Exchanges between each nations’ overseas ministers, I’d say that we would want to put an end to this episode as a result of authorities representing Government of India had spoken and we’re heartened by these assurances, says Simon Wong, Singapore High Commissioner to India.
Singapore High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong on Wednesday mentioned that they would want to put an end to the episode the place Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made some irresponsible remarks a few Singapore pressure of coronavirus however failed to verify truth, including they have been pleased with the response of the Indian authorities that Delhi CM doesn’t speak for India.
“We were happy to see EAM Dr Jaishankar had put 3 points that Singapore and India are solid partners in the fight against Covid, that Delhi CM doesn’t speak for India, and that the comments made were irresponsible,” Singapore High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong talked about.
“Exchanges between both countries’ foreign ministers, I would say that we would wish to put an end to this episode because authorities representing Government of India had spoken and we are heartened by those assurances,” Simon Wong mentioned.
“In Singapore, we have Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act (POFMA) to mitigate misinformation & we reserve right to invoke POFMA on assertions made by CM (Delhi). However, we’re satisfied with Government of India’s clarification,” Simon Wong added.
“It (Delhi CM’s remarks) would not impact our (India-Singapore) hand-in-hand fight against Covid. As witnessed yesterday and today with transportation of medical aid, we’re working together. Pandemic knows no boundary or political colour,” Simon Wong talked about.
“This morning, we invited High Commissioner Kumaran to express concern that prominent figure in Delhi failed to ascertain facts before making claims. Following meeting, MEA spokesperson pointed Delhi CM has no competence to pronounce on Covid variant,” Wong mentioned.
What’s the controversy
The Centre had lashed out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for his irresponsible allegations in opposition to Singapore over the virulent variant of Coronavirus that has hit India.
The reprimand in opposition to Kejriwal got here after Singapore overseas minister Vivian Balakrishnan objected to the Delhi chief minister’s tweet. Kejriwal had tweeted in Hindi on Tuesday that the “new variant of Coronavirus in Singapore is reported to be extremely dangerous for children. In India, it may come as a third wave.” He appealed to the Centre to “suspend air services with Singapore immediately and vaccinate children on priority.”
To this, Balakrishnan responded, quoting Kejriwal, “Politicians should stick to facts! There is no “Singapore variant”.”
Separately, an announcement from Singapore’s ministry of overseas affairs had mentioned, “MFA regrets the unfounded assertions made on Facebook and Twitter by chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal that a variant of Covid-19 found in Singapore was particularly harmful to children and could cause a third wave of infections in India.”
“MFA is disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims. MFA met the High Commissioner of India PÂ Kumaran this morning to express these concerns. As highlighted by MOH in its press release of 18 May 2021, there is no “Singapore variant”. The strain prevalent in many of the Covid-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected in India.”
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi knowledgeable on Twitter that the Singapore authorities had referred to as in India’s excessive commissioner right this moment to convey its sturdy objection to Delhi CM’s tweet on the ‘Singapore variant’. “High commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy,” he tweeted.
Jumping in to do the harm management, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar additionally tweeted tagging Vivian Balakrishnan, “Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19. Appreciate Singapore’s role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship.”
He additional censured Kejriwal saying, “However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify-Delhi CM does not speak for India.”
ALSO READ |Â Delhi CM doesn’t speak for India’, says S Jaishankar as Singapore objects to Kejriwal’s remark
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