Representative image.

| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The family of a U.S. citizen, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) along with six Ukrainians on charges of illegally crossing into Myanmar from Mizoram to train armed ethnic groups in weapons handling and drone warfare, has said that U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has raised the issue with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, when the latter was on a visit to Delhi in May.The family of Mathhew Van Dyke, who was detained at the Kolkata airport on March 11 and later arrested by the NIA, has renewed calls for urgent diplomatic intervention amid concerns over his health and prison conditions.The External Affairs Ministry is yet to respond to the issue.Sons of Liberty International, the NGO founded by Mr. Van Dyke, said that the accused reportedly began a liquids-only hunger strike on May 6, which he attempted to end on June 18.“A humanitarian food application was approved July 21. Matthew Van Dyke has yet to receive approved mosquito nets, and kettle. Matthew is reportedly eating only oatmeal as other purchased foods are not provided to him,” it added.The family said Mr. Van Dyke was transferred from the NIA headquarters to Tihar Jail in Delhi on April 6 “despite suffering from an injured leg, declining eyesight, and without access to his prescribed medication.”It said that his mother, Sharon Van Dyke, who is over 80, was only allowed a five-minute emergency call with him months ago.Advocates Rohit Dandriyal and Rohit Gour applied to the Delhi Court for Mr. Van Dyke’s medical treatment at a private hospital and establishment of proper communication with his family in the U.S.“However, the Delhi Court denied both application requests on June 1 alleging foreign government communications. Matthew was too weak to stand or walk during a court appearance, and utilises a wheelchair to meet with his attorneys,” the statement added.Mr. Gour said that Mr. Van Dyke is lodged in a high-security ward in Tihar and his judicial custody has been extended till September 8. “The NIA is yet to file a chargesheet and the specific allegations against Van Dyke are not clear,” he said.His mother and the family’s spokesperson, Gia Santos, visited Washington in June and July to speak with Congressional offices and the State Department.Mr. Van Dyke, along with six Ukrainians, has been charged under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Earlier, the NIA had told the court that they had entered India on tourist visas and later travelled to Mizoram allegedly without obtaining the required Protected Area Permit, crossed the border to Myanmar, and were allegedly planning to train anti-India ethnic armed groups there.The NIA is investigating the case to unearth the alleged conspiracy involving the accused, who are also suspected to have smuggled drones into Myanmar.According to Section 18 of the UAPA, those attempting to commit terrorist acts can face a jail term of five years or imprisonment for life if convicted. Published - August 31, 2026 09:08 pm IST