Trump appreciates India for releasing American pastor

US President Donald Trump has appreciated India for listening to his request to release an American pastor who was arrested last October on charges of carrying USD 40,000 of undeclared currency. Tennessee pastor Bryan Nerren, who was released by India after intervention from Trump this May, attended a round table with President in Oval Office of White House along with several or American citizens who were released from overseas abductions and detentions.

India responded very well to my request. Appreciate that, Trump said as he appeared in a taped meeting with a group of US citizens who were abducted or detained overseas and Trump Administration helped m to return home. taped roundtable was broadcast during first night of four-day Republican National Convention on Monday.

In his brief remarks, Nerren explained that he had been arrested by Indian officials while travelling in country. Nerren from International House of Prayer Ministries was arrested in Bagdogra, West Bengal last October on charges of travelling with USD 40,000 of undeclared currency.

Among ors who appeared along with Trump were Michael White, a US Navy veteran who was arrested in July 2018 while visiting his girlfriend in Iran and Sam Goodwin, a world traveller who entered rrn Syria from Iraq on May 25, 2019 and was taken into custody for failure to have a visa.

Ors who appeared on video were Andrew Brunson, a pastor, accused of being part of a terrorist group, Gulen movement, and was arrested on October 7, 2016, by Turkey and Joshua and Tamara Holt, arrested in Venezuela shortly after ir wedding and accused of stockpiling weapons.

Each of m briefly recounted ir stories and thanked President Trump for his efforts to secure ir freedom. Trump's intervention to release Pastor Nerren came after Christian leaders from Tennessee and US lawmakers mounted a campaign for his release with both India and his administration. In February, Rhonda J Nerren wrote a letter to Trump seeking release of her husband Pastor Nerren. president is believed to have taken up issue during his visit to India in February.

Nerren was arrested in October 2019 and charged with violating Foreign Exchange Manment Act for travelling with USD 40,000 of undeclared currency. On October 11, he was released on bail. On December 31, 2019, Indian Customs issued a show cause order confiscating USD 40,000 and imposing a penalty of Rs 3 lakh (roughly USD 4,000). In January, Nerren surrendered entire amount and paid fine. On May 15, 2020, after months of diplomatic efforts, Nerren was released and allowed to return home.