European Union welcomes PM Modi's statement on protecting religious freedom

NEW DELHI: The European Union on Wednesday welcomed PM Narendra Modi's statement on safeguarding religious freedom in country and noted that his remarks were "entirely in line with the Indian constitution".

A day after Modi's first statement on religious freedom in India EU ambassador to India Joao Cravinho said that Modi's remarks were "upholding the basic principles of freedom of religion, were very welcome and unremarkable".

He pointed out that Modi's remarks are "entirely in line with the Indian constitution, and it is not surprising he made the remarks". This is the first international reaction endorsing Modi's comments.

Cravinho was speaking to a select group of media ahead of Modi's visit to Brussels in April where the PM will meet the EU leadership for the first time. The two sides are also planning if Brussels can host India-EU Summit coinciding with the visit.

"We welcome PM's remarks because we know very well there are elements of discordance resulting from radical statements by different groups and it is important for leaders to be aware of the explosive potential of religious divisiveness and communal conflicts, and PM Modi's statements were highlighting such concern," he said.