NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Thursday addressed recent reports of Indian nationals arrested in the United States, emphasizing the importance of abiding by local laws and maintaining India’s image abroad.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke on two high-profile cases: an Indian tourist reportedly arrested for shoplifting nearly $1,000 worth of items from a US store, and a 42-year-old Indian national detained in Washington State on charges related to possession of child pornography.“Our constant request to all our people who go abroad is that they should follow the law and order of that country, and create a good image of the country,” Jaiswal said.Responding specifically to the child pornography case, he added, “This is a matter of law and order. Indian nationals must abide by local laws.”The MEA spokesperson reiterated, “We would endeavour to tell Indian nationals going abroad that they should abide by local laws, guidelines and regulations.”The statements come shortly after the US Embassy in India issued a pointed warning to visa holders following the viral video of the shoplifting arrest. The embassy cautioned that criminal acts such as theft could lead to visa revocation and permanent bans on future US travel.With an ongoing crackdown on immigration violations and tighter visa scrutiny under recent US policies, Indian nationals are urged to exercise caution and adhere strictly to foreign laws to avoid legal consequences.The MEA assured that it remains in constant touch with local authorities and is committed to providing necessary assistance to Indian nationals abroad while urging citizens to be responsible and law-abiding travelers.
