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.
In a written reply, Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir, informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that some media reports indicated that some known terrorists have reportedly been inspired by Dr Naik. However, investigations so far in this regard could not find any evidence against the internationally acclaimed orator.
Comments
My dear Venki...I say that both are not same as u said.. Do u know why?
1. Sadhivi Prachi always gives her hate speech. Like kill them kick them out of India.. Salman khan amir khan.. oh khan yeh khan.. many more as u know...
2. Zakir naik says Islam is pure rest others are not a true.. He doesnt says throw, kick, kill etc etc.. If you have any doubts you check from google bhayya and make it clear.. so dont compare lion and dogs! Lion is lion and dogs are always dogs it will never become lion :D
Zakeer Naik has more Fans - Hindus, Christians than Muslims.
His Fans are mostly highly educated, intellectuals.
He never advocates hatreds, animosities. He says truth which are wrongly practiced not following their own respective scripts like Veda, Geethas.
His knowledge in Hindu scripts are more than any common Swamees, pandiths.
Dear venki,
Your statement shows how much innocent you are. How you can compare prachi with Zakir? Did Zakir hate any religion? he is comapring the religions. He is showing what is in hindu scripts mentioned and what you are practising. Example, in vedas it clearly mention that idol worship should not be done. How many of us worshipping Idol? Did Prachi talk about Veda any time? If you listen her speeches it is spitting venom.
He has working, serving the people even with his all wealth, without seeking any personnel benefit. He has been doing it at least last 30-35years as I know it.
It would have not taken this much time to find any irregular activity if he has been committing such.
If does not need much time to know any anti social activity.
He is very much openly operating his activities obeying all the norms.
He is more popular in Europe and US, other countries than in India.
For some people it is very much difficult to digest his popularity and his fair activities.
Unfortunately those Sanghi brothern or Sanghi sympathizers can understand that he is rescuing them from their unknown mistakes.
Whatever he is doing he is not seeking any worldly benefit.
He has a strong faith in God, his sincere efforts will be rewarded in the other permanent life (which will be after death).
Really every Indian should thank God Almighty for bestowing such sincere person.
May God help us to understand truth and Guide us.
Modi's U turn....
TRUTH PREVAILS AND FALSE WILL PERISH...ALHAMDULILLAH
ZAKIR NAIK BECOMES MORE POPULAR....IN'SHA ALLAH
CHADDIGALIGE BURNOOL BAGYA
It is UNIVERSAL truth that he is innocent and just focusing on ISLAM. May almighty bless with you good always.
It is really good news for Zakir Naik and his followers, I was sure he will come up clean as I follow him last 20 years he always support teaching of Allah and Hadees and prophet's teaching. He never criticize other religion but compares to Islam whenever there was Q&A session anybody asks the question. He respect other religion.
Best of luck ZN and continue your good work.
Where are the saffron mfs who were barking and somebody please shit in mouth......
what is the fate of that Lunatic and his associates who have been shouting from the rooftop 24x7.? Is his Time Now come to an END?
Whenever a genuine Muslim targeted almighty Allah saved them, this is enough to realize a mankind that Allah is only a creator of everything nothing else. So everybody should say in one word that \Allah Hu Akbar, La ilaha Illalah\""
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