21 Indians detained in China; India seeks Consular access

Beijing/New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Twenty-one Indians have
been detained in the Shenzhen region of China for alleged
diamond smuggling.

The detentions were made on Friday last and the Chinese
authorities are moving to press charges of diamond smuggling
against them, sources said.
Indian Embassy in Beijing immediately took up the matter
with the Chinese government and sought Consular access to
them, they said.
The Consular access has been granted fo Wednesday.
In New Delhi, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said
a report has been sought from the Embassy in Beijing.
"I am aware that some Indians have been taken into
custody by the Chinese authorities in Shenzhen. I have asked
our ambassador in Beijing for factual report on this matter,"
she said.
Rao said Ambassador S Jaishankar "is in touch with the
Indian Consular General in Guangzhou, which covers Shenzhen
and we are awaiting the full facts from the Ambassador." PTI
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