India declined Snowden asylum request

India refused to grant political asylum to American whistleblower Edward Snowden. India is one out of 19 countries where political asylum for Snowden is filed by Sarah Harrison, legal advisor of Wikileaks.

"Our embassy in Moscow did receive a communication dated 30 June from Mr Edward Snowden. That communication did contain a request for asylum, Following careful examination, we have concluded that we see no reason to accede to Snowden's request" foreign ministry spokesman of India Syed Akbaruddin said.

Earlier, US Whistleblower Edward Snowden requested political asylum in Moscow, Russia but withdrew the asylum request later after being urged to stop anti American activity by the Russian President.

The asylum request made to a number of countries including Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Spain, Swiss Confederation, Venezuela by Sarah Harrison , legal advisor of WikiLeaks in the matter of Snowden.

The Obama administration has warned countries not to give asylum to Snowden arguing that he is wanted in the US on charges of espionage and leaking classified information.