May 1: India on Thursday called as "propaganda" certain social media posts from the Arab world alleging harassment of Muslims in several parts of the country in the name of containing the spread of coronavirus.
Strongly rebutting the charges, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the Gulf countries are deeply committed to friendly relations with India and they are even seeking bilateral talks on the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.
Talking about India's close and traditional ties with the Arab countries, he said New Delhi is ensuring uninterrupted supply of food and essential commodities to the region during Ramzan as part of its deep-rooted friendship.
Srivastava said the countries in the region do not support any interference in India's internal affairs.
"Much of what you see is propaganda by interested parties. Stray tweets can not be used to characterise our bilateral ties with these countries. The real picture of these relations is very much different," he said during an online media briefing.
There has been a wave of angry reactions on Twitter by leading citizens and rights activists from various Arab countries following allegations that Muslims are being blamed for spreading COVID-19 in several parts of India.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, a powerful bloc of 57 countries, recently accused India of "Islamophobia". India rejected the charges as regrettable.
"We have been making special efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply of food and essential commodities which are required during the Ramzan period in these countries, and this is something which has been greatly appreciated. These countries also want a priority discussion with India on the post-COVID-19 economic recovery," Srivastava said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have been in regular touch with their counterparts from the region in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
"In these discussions, there have been requests for sending medicines and medical teams to these countries. We already deployed a Rapid Response Team in Kuwait. There is also a request to send doctors and nurses from India," said Srivastava.
"What comes out clearly is that these countries are deeply committed to friendly relations with India. They also do not support any interference in internal matters of India. It is, therefore, important that the friendly and cooperative nature of our relations is accurately recognised and the misuse of social media is not given credence," he added.
Asked about reports of an order issued by Oman's Finance Ministry asking all state-owned companies to replace foreign workers with qualified local Omanis, Srivastava said it is not aimed at Indians working in the Gulf nation.
"The policy is a decades-old one and not specific to India. It does not target the Indians in any way," he said.
There have been apprehensions that the order will render thousands of Indians working in state-run firms in Oman jobless.
"They greatly value relationship with India. Government of Oman is taking special care of Indians which included free testing for coronavirus, its treatment, providing food," the MEA spokesperson said.
Oman government is also extending certain categories of visas of Indians.
Srivastava said India has been in touch with its friends and partners across the world as part of the collaborative approach to dealing with the pandemic.
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If Mr.Bhat arrested then it will be in Guinnus Book of records!! Congress Government have no guts to do it!! Mr. Bhat a well known figure in creating communal tension involving directly / indirectly in various types of crimes in our district since 35 years!!! but no Government so far not even able to file an FIR against him!! This is very sad news for peace loving people of this district. In this case also CID is helpless.
Do anybody have the guts to touch this chaddi? Hope atleast this time.
Put him behind the bars. Law is equal to all.
No one can touch bhat, even congRSS goverment cannot touch him because all are wearing his chaddi.
Not god call father or baap, shame on you yaar study history of that rowdy bhat, do you know he is barking about cow but he is selling cow from your mother land sulliya asram,
Arrest this insect of mangalore Before he spread the virus
he will get punishment for his mistake,. but why people are so much interested in his life,
Prabhakar Bhat is Like Poojary, No hold for tongue. creating non sense in the society
kalladka bhat dont have any work to go behind this rape case?
Manohar! This is the problem with you guys.. If he says one word against Minorities then he is god for you.. grow up buddy! Before making him god try to understand what type of god he is? Good or bad!
No guts to congress arrest bhat, its 100% sure.. this congress only cheating minoties name of bhat and RSS. they are also blindly supporting Congress.. Above 70% of congress leaders touched with RSS. then how they are arrest
This person actually divides the community with his poisonous speech causing hatred among people.
It is individuals choice how he/she wants to live.
How can he impose Hindutwa on others who has his own principles.
There is a limit for toleration and patience, one day when the limit exceeds, then automatically faces the consequence.
If the law can not protect, then it needs to protect the law and do the justice to all.
Manohar ,
There are many faces who are sheep in front & Fox from behind.. Which u guys are unable to recognize... Go and ask with the Victim. If u personally did not met them. then Dont judge and give certificate of Honesty... A honest person will never give hate speeches..
Now behind Harish Murder ???? who sponsored ??? who is giving bike , car, money and legal protection to Bhajrang dal Boys???
If brain map Mr. Bhat ..... all these stories will come out.
He is the paid goonda from RSS. Its the closing time of bhatta.
Manohar, Bhatta is a stray animal......
will congi govt show guts to teach him lesson? i dont think so bcz most congi leaders are in touch with him
Guilty Must be Punished.
Such dual personality person cant fool people for long
Bhat bajrangi clean bowled....jail term not less then 10 years.....all the best....
The Great RSS!!!!
sabko pap yek din bugathna hoga.
Put him in jail forever, he s one and only person who creates communal dispute in the society.
THU THO GAYA BHAT ISS BAAR...
Must be a trap by congress, Kalladka Bhat is a prominent personality. goons are trying to defame some innocents
Great Personality of Tulu Nadu, This s the Fake news, he s like god to us, he cant make this .
Bhat is a murderer, This type of goons must be sent to pakistan.
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