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
Dear media
why you doesn't mention hindu terrorists because he is not a Muslim name r8
BJP is lost in its arrogance
What you cultivate that you harvest. BJP may lose all assembly elections in future including LS. Let them be an arrogant tusker for few more days
Where is NIA?
Naren, when are u coming back to India, to place the meat bag in the Nagabana and to start a riot..... we are missing Mutalik, so you should fill his vacancy.....
Viren ...if it's a bajrangi victim....if minority then terrorist.....please clean your brain with water....not go moorhra....you may change your mindset
Haha there is no shortage for babu bajrangrees in India who are ultra nationalists ....today we might have tears ...but table will turn towards Islamic millitants for sure ...
This is what happens, they do but minorities are labelled as traitors
NAREN LOST HIS TWO BROTHERS....! STILL WE FEEL PITY...
Natasha....well said... God bless you .... May Almighty show us the way of humanity....... In your list of allegations, just add one more point.....Place the meat bag in Naga Bana and blame the Minorities.....this is what happened in Bhatkal recently....
VIREN..........Yes He is victim of Terrorism because he is scape goat in RSS terror Game ....same like Praveen /Prashanth poojary
@Viren, exactly you are right.. and also the cow killed Prashanth Poojary.. simply media blaming Banjrang Daakus and VH Saddists as murderers. Dont be blind in religion that you cannot make what is right from wrong
Wa Makaru wa Makara Allah wa’Allahu Khairul Makereen’ (Quran: Surah Aali Imran 3:54) 'They planned and Allah planned and Allah is the best of planners’.
our country is marching towards VINASH because of these Hindutva Aatankies (BJP, RSS, VHP, Shiv Sena, Ram Sena, Gay Rakshak etc.) They are treating all non Hindus as their slaves (Dalits, Chiristens & Muslims) & the governing BJP & MP Mr. Mozi are giving them full support. Gujarat under Mr.Mozi in past was same against Muslim.They are playing dirty politics.
Suno na Cheddi marmar...
ki yeh dhamake
Kuch bhi nahi hai...
aage tumhaare
Aaj se chappal pe mere...
raaj tumhaara....
Cheddi tumhara
What a great news. After Udupi incident, this news will surely cause at least a mild heart attack for the party of thugs.
Thank you God for averting a terror attack and punishing terrorist
Ethics of journalism is murdered here. Deekshit is a victim. not terrorist. Kannur is a place where PFI had organised terror camp years ago. Central government must intervene and expose the reality.
You traffic cows
You make bombs
You hoist Pak flag in India
You raise anti national slogans
You kill innocents
Then why the f*** you put the blame on Muslims???
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