Mani Shankar Aiyar's statement calling Pakistanis 'biggest asset of India' sparks controversy
- In Reports
- 07:14 PM, Feb 12, 2024
- Myind Staff
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has stirred controversy anew by referring to Pakistanis as the "biggest asset of India" and reiterating a call for the opening of communication channels between the two nations. Aiyar made these remarks while addressing an event in Lahore.
Speaking at the Faiz Festival in Lahore, former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar expressed his affection for Pakistan and its people. He fondly recalled his time as consul general in Karachi, emphasizing the warm hospitality he and his wife received.
Former Union Minister, speaking at the Faiz Festival's session titled 'Hijr Ki Rakh, Visaal Kay Phool, Indo-Pak Affairs' on the second day at Alhamra in Lahore, expressed his deep affection for Pakistan and its people.
He remarked that he had never experienced such a warm welcome in any other country as he did in Pakistan. Recollecting his tenure as consul general in Karachi, the former diplomat fondly remembered how everyone took care of him and his wife during their stay.
The Pakistani newspaper reported that the Congress leader also recalled his tenure as Consul General in Lahore, expressing gratitude for the hospitality extended to him and his wife by the local community.
He also discussed his book, 'Memoirs of a Maverick' wherein he highlighted various incidents illustrating Pakistan differently from the perceptions held by Indians.
The Congress leader also restated the importance of ongoing dialogue between civil societies in Pakistan and India, emphasizing the need for businessmen, students, and academics to maintain interactions outside of official government channels. He suggested that such engagements could bypass governmental restrictions and contribute to fostering understanding and cooperation between the two nations.
Less than two weeks after a complaint was filed against the Congress leader's daughter, Suranya Aiyar, for a social media post criticizing the January 22 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a fresh controversy has arisen.
Suranya Aiyar announced on Facebook her intention to observe a three-day fast starting from January 22 in solidarity with the "Muslims of India". She expressed her opposition to actions she perceived as being carried out "in the name of Hinduism and nationalism in Ayodhya".
Image source: NDTV
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