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.
Comments
Ram Naik India is not belongs to you there is a COMMON constitution to
all INDIANS. The seat which you holding is a respective ONE. Don't misuse or try to pollute. If you people not respecting the constitution then your same policy will destroy you.
cheddis are missing here also....
O armed cheddis show u r stamina against most wanted BABA's..
Beliye Eddu Hola Meidanthe
Where are Mulla Mulayam, his son akilesh and their wazeer azam khan ?
and bargain king Shahi imam ? All are using minorities as vote Bank. AAP is best solution for all the problem in the current scenario.
hahahaha muah what a word rama naik ji ... saabis are burning ... obba thirdrated saying we have guts only when we have drinks .. ofcourse even their ummah gang that is ISIS , uses drugs to fight . one slum shaiekh saying one verse .. hahaha ... just 2 million millitarised jewish army , 56 muslim nations cannot do anything .. they are doing mujra infront of israel .. just imagive if hindus are millitarised ... pinkaan and gaddakke benki hatchiteevi rashtradrohi. galige .. jai sri ram ... even pakistan has 200 million muzzies and 200 nukes .. but they cannot stop drone attack from USA in their country .. pakistan claims they are the protectors of holy sights ... hahaha ... first to take weapons are jewish ,then christians now hindus along with buddhists . who wants these rogue irrtitating culture ... hara hara mahadev , arm hindus for the protection of bharath mata , which is under threat from jihadists and islamic mercnearies ...
narendra Modi govt compliments to hindu terrorist......
I request muslim organisations to provide same arm camps to all of their members...
It is the duty of Governor to maintain Law and order in co-ordination with state govt. instead it supports this kind of illegal activities.
If people are allowed to take Arms what will be the future of Inida..
It is shame to the democratic country like India and going back to the old age where there was no Law and order.
It is the Duty of the governor to maintain Law and order with co-ordination of State Govt. and instead supporting sangh parivar to violate Law and order in the name of self defense!!!
If the Ruler itself is supporting this kind of activities just imagine what will be the future of India....
terrorists are trained and government is defending it.
They only have guts to fight someone wen they drink alchohol....
Let them practice or get trained!! Remember one thing - \ Jo bhi hota hai, Manzure khuda hota hai!! Maarne wale se bachane wala bada hai wahi hamara Parwardigar hai!!"
Add new comment