Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lashed out former US President Barack Hussain Obama over his incendiary remarks about the treatment of minorities in India.
Obama had said ““The protection of Muslim minorities in a majority Hindu India … “Part of my argument would be that if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, then there is a strong possibility India at some point starts pulling apart. And we’ve seen what happens when you start getting those kinds of large internal conflicts,”.
Just sat down for an exclusive w/ President @BarackObama in Athens to discuss the future of democracy, at home & abroad. I asked how the US should engage with autocracies. Watch his response.
Our interview and a conversation with 3 Obama Foundation leaders airs 10pET on @CNN. pic.twitter.com/vREoV62Rp5
— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) June 22, 2023
However, Indians including senior Ministers of the Government of India did not take Barack Hussain Obama’s comments lying down and have been vocally calling out the former US President calling it unwarranted and have been pointing out his hypocrisy at the same time.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman questioned former US President Barack Obama’s comments on Indian Muslims, pointing out the bombings carried out in six Muslim-majority nations during his presidency.
“I was shocked. When PM Modi was campaigning in the US – and by campaigning I mean speaking about India – a former President of the US is speaking about Indian Muslims. And I am saying this with restraint because it involves another country. We want friendship with the US but there too we get comments about religious tolerance in India from USCIRF, the President says something. A former President – under whose rule six Muslim-majority countries were bombed. From Syria to Yemen to Saudi, to Iraq – didn’t they bomb? War-like situation developed in more than 7 countries. More than 26,000 bombs were dropped. How will people trust his allegations?” she said.
#WATCH | FM Nirmala Sitharaman says, "…It was surprising that when PM was visiting the US, a former US President (Barack Obama) was making a statement on Indian Muslims…I am speaking with caution, we want a good friendship with the US. But comments come from there on India's… pic.twitter.com/6uyC3cikBi
— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2023
She highlighted the recognition received by PM Modi from countries with Muslim-majority populations and the Prime Minister recently received the Order of the Nile (Egypt’s highest honour).
Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, criticized Barack Hussain Obama for his comments, while responding to a journalist saying “There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities.”
There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities. https://t.co/flGy2VY1eC
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 23, 2023
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