmar border and were trying to exit through major airports.
Polishchuk has vehemently opposed the arrests, asserting that there is no concrete evidence indicating any illegal actions by the detained Ukrainians.
He also expressed dissatisfaction over the perceived lack of communication from Indian officials concerning the arrests.
The detained individuals include Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor, who were apprehended at airports in Delhi and Lucknow while in transit.
Additionally, a US national, Matthew Aaron VanDyke, an international security analyst, was also arrested at Kolkata airport.
Indian security agencies have indicated that initial investigations point to the group possibly being involved in training armed factions in Myanmar, including the People’s Defence Force (PDF), which is classified as a terrorist organization by Myanmar's military government.
Authorities suspect that the group may be part of a larger network that allegedly facilitates arms supplies, combat training, and drone movements to ethnic armed groups in the region.
The NIA has initiated a case against all seven individuals and is investigating a suspected conspiracy with implications for cross-border security.
Officials noted that the accused entered India illegally through Mizoram and were intercepted while attempting to leave the country.
While the Ukrainian ambassador has dismissed the allegations and requested consular assistance, the US Embassy has confirmed the detention of its citizen but refrained from further comments due to privacy issues.
This incident has raised alarms regarding security vulnerabilities along India’s northeastern border. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma previously highlighted the state's increasing use as a transit point for foreign nationals heading into Myanmar, raising concerns about security and cross-border militant activities.
In response, authorities have heightened surveillance along the Indo-Myanmar border, with the government advancing plans to erect a fence along the entire stretch and tighten movement regulations.
The seven detainees were presented in court on March 14 and have been remanded to NIA custody until March 27, with investigations continuing.