India on Thursday launched a vehement reaction following a scandalous comment of the country as a hellhole emerged in a social media repost attributed to former US President Donald Trump. The comment was described as uninformed, inappropriate and in bad taste by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which also emphasized the fact that it did not represent the reality of India-US relations.
The emergence occurs when bilateral relations between the two countries remain to be a key factor in defence, trade, and technology.
MEA Reacts, Stresses on Good Bilateral Relations
The ministry of external affairs issued a statement that it noted both the commentaries and the clarification made by the US Embassy.
The ministry emphasized that these remarks are not reflective of the larger relationship that exists between India and the United States and this has been based on mutual respect and interests.
Authorities further emphasized that the relationship between the two nations has grown stronger over time with both nations collaborating in various aspects, such as defence, trade, as well as international relations.
What started the Controversy?
The row was initiated following a repost by Trump that contained comments by conservative commentator Michael Savage, who used the term when discussing US birthright citizenship.
Savage was in the debate, where he derided immigration policies and made generalizations about nations such as India and China. The video soon became popular, attracting criticism and diplomacy.
The problem was compounded because of the circumstances of the statements, which were perceived to be directed towards immigrants and cast doubt on international opinions.
US Side Clarification
After the backlash, a clarification was made in the US embassy in New Delhi. The quote attributed Trump saying India is a great country and talking about its leadership positively.
The explanation was not however effective in fully quelling the response, with the initial comments still remaining rampant on social media.
In one of the media briefings, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal did not want to go into the matter in-depth saying that the government had heard some reports.
Greater Context Diplomacy vs Political Rhetoric
The episode emphasizes the fine line between political rhetoric and diplomatic relations. Although single comments or re-posting may provoke controversy, the statements of the official government are usually designed to preserve bilateral relationships.
The relationship between India and the United States is multi-layered, encompassing strategic defence relations, to economic and people-to people relations. Such incidents are sensitive and experts believe that such incidents are unlikely to undermine long term relations.
Continued Emphasis on Strategic Partnership
Nevertheless, the two countries remain involved in dealing closely on global and regional matters despite the controversy. The Indian side focus is on maintaining the power of the relationship and dealing with issues decisively where necessary.
The event is a reminder of how the socialization on social media can easily turn into the diplomatic issue and this is particularly true in terms of global politics and international relations.
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