US National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden, an analyst with a US defence contractor, is pictured during an interview with the Guardian in his hotel room in Hong Kong June 9, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
NEW DELHI: India said Tuesday that it had refused an asylum request from fugitive US intelligence analyst Edward Snowden, joining Poland in publicly rebuffing him as he seeks an exit from a Moscow airport.
"Our embassy in Moscow did receive a communication dated 30 June from Mr Edward Snowden. That communication did contain a request for asylum," foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told AFP.
"We have carefully examined the request. Following that examination we have concluded that we see no reason to accede to the request," he added.
Transparency campaign group Wikileaks said Monday that Snowden had submitted asylum requests to 21 nations including India, Russia, China and Brazil as well as his preferred destinations Ecuador and Iceland.
The Kremlin announced Tuesday that he had abandoned his bid to stay in Russia after learning of demands from President Putin that he stop leaking intelligence reports.
Snowden, whose passport has been revoked by the US, has been holed up and in legal limbo in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport for more than a week trying to find a safe haven.
Elsewhere in Asia, a spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry Hua Chunying said Beijing had been "following the developments" but declined to comment further.
"I've seen some reports of his petition for political asylum in some countries but I have no information about that," Hua said.
The US wants Snowden, who has leaked information about the National Security Agency's vast Internet and phone surveillance programmes, extradited so he can be put on trial.
India, which has moved closer to the United States since signing a landmark nuclear power pact in 2008, has also defended Washington's surveillance programmes.
"Some of the information they got out of their scrutiny, they were able to use it to prevent serious terrorist attacks in several countries," Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters in Brunei in a broadcast interview.
"This is not scrutiny and access to actual messages. It is only computer analysis of patterns of calls and emails that are being sent... it is not actually snooping on the content of anyone's messages or conversations," he added.
Norway, Austria and Poland were among the first to confirm they had received asylum requests from Snowden. Warsaw immediately rejected the request.
COMMENTS (56)
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@Dear Prabhjyot Singh Madan and thor: It has been of some value to clear-up minor confusions in regard to India and Mr. Snowden. In between cookery and history I tend to admit that Mr. Snowden's modus operandi does have me somewhat intrigued. In regard to Mr. Snowden being a CIA agent gone rogue, I always thought that being a rogue was the main qualification for being a CIA/MI5/RAW/MOSSAD agent. However, if the situation ever presents itself we must get together for an Indian lunch and between a curry recipe and history we could discuss all aspects of the Snowden/Indian affair in minuatiae.
@Sexton Blake: Mr Blake, I love gourmet dishes. India has lots of faces so it is impossible to define my India. Snowden is a cia agent gone rogue. What's your favourite dish btw. I adore kebabs. Have a nice day.
@Sexton Blake: I was talking about last 66 years.India has stood for Non-alignment, Dalai Lama, did not sign NPT, did trade with Iran.
@thor: I thought we were discussing cookery, and you change the subject to history. Very confusing. Perhaps we should get our analogies right and stick with current events and Mr. Snowden, or do the many facets of India include history and cookery when discussing modern events.? In any event, if you wish to get on track and make the discussion relevant Prbhjyot Sing Madan was discussing Tandoori Chicken and hamburgers. What part of India's 3,000 year, or so, history did you have in mind, and would it be relevant?
@Sexton Blake: couple of things.. Mr. Snowden is no Dalai Lama. India has many facets,you have not got the history right.
@Prabhjyot Singh Madan: I would have thought that the Dalai Lama was China's problem. China is almost as powerful as the US if not more, but that did not stop India treating the Dalai Lama as a revered guest. Mr. Snowden is one of the bravest men the world has known, but India is treating him dreadfully. Obviously, India is part of the world global hegemonic system, albeit as a junior partner. If you wish to use the analogy of cooking to enforce your points it could well be that Indian International Diplomacy is a mixture of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, fried rice, curries and hamburgers. India would do well to place emphasis on curries rather than hamburgers.
