The Centre never encouraged "diplomatic isolation" of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi after the 2002 riots and it did not have any reservation against any country forging diplomatic ties with the state, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said today.
"We did not encourage any diplomatic isolation. We did not encourage sovereign countries to take a particular position on Mr Modi. They did take that position and we know that position. If they take another position, we will know that as well," Khurshid said here.
He was reacting to Russian Ambassador Alexander Kadakin's remarks welcoming Modi's victory in the state elections.
He, however, was also quick to mention that a section in the US does not want to have friendship with the Gujarat government.
The Centre should not be criticised if certain countries do not want diplomatic ties with Gujarat and, at the same time, question should not be asked if a country forges ties with it, he said, adding, "We may disagree with some of his policies and indeed some of the attitudes that he exhibits".
In October, Britain ended a 10-year boycott of Modi imposed after the 2002 riots and decided to resume engagement with Gujarat.
"He has an elected office....To have political difference with him and to join the campaign against him on issues that we believe are of far-reaching nature is completely different from his being the Chief Minister of the state and I hope that he makes the same distinction himself," he said.
Noting that the Centre welcomes "good relationship" with all wings of government, Khurshid said still a section in the US does not want to have friendship with the Gujarat government.
"Still a section of American people think there should not be friendship with the Gujarat Government. If there is different thinking in Russia and the UK, then we do not have any problem. We take note when they did not want ties and we will take note when they make relationship," he said.
Earlier this month, in a public appeal to the Obama administration, a group of powerful US lawmakers asked it not to change the "good policy" of denying visa to Modi under any circumstances in view of serious allegations of "crime against humanity" against him.
Comments(4)
Salman Khurshi-you and your crook and corrupt govt tried to do everything to tarnish not Modi's image but also of all Gujaratis. Gujaratis will never forgive you. Remember Gujarat has given the most patriotic leaders to the nation unlike you and your party leaders. Eventhough you and many like you are well educated you still have british colonized brains who can work like slave under the influence of illeterate foreigners. You and your party has ruined the image of India and created series of corruption blunders. You & your party believes in "DIVIDE & RUINS" modified version of Brits!
Posted by AMP at 12/21/2012 22:13 Reply to this Report abuse
Well-said AMP! If a national referendum is taken, it will be found that the majority of Indians prefer Narendra Modi to any of the Con party members, including the firangi! It is the Con party's arm FOIL which continues to foil Modi's visit to the USA. Most of the NRIs desire that Modi should visit US. But ofcourse, Modi himself doesn't care either way! There is an arrogance in Kurshid's attitude,just as there is in all Con party members.
Posted by Vijayalakshmi at 12/21/2012 23:16 Reply to this Report abuse
Nobody will believe Salman Khurshid after what he and his wife did in the name of handicapped people in UP.
Posted by n.r.singh at 12/21/2012 22:39 Reply to this Report abuse
By addressing NRIs across 12 cities in USA through video conferencing in May 2012 Narendra Modi has proved that the denial of Visa by US for political reasons can in no way deter his vision and mission in achieving an inclusive growth in his state without any religious or caste bias. When a celebrity Bollywood actor is detained by emigration officials in US, the ruling establishment, press and visual media are on toes and making all hue and cry, it is really surprising that India is shying to protest on this issue. Further, the reported statement of Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid in response to the Congressman Mr Joe Walsh to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, that the US Government reverse its 2005 decision quote ‘that it was a matter of concern that a question mark hung over someone who was heading a leading state in the country’ Unquote: is an obscure one with political colour.
Posted by ettirankandath krishnadas at 12/22/2012 05:58 Reply to this Report abuse