The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has strongly denied allegations that its immigration authorities stopped a Nepali citizen from traveling to Germany at the Delhi airport.
Issuing a press release today, the MHA categorically stated that Indian immigration had "no role to play in this entire episode."
The incident involved Ms Shambhavi Adhikari, a citizen from Nepal, who was reportedly stopped at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi, while attempting to transit to Berlin, and subsequently sent back to Kathmandu.
"The said passenger arrived from Kathmandu by Air India and was transiting through Delhi. She was stopped while boarding the connecting flight of Qatar Airways," reads the press statement issued by the MHA.
According to the Ministry, it was Qatar Airways that decided not to permit her onward travel to Germany. The airline made this decision after reportedly reviewing her visa validity and in accordance with the destination country’s rules and requirements.
Transit passengers not under immigration purview
The MHA made it clear that international transit passengers are not required to approach Indian Immigration for their onward journey.
"This is a matter between the airlines and the passenger with absolutely no role of Indian immigration authorities," the statement noted.
Ms Adhikari reportedly rescheduled her travel dates and later traveled to her destination using another route from Kathmandu.
Reinforcing the bilateral relationship, the MHA stated, "India values its strong relationship with Nepal and reassures that no Indian authority has any bias or discrimination against citizens of Nepal."
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