Snowden is America's problem. International diplomacy is not tandoori chicken mixed with McDonald's burger. India's interest is paramount and being a Gandhi does not serve our interests. Dalai lama is more like our revered guest not a fugitive. He is a beacon of hope in our disturbed part of the world called south Asia. Cheerio, rab rakha
India is concerned about its relationship with the US bully, hence the rejection. I don't know if the several countries Snowden applied to includes Pakistan, but Pakistan should itself offer him asylum as this would improve Pakistan's image immensely and consolidate it's anti-US stance. It would show to the world that Pakistan stands for freedom and protection.
@Dr. Dang The fellow up there is right about you and other folks bashing water bottle here. Anybody who doesn't confirm to your point of view automatically becomes an "armchair rebel (or worse a closet terrorist) with a dial up internet connection". Water bottle, if you may have seen his other postings here on ET, is definitely a fellow Indian. He has countered so many Pakistanis on this site, be it Lala Gee or whoever. And he has clearly said many times here that he is an Indian. Yet in your haze of self righteousness you choose to ignore that.
And by the way what he says makes perfect sense. India did the pragmatic thing since every nation is selfish and would look at its personal interests first and India is no exception. Yet when it comes to ethics, it did NOT do the right thing. Whats so wrong with his/her statements?
ET: Please publish my comments, many of times many of my sensible comments are quietly sidelined whereas borderline abusive ones from folks like @Dr. Dang who denigrate people slip through...
I find it unbelievable that India will not give Mr. Snowden asylum. India is the second largest country in the world, has an extremely powerful defence capability with a large arsenal of nuclear weapons, and cannot find the generosity to help a man who has explained exactly how a foreign power is spying on her. Who will wish to help India in the future? On the other hand however, India may be part of the US/UK/Israel international spy network.
@Albert Carrol: why not India?
@@Dr Dang: Stop Hiding. Reveal yourself !
@Rex Minor: Would you please explain the jargon in simple English language to us the 'un-educated' brother.... I mean What do you want to say exactly? What you wrote looked like a speech sample called 'Word Salad' (where there is no connection between sequential words) which is seen in Schizophrenics.... Since you don't seem to be a Schizophrenic, what do you actually mean??
@Water Bottle: I would not get very much excited about the policy of the Indian Government, other Governments have followed the same decision for one or other reason. What is interesting, however, that there are many aroun the world who have a very high perceptual immage of a number of countries who have suffered abuses of citzen rights and India is one of them!
How much these ountries have changed an move away from their peceive image can only be examined by the quick response to the whistle blower spy who did not come from from cold but from the so called country of law. Brazil recently elected woman President has not understood the thoughts and the wants of her own citizens and is now in transition because of her decision to waste money on international football competition insead of improving the livelihood of her people. Norway was hailed as the country which together with Sweden granted asylum to American citizens who refused to fight the vietnam War, and then awarded the Nobel peace award to the war President of the USA who is now known yes We Scan from the We can he was before beinf elected. India is not new for the Indians, it is the culture all around which the outside world is becoming aware of, despite its Government haning over th foreign ministr to muslim Indians.
Rex Minor
We live in an insecure world. On any given day i will bet my money on a country which secures its citizen no matter what it takes to achieve it & the US does it. History has shown that every world power during its peak have made blunders & so has the US. Every country in the past has compromised on morals & ideology to safeguard its own interests.No country provides someone asylum just because it fits it ideology. Its about survival.
So if @Water Bottle disagrees with Indian government policy he's "one of 17 Pakistanis with a dial up connection"?
In my view, this is a rude and unwarranted response. Everyone should be free to express their opinions on this site without fear of personal insults. Perhaps, my friend, you are one of 17 Indians obsessed with Pakistan who spend their days online trolling Pakistani websites.
No, I take that back. That's rude. And we are adults. Take a hint buddy: courtesy is appreciated. Kudos to @Water Bottle for ignoring the remark.
