Van Dyke threatens to ‘reveal shocking details’ of his arrest, incarceration in India, blames Russia

Mathew Van Dyke. File | Photo credit: Getty Images

The case of Mathew Aaron Van Dyke, an American citizen arrested along with six Ukrainians for traveling from Myanmar without valid documents, is still pending in the courts, the State Department said on Tuesday (Nov 10, 2026).

MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal declined to comment on Mr Van Dyke’s claim that he was arrested at the behest of Russia or his threat to “reveal shocking details” about his six-month incarceration in Delhi’s Tihar jail.

Also read | US citizen arrested by NIA on terror charges released on bail after 180-day investigation period

Mr Van Dyke, who was released on bail along with the others arrested, was allowed to leave the country last month. According to his mother Sharon Van Dyke, who campaigned for his release, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor raised the issue with the Indian government.

“India jailed me and several Ukrainians for over six months. It was part of Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Mr Van Dyke said in the post, without giving further details. He said he would “reveal shocking details about this story in posts and media interviews over the next few months.”

“Wait for the verdict of the court”

Asked about Mr Van Dyke’s comments, Mr Jaiswal said the case was currently before the courts, adding that the government “will have to wait for what the courts say”.

The government has come under fire from opposition parties for downplaying the charges against Mr Van Dyke and for allowing the National Investigation Agency to say it had no objection to those accused of suspected mercenary activities leaving the country.

“No Anti-India Agenda”

In a series of responses to Indian social media users on Tuesday (Nov 10), Mr Van Dyke said he was “innocent” of any “anti-India” agenda, but admitted he had illegally crossed from Myanmar to Mizoram without valid permits.

“Everyone who goes to the non-junta areas in northwest Myanmar goes through India. It happens every day,” Mr Van Dyke said, calling for the case against him to be dropped.

In response to a question on social media by The Hindu, Mr Van Dyke said he would return to India in February 2027 to appear before the court in person, though the court suggested he could attend the hearing via video from the US.

“trained armed groups”

The NIA arrested Mr Van Dyke and six Ukrainian nationals on 13 March 2026 at various Indian airports in connection with an alleged cross-border conspiracy involving ethnic armed groups based in Myanmar.

According to the agency, the accused entered India on tourist visas and traveled to the northeastern region without obtaining the required permits. They illegally crossed from Mizoram to Myanmar where they allegedly trained ethnic armed organizations in drone warfare, drone operations and assembly and jamming technology. Initially, the NIA also invoked the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). However, her first indictment on September 8 did not include terrorism charges.

In September, a special court granted Mr. Van Dyke bail and allowed him and others to leave the country and return to India within 30 days. Mr. Van Dyke returned to Delhi on October 23 and appeared before the court. On the same day, the court allowed him to return to the US and extended permission for six Ukrainians (who appeared via video conference) to also stay out of India until 24 February 2027.

Published – 10 Nov 2026 19:49 IST