India says no diplomatic spat with Malawi over deported businessman: High Commission busted lying through its teeth

India High Commission in Lilongwe has said there is no diplomatic row between Indian and Malawi over the deportation of  a dubious  Indian businessman Chandrashaker More, saying it is a “minor issue” that will not affect the historial relationship between the two countries but the Commission has been busted lying that it never asked for  security protection of More.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services in May deported Chandrashaker More,  who owes the public tax collector K20 million, and had also racially insulted Police officers at the court calling them “poor plebs”.

Indian High Commission has been pressing Malawi government and its agencies to allow More back in the country with the deputy high commissioner taking a personal interest in the matter and seeking police protection for its national.

But a ‘press release’ which was published in the Weekend Nation newspaper of July 8 2017, the Indian High Commission denied that it has not requested at any point of time to provide diplomatic privileges, right or immunity to More.

“The security provided to him was extended by police authorities, which is  a standard procedure, if the conditions to provide secueity are met,” the statement reads.

However, a  diplomatic note dated March 10 2017 Nyasa Times sourced and is hereby published shows that Indian High Commission requested for two armed Malawi Police officers for More  and is  lying  that the close protection was extended by police.

The letter indicates that the office actually wrote Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation over the police protection issue and that More would bear the costs.

Nonetheless, Indian High Commission says it continues to support the efforts of Malawi to promote private  sector investment in the country.

The commission wrote Malawi government asking it to make clear its intentions pertaining to the actions against More and requested for thorough investigations into circumstances leading to his arrest and deportation.

Malawi says it welcomes genuine Indian investors and give them conducive environment to do business in the country but has refused to be stampeded on dubious More.

Indian diplomats said the“High Commission has a role in promoting bilateral commercial and business relations between India and Malawi and will continue  to work towards that goal.”

Minister of Home Affairs  Chiumia has stressed that the dubious Indian investor will remain a prohibited immigrant in Malawi.

“ I would like to point out that there is no way someone, who has been deported would be allowed to come back into this country. It means the passport of such a person is completely cancelled,” Chiumia said.

The Minister made the remarks in Parliament.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Francis Kasaila  also said authorities granted More the  status of prohibited immigrant when his removal directions was issued on 12 May, 2017.

Kasaila said the time Indian High Commission was asking More to be given State security he was coming back for court cases and  had not been issued the status of prohibited immigrant.

Recently, Rumphi East member of parliament Kamlepo Kalua (Peoples Party –PP) raised the issue in Parliament for Minister of Foreign Affairs  to comment on why Indian High Commission was demanding special treatment for its deported citizen.

More was deported last month just two days after he was arrested for jumping bail. He was initially arrested in 2015, in connection with tax evasion issues and left for India after being granted permission to travel while on bail.

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