ET: If you can publish Dr Dang's borderline personally abusive comment, I hope you can publish my comment, which essentially insists on respect and courtesy.
India gets brownie points.........
@Water Bottle: I would want my people to be alive without compromising on our human rights. The oldest democracy of the world USA has more than what 200 years of experience handling human rights record.... With all the resources in the world and 1/3rd the population of India and that kind of an experience in democratic institutions, if US is forced to do this phone call monitoring to defend its citizens.... Imagine the pressure the Govt of India is facing with all the problems it has to deal with... The Govt of India simply does not have the option to be Morally right or wrong towards one Non-Indian individual when it is faces isolation and loss of right to food by crores of Indians.... Its Primary responsibility is to deal with any given situation realistically without causing any harm or with least harm to its National interests... That is what the Govt of India is doing... If it comes at the price of someone's privacy, i say its workable.... Your stand for privacy with security is idealistic but the world is not full of Gandhijis brother....
@Water Bottle: Good question. No and Yes. depending upon who’s morality. My morals are different from yours. Nice try brother... You can be a diplomat.. Only problem is you won't solve the actual problem. You will only end up being a linesman and keep calling which side of the line the ball fell on...
Pakistan should offer him Asylum. I bet he will reject that!!!!!
@ModiFied:
"Why should India give him asylum ? What does India gain? Ideal country to ask asylum would be Iran. I am sure Iran will be very happy to oblige. Another option is convert to Islam and move over to Pakistan where he will be showered rose petals"
What if he converts to Hinduism? Would you still leave him alone?
Poor chap!
@Manju: Shame on you for trying to make a martyr out of Terrorist Godhse. That fascist megalomaniac shot dead an unarmed frail old man, who had the largest public following amongst all leaders of India, and who was fasting for the sake of bringing communal harmony in India. Godhse brought shame to name of India in general and Hindus in particular. It was fortune of India that the Government led by Nehru saw through the designs of Godse's clan and sent him to the gallows & banned all associated organisation.
@Water Bottle Ji : This is an unfortunately ugly face of Indian government and human rights. It has done it over and again. Tasleema Nasreen was banished by the government because some hardliners with terrorist mentality opposed to it. The same terrorists when physically attacked Tasleema, nothing was done. I, for one, believe that Snowden should be given asylum in India. Not out of any benefit, but because that’s that right thing to do. Protect an innocent man, who has exposed the ugly side of USA. But, India being India (the new greedy capitalist) do only things that benefit us. Don’t oppose Burma, shake in our shoes before China and bully the neighbors. There are some good things that have come out of this nature : be friendly with Iran for one. But mostly, it’s all injustice. . Why can't Tasleema Nasreen - a Good Muslim - apply to one of the Over 50 Islamic Countries for Asylum? . Cheers
Cant believe everyone is hitting on Water Bottle. He has very aptly said what is right thing to do, but it isnt being done for the sake of good relations & benefits that India has from the US.
All those people questioning what has Edward Snowden done? You clearly have no idea about the range of NSA sponsored snooping plans because this is something no one has faced yet on an individual level but its much deeper than you think. Your calls, emails, messages are being monitored day in day out!!! Of course you're not a criminal so why should you bother? Majority of the people dont really care about privacy anyways!
But Yes, the RIGHT THING to do was to provide him asylum.
Snowden is advised to contact Taliban of Afghanistan, he will have asylum request accepted. Because only a nation free of USA influence can offer him asylum.
@Manju:
"On a more understandable plain – Nathuram Godhse assassinated Gandhiji’s as he thought Gandhiji’s silence was the reason for India’s division. Was Nathuram Godhse morally wrong???"
Good question. No and Yes. depending upon who's morality. My morals are different from yours.
Godse himself will say, he was morally right. I would say he was morally wrong.
