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.
Police have launched a hunt for Mohammed Shahnawaz, a student of Milagres Collge, who went absconding after thrashing Rev Fr Michael Santumayar, the principal of the same college, near his chamber on Thursday for denying him hall ticket on grounds of attendance shortage.
Comments
he should be hanged ,
This boy who assaulted the Principal should be given the severest punishment - a lesson to all not to think of such crime in their dream also. However, some BORN dirty filthy generation of people brought religion here. These scums forgot what their religion is - Who raped Tulsmi Mata, who kidnapped Rukmini, Who killed Sambhuka, why they push the widow to burning fire, one girl is married to one brother - the rest of male start sharing her why??? Why wife's sister is half wife and husband's brother is half-husband to you - Why do you force Dalit women pray naked? Are you animals or worse than them??
action is to be condemned , but sensible people will not bring religion into this. This Boy will be put in jail shortly and punished as per IPC.
It is in his blood...so what else we can expect....they don't give respect for women ...for them women means property....even don't teach sanskar ...just they train how to steal, stab and cheat ...once they reach adulthood they get him bike and hanky panky shirts and pants. One apple iPhone ...next day these guys will be on jihad in front of colleges with sole aim of increasing population. ..why this community never produces quality world class scientists .this is the main reason .
@Sangeet
completely agree with your thoughts. I pray Almighty Allah to guide you to adopt the teachings of the religion of peace.
Ladies n gentlemen... don't bring religion for individuals action... shame on u ppl for vomiting venom on a particular religion whenever u get opportunity.... anyway these kinds of ur negative propoganda never let down Islam rather its spreading rapidly.
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