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.
Addressing a protest meet in front of Konaje police station on Sunday Mr Kateel said: “We (Sangh Parivar) are capable of setting Dakshina Kannada district on fire if the police fail to arrest the accused in Karthik Raj murder case.”
Comments
I think kateel had good new year celebration along with mithun rai.... free alcohol was supplied by mithun rai.....what you say guys????? lagta hai daaru kuch bohat hi zyaada hogayi thi raat me....daaru ka nasha utra nahi hoga....isliye agle din subah aake kateel ne apni dil ki baat keh di.....wo kehte hai na daaru ke nashe me aadmi ke muh se sach nikalta hai
Think twice before u speak, is a famous dialogue which clearly suits Nalini Kumari Kateel.. Mike mila tho pagal bhi gaane lagta hey,,
He is not fit for MP.......should be removed.....
Nalin is lying that he was not well. He uttered what bjp and sanghis have planned. Nothing can be hidden for a long time. this is hidden agenda of sanghis to create trouble in karnataka and costal districts in particular. Police should arrest him under goonda act. He should be removed from MP post as he is unfit for this responsible position. Suprement Court should order central Govt to take notice of this dangerous statement from an MP and remove him from this post. In case Nalin is mentally sick, admit him in a mental hospital.
for instance if this was happened from one of our muslim brother, what would be the reaction and action from these sanghis????? even from chaddi police dept......
ha now we came to know that you are bad mental mp of our dk dist. shame on you. you must resign immediately.
New year night \ raathre paad dina onchooru jaasthiathund\" - mallajjappa powad.
Ancha namma modi 15 lakh niklena bank gu paadwe panthijja..... Anchane indula..
Thoo paadare inbe daane lankeda hanumanthena?"
Hahaha...pukkele...
Typical coward sanghi...
The nation wants to know whether you are really not well or the frog inside well?
No need to give clarification just put this man behind bars. Useless MP
Pradeepji, NOT Wenlock, Kankanady Permanently.
Such goondas are fit to be encountered ....
Yes true he is not well... this all unstable people belongs to BJP/RSS, They dont know what they are speaking after all, all are the followers of chaiwala, what we can expect from this RSS goondas...this marle minister even dont know to speak in parliment, he drinks spit twice before he delivers a word
If he is unwell, admit him to Wenlock
This is the fact and sanghis real mentality. Now he may accept his threatening to set fire his own constituency, message is out in public.
Every anti-national will say the same thing when press conference even Thogadia....Shame on you as a MP of our beloved Dakshina Kannada. Did the people elect you to disturb the area & set fire .. Thooo ninna....
Anna kadle baipinanda thoo malpode, E thoo malpu bokk kadle baipundu.....
why didnt police arrest him, he is enticing people to create violence, why no suo motto on him.
such people should be booked under goonda act
Add new comment