@Manju
"One simple question my Indian brother… Would you like your people to be alive (in this case from the crucial intelligence being gathered by phone call records) or do you want to respect the ‘human right’ of a person who thinks having privacy is more important than being blown up by a neighbor"
I would want my people to be alive without compromising on our human rights.
@Manju
" Snowden was acting in favour of the people’s privacy against the favour of people security. You see its more logical to be alive first to enjoy the privacy later…. Dalai Lama simply spoke of his cultural identity and autonomy of governance (and not even freedom!)"
These are are very one sided arguments. You say Dalai Lama spoke for the autonomy of his people. China will say Dalai Lama was trying to break the integrity of that country.
"Snowden has no value to India, while Dalai Lama is a respected spiritual leader the entire world respects who if fighting for the rights of Tibetan people against China and therefore gives India more soft power. China is an adversary. So, my enemy’s enemy is my friend. Simple logic in international politics……….."
Very good. Very sound argument. That's called being practical. If you have any honesty left, you will also call it hypocritical.
"You mean to say Gandhi, Nehru, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Subhash Chandra Bose were all fugitives because they fought for the rights of their people and the country’s next generation? Your logic is so cool brother. So, where does you human rights and moral argument stand now?"
I don't think you know the meaning of the term FUGITIVE. A fugitive is a person who is on the run from being arrested. Gandhi never ran away from India. You need to look up the meaning of the term in a dictionary.
@Water Bottle: You claim i don't know what a banana republic is ,but don't explain why . You call Indian Govt a chicken, this is the same chicken that does business with Iran when rest of the world doesn't. This is the same chicken that dint support war in Iraq,hasn't signed the NPT, this is the same chicken that dint send a single soldier to Iraq. This chicken continues to purchase weapons from other sources other than US/Israel. This chicken made the US apologize for questioning a former president & a movie star. You declare snowden a fugitive booked under several charges, but don't care to mention the charges. You also declare a India a hypocrite.I know who you are,You are a internet warrior, ..You are one of the 17 Pakistanis who own dial-up internet connection with nothing better to do then leave comments on ET. you should call your self a disposed Water Bottle
@Water Bottle: But has Snowden done anything wrong morally (then again the question whose morality!)?, Then no. He exposed how USA was violating human rights One simple question my Indian brother... Would you like your people to be alive (in this case from the crucial intelligence being gathered by phone call records) or do you want to respect the 'human right' of a person who thinks having privacy is more important than being blown up by a neighbor who has been talking cozy to you while hatching dangerous plans in your own backyard? On a more understandable plain - Nathuram Godhse assassinated Gandhiji's as he thought Gandhiji's silence was the reason for India's division. Was Nathuram Godhse morally wrong???
@Water Bottle: It’s absolutely not ridiculous to compare Dalai Lama with Snowden in the context. If Snowden is a fugitive, so is Dalai Lama. They both stood up for the human rights and atrocities of big powers. 1) Snowden was acting in favour of the people's privacy against the favour of people security. You see its more logical to be alive first to enjoy the privacy later.... Dalai Lama simply spoke of his cultural identity and autonomy of governance (and not even freedom!) 2) Snowden has no value to India, while Dalai Lama is a respected spiritual leader the entire world respects who if fighting for the rights of Tibetan people against China and therefore gives India more soft power. China is an adversary. So, my enemy's enemy is my friend. Simple logic in international politics...........
If Dalai Lama ever enters China he will be charged under treason and executed. The same charges leveled against Snowden. You mean to say Gandhi, Nehru, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Subhash Chandra Bose were all fugitives because they fought for the rights of their people and the country's next generation? Your logic is so cool brother. So, where does you human rights and moral argument stand now?
@Dr. Dang
"This Indian Government is acting like a Banana Republic. Snowden is no fugitive, all he has done is expose his governments activity of snooping on its citizens."
Ridiculous argument. I would have accepted if you had said Indian government is acting like a chicken. Banana republic! Do you even know what that is?
Snowden is a fugitive.
Snowden is booked under several charges in USA.
The same way Dalai Lama is booked under several charges including treason by Chinese government.
