Hamid Ansari is under fire for remarks made at overseas forum 
New Delhi: Days after former Vice President Hamid Ansari participated in an event by IAMC on Republic Day, an organisation that tried to get India blacklisted by the US, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the track record of organisers is as well-known as biases, political interests of participants.
Saying that India is a vibrant democracy and does not require certification from others, the MEA said the claim that others need to protect the Indian Constitution is presumptuous and preposterous.
Ansari, while addressing the Indian American Muslim Council program, had reportedly said, “Hindu nationalism is a matter of concern. People are being divided into religious lines in the country. Controversy is being created among the people regarding nationality.”
Ansari further said, “Especially people of a particular religion are being instigated. Intolerance is being fueled and an atmosphere of insecurity is being created in the country.”
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‘Next round of India-China border talks should be held at the earliest’
On the Sino-India border talks, the MEA said that the 14th round of the India-China commander-level meeting was held on January 12 this year and the next round of talks should be held at the earliest.
In the last talk, the two sides agreed that resolution of remaining issues would help in the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC, he said.
“To enable progress in bilateral ties, the two sides agreed to stay in close contact, maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest,” the MEA spokesperson added.
‘India and Russia have a special strategic partnership’
On America’s displeasure over India’s purchase of the S-400 missile system, the MEA said that New Delhi and Washington have a comprehensive global strategic partnership while New Delhi and Moscow have a special strategic partnership.
We pursue an independent foreign policy and this also applies to our defence acquisitions, he added.
On Khalistan protests in US and Milan, the MEA said that radical elements are trying to vandalize diplomatic premises abroad and there was an attempt to desecrate Gandhi statue in Washington DC.
The Indian government has raised the issue with respective host governments and called for action, the spokesperson said.
Stop violation of human rights in Balochistan: MEA to Pak
India also appealed to Pakistan authorities to stop the violation of human rights in Balochistan and said that GOI is committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
The process to procure the wheat and to arrange its transportation is underway, the MEA spokesperson added.
On the Ukraine crisis, the MEA said that India has been closely following the developments in Ukraine, including the high-level discussion between Russia and US.
“We call for a peaceful resolution for long term stability and peace in the region and beyond,” Bagchi said.