Sitharaman counters 'Western' perception about Muslims in India

Indian finance minister Narmala Sitharaman on Monday gave a bold reply to the negative Western 'perception' of India at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) in Washington, where she was discussing the resilience and growth of the Indian economy. "Foreign investments have kept coming to India. I would tell the prospective investors to come & look at what's happening in India rather than listening to perceptions being built by people who've not visited the ground but writing reports," she said.

Foreign investments have kept coming to India. I would tell the prospective investors to come & look at what's happening in India rather than listening to perceptions being built by people who've not visited the ground but writing reports.

- Smt @nsitharaman at @PIIE. (1/n) pic.twitter.com/UFzek2yd5i

— NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) April 11, 2023

Replying to a question,Sitharaman claimed that Muslims in India are doing much better than the Muslims living in Pakistan."India has the second-largest Muslim population in the world, and that population is only growing in numbers. If there is a perception, or if there's in reality, their lives are difficult or made difficult with the support of the state, which is what is implied in most of these write-ups, I would ask, will this happen in India in the sense, will the Muslim population be growing than what it was in 1947?" said the Finance Minister.The condition of minorities is worsening in Pakistan and their numbers are declining by the day. Minorities in Pakistan are severely charged with minor allegations, leading to punishments like the death penalty. Blasphemy laws, in most cases, are used to fulfill a personal vendetta. Victims are immediately presumed guilty, even without proper investigation and holding the trial under a jury.

Every minority has been dwindling in its number.....decimated in Pakistan. Even some of the Muslim sects have also been decimated, said Ms Sitharaman. "Violence prevails against Muhajirs, Shia and every other group you can name which is not accepted by the mainstream. I don't know, Sunnis probably. Whereas in India you would find every strand of Muslims doing their business, their children getting educated. Fellowships are being given by the government," she added.