New Delhi: Qatar’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned Indian envoy Deepak Mittal in Doha and handed over to him an official note on what the Gulf country called “total rejection and condemnation” of the controversial remarks of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader against Prophet Mohammed.
A spokesperson of the Indian Embassy in Doha said that the Ambassador had a meeting in the Foreign Office in which concerns were raised with regard to some offensive tweets by individuals in India denigrating the religious personality, reported news agency PTI.
“Ambassador conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. These are the views of fringe elements,” the spokesperson said.
Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi earlier handed the note to the Ambassador of India, the ministry said.
The ministry welcomed the statement issued by the ruling party in India in which it announced the suspension of the party’s leader.
The ministry said Qatar is expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the Government of India.
The spokesperson of the Indian Embassy in Doha said “strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks”.
“In line with our civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity, Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions,” the official added.
The spokesperson noted that vested interests, which are against India-Qatar relations, have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments and said that the two sides should work together against such mischievous elements.
“Vested interests that are against India - Qatar relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments. We should work together against such mischievous elements who aim to undercut the strength of our bilateral ties,” the spokesperson said.
This development takes place as Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu is currently visiting Qatar.
Earlier in the day, Vice President Naidu met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani in Doha.