But has Snowden done anything wrong morally (then again the question whose morality!)?, Then no. He exposed how USA was violating human rights.
Here, India has absolutely cowed down to USA. There's a very practical reason also. Tomorrow when there will be more Headley's surfacing in USA, India will have no ethical reason to ask for their extradition or even to question them.
But is India being a hypocrite? Absolutely.
India did the right thing by rejecting Snowden's asylum request. Comparing him with Tasleema Nasreen or Dalai Lama is totally incorrect. What exactly do anyone know at this stage about Snowden? Not much. We do not know who he is, nor do we know much about his character and integrity. We have heard about him for only a short time. All we know at this time is that he stole data from his own employers who trusted him.
@Water Bottle: Indian hypocrisy at best. Well, actually not at best. It is Indian hypocrisy as USUAL. Dude would you please Osama Bin laden in Abbotabad and Pakistan's (frontline ally!!!) 'War Against Terror'? You see Pakistan is a very just, sincere and simple country!!
@Water Bottle: But, India being India (the new greedy capitalist) do only things that benefit us. Well Pakistan being Pakistan can show the fool hardiness of housing him. But, since you guys can't give asylum to your own people, i guess passing judgements on someone else's right to accept or reject is none of a Pakistani's business. May be it would be better if Pakistanis are more bothered about their civilians Right to be alive and not blown up........... How about that?
@Water Bottle: Reply to Blackjack Dear Water Bottle, Extremely well written and succinct article without a wasted word. You are quite right about hegemony. The US/UK/Zionist combo have developed a spider-like web for global government, and all the major countries are becoming entrapped in it. Any country which does not conform is in trouble. One only has to look at, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan to see what happens if you do not. All the non-conformist countries are being picked off one by one. Thus, for this reason I think that India is being conformist, cowardly and shrewd, but hardly statesmanlike, and perhaps they will wish to forget this decision in year to come?.
Too many inane questions directed at me. I will try to answer some of them.
@Blackjack
"You haven’t answered my question on Russia and China."
I don't have to answer. because it has got nothing to do with Russia or China. That comparison in itself is nonsense. I'm an Indian citizen. I am not a Russian or a Chinese.
@Unbelievable
"Your anti USA bias is showing. Comparing Snowden to the Dali Lama is ridiculous and using the internet to track down terrorist maybe controversial but it’s a far cry from an atrocity."
Not my anti-USA bias. What I exposed is the two-faced Indians like yourself.
It's absolutely not ridiculous to compare Dalai Lama with Snowden in the context.
I was answering to Blackjack's question that why should India give asylum to a fugitive? If Snowden is a fugitive, so is Dalai Lama. They both stood up for the human rights and atrocities of big powers.
@BlackJack
"Your comparison of the Dalai Lama and Snowden is laughable; the Dalai Lama had not committed any crime against the Chinese Govt"
That shows how ignorant you are. If Dalai Lama ever enters China he will be charged under treason and executed. The same charges leveled against Snowden.
Read more.
@Naveen:
"Dalai Lama is a popular leader of Tibetans based in India who have time and again stood shoulder to shoulder with Indians in face of Chinese aggression. Who does Snowden represent? What has he done (or can do) for India? Technically, he’s a stateless guy now in conflict with an established Superpower with which India has good relations. "
Dalai Lama stood shoulder to shoulder in India obviously to repay for what India did to him. He sought India's help when Chine aggressed against Tibet.
What is the argument about someone representing someone here? That's obscurantism and I won't answer that.
However, I will tell you this, Snowden has stood for billions of innocent people. He has exposed a form of terrorism from USA which targeted not only our own government but also the people.
What you said "technically" should become "practically".
Yes. Practically. That's what you failed to read or understand in what I said.
