New Delhi [India], March 19 : Chet Greene, the Foreign Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, informed on Wednesday that Mehul Choksi, the fugitive Indian businessman, is currently not on the island.
Greene stated that Choksi had left the island for medical attention abroad while emphasising that Choksi remains a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.
"Mehul Choksi is not on the island. I am told he left Antigua for medical attention abroad. He remains a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda," Greene told ANI.
Mehul Choksi is a fugitive Indian businessman who holds the citizenship of Antigua & Barbuda. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is wanted by Indian authorities in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. The duo is alleged to have defrauded the bank of more than Rs 14,000 crore.
Greene highlighted that the Indian and Antiguan governments are working together and respecting the rule of law and democratic traditions.
"Your Government and my Government are working together on this matter. We have some traditions in democracy. We both respect the rule of law. The matter of Mehul Choksi has been subjected to legal review. Until such time it is reviewed and determined, there is nothing I can say, or any of us can say or do...," said Greene.
Speaking to ANI about the bilateral ties between the two countries, Foreign Minister Greene said, "The relations between Antigua and Barbuda and India has really grown by leaps and bounds. My own Prime Minister Gaston Brown and your Prime Minister Modi have built a strong platform of friendship.
He added, "We've seen strong bilateral relations. During the pandemic, it was India, AstraZeneca, who gifted us with vaccines, and you know it is perhaps one of the areas of cooperation that stands out most because it really meant saving lives."
Foreign Minister Greene lauded India's efforts in sharing developmental initiatives with various countries. He said, "India's willingness to share its development with countries of Latin America and the Caribbean is certainly beyond doubt. My being here, thanks to the government of India, is clearly an indication of India's willingness to assist countries of the Caribbean in our own development trajectory."
He highlighted areas of cooperation between the two and said, "We look at areas of education and innovation where we can partner with Indian universities to develop some of the more important industries and sectors of our economy."
Speaking about India's leadership in the global arena, Foreign Minister Greene said, "India's leadership in the global South is undoubted. Prime Minister Modi has been a champion for the global South, a champion of small island states, and so in those councils where we do not have a voice or presence, we do count on Prime Minister Modi as an advocate, and I think his advocacy has been outstanding. I want to thank him profusely and publicly for the leadership he provided to Global South."