This Indian Government is acting like a Banana Republic. Snowden is no fugitive, all he has done is expose his governments activity of snooping on its citizens. In India this could simply be done by the RTI act.Which is totally legal & has been instrumental in exposing Scams & Corruption within the Government. Indians in the past have given asylum to Dalai Lama , Tasleema Nasreen, hoards of Srilankan Tamilians, Tibetans & also dissidents from China.I wonder whats stopping them in accepting Snowden. He looks like a civil rights hero to me.I guess India just doesn't want to be seen in the company of Ecuador, China or Russia in opposing the Americans. Times are changing.
@Water Bottle: You haven't answered my question on Russia and China. If every other major country is doing the same as we are (you probably know that Snowden has applied for asylum to 20 major countries, so far unsuccessfully), I assume the entire world deserves the criticism (and clichés) that you seem to reserve for India. Your comparison of the Dalai Lama and Snowden is laughable; the Dalai Lama had not committed any crime against the Chinese Govt, when he fled the country and is not a wanted criminal in China. Further, he is not allowed to conduct any political activities in India - contrast this with Snowden who has refused Russian asylum when it came with the precondition that he desists from attacking the US Govt. Further, I sense a certain sense of naiveté from your comments on the US; pls understand that they are not doing anything that other nations are not, although they are probably more successful.
@Water Bottle: Dalai Lama is a Monk and religious head of Buddhist community not only in India but around the world. You are so ignorant, let it be an affair between India and Snowden. Why you Pakis bother yourselves in Indian Diplomacy ? There is enough to do in Pakistan! What about Drones / Shia Community / Electricity / Polio / Poverty / KSE / PIA / Pakistan Railways / Healthcare / Honor Killings / Rapes / Extortions / Kidnappings / etc.etc.etc.
Why should India give him asylum ? What does India gain? Ideal country to ask asylum would be Iran. I am sure Iran will be very happy to oblige. Another option is convert to Islam and move over to Pakistan where he will be showered rose petals
@Water Bottle: Dalai Lama is a popular leader of Tibetans based in India who have time and again stood shoulder to shoulder with Indians in face of Chinese aggression. Who does Snowden represent? What has he done (or can do) for India? Technically, he's a stateless guy now in conflict with an established Superpower with which India has good relations.
@Water Bottle
Your anti USA bias is showing. Comparing Snowden to the Dali Lama is ridiculous and using the internet to track down terrorist maybe controversial but it's a far cry from an atrocity.
@Blackjack
Yes, I know all the reasons India is doing this. It's the same survival instinct any animal shows.
Surviving is more important than principles. That's why India is becoming the next capitalist hegemony.
If Snowden who exposed the ugly face of USA is a fugitive, how is he any different from Dalai Lama?
Dalai Lama opposed China's atrocities against the Tibet.
Snowden exposed USA's atrocities against the whole world.
Indian hypocrisy at best. Well, actually not at best. It is Indian hypocrisy as USUAL.
Reminds me of Iltutmish' refusal to grant asylum to Jalal ad-din Mingburnu and in process saving Delhi from being razed to ground by then superpower Mongols under Changez Khan. It was the most rational thing to do. America is a superpower in an International Jungle where the rule of might is right reigns supreme, and that's a reality India (and all others) have to live and work with. Besides I don't think Mr. Snowden will be of much use if someday Chinese were to come down the Himalayas , while support of Government of USA can come in quite handy.
@Water Bottle: The intelligence world operates on give and take of information - India benefits enormously from the sharing of info from the CIA (given our own lack of competence in this area). You don't burn your bridges with a friendly country by harboring one of their fugitives just to show how much you value human rights, especially when any such action would be hypocritical - we all know how much lip service is paid to these words in India. China and Russia have also refused asylum to Snowden - I assume that they are doing it our of love or fear of the US?
did he applies iran???
This was expected from our govt but I would have preferred granting him asylum. But who can stand to a bully U.S. ?
C'mon, he should be sure of being safe where he is applying for asylum :)
poor snowden I remembered movie Terminal when funny Caucasian dude stays and worked on jfk.
Why would you choose India?