India worried over Malaysian row: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has voiced concern over the developments in Malaysia amid mounting demands for action.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: In a guarded reaction to the alleged mistreatment of ethnic Indians in Malaysia, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday voiced concern over the developments amid mounting demands for action.
External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee told Parliament that he would be raising with Kuala Lumpur the issue of adverse comments against Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi by a Malaysian minister after the DMK leader reacted to the police action on ethnic Indian protesters in the East Asian country.
Mr Singh said the government is concerned whenever Indian citizens and people of Indian origin are in trouble anywhere in the world. “This is a matter which concerns us. Whenever people of India run into difficulties, it is a source of concern,” Mr Singh told reporters here when asked to comment on the developments in Malaysia. He, however, refused to speak further on the issue, saying Parliament was in session.
Mr Singh was asked to comment at a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, who is
the current President of European Union, after their talks. The issue of alleged ill-treatment of ethnic Indians in Malaysia has rocked Parliament with political parties demanding that the government should take up the matter with Kuala Lumpur.
Responding to the concern, external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee made a statement in both Houses of Parliament, noting that the government remained “deeply solicitous” for the welfare of people of Indian origin living abroad.
Mr Mukherjee said some members had expressed concern regarding the alleged harassment of participants of the rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force in Kuala Lumpur on November 25 and subsequent developments. The protesters were seeking the support of Queen Elizabeth II for a class action suit filed in the UK for the exploitation of Indians who were brought to Malaysia as indentured labour.
External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee told Parliament that he would be raising with Kuala Lumpur the issue of adverse comments against Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi by a Malaysian minister after the DMK leader reacted to the police action on ethnic Indian protesters in the East Asian country.
Mr Singh said the government is concerned whenever Indian citizens and people of Indian origin are in trouble anywhere in the world. “This is a matter which concerns us. Whenever people of India run into difficulties, it is a source of concern,” Mr Singh told reporters here when asked to comment on the developments in Malaysia. He, however, refused to speak further on the issue, saying Parliament was in session.
Mr Singh was asked to comment at a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, who is
the current President of European Union, after their talks. The issue of alleged ill-treatment of ethnic Indians in Malaysia has rocked Parliament with political parties demanding that the government should take up the matter with Kuala Lumpur.
Responding to the concern, external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee made a statement in both Houses of Parliament, noting that the government remained “deeply solicitous” for the welfare of people of Indian origin living abroad.
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“We have friendly relations with Malaysia and we are in touch with the Malaysian authorities in the related matter,” Mr Mukherjee said. “Certain observations have been made against respected leader Karunanidhi. I am in touch with the Malaysian government and we are taking it up,” he said.Mr Mukherjee said some members had expressed concern regarding the alleged harassment of participants of the rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force in Kuala Lumpur on November 25 and subsequent developments. The protesters were seeking the support of Queen Elizabeth II for a class action suit filed in the UK for the exploitation of Indians who were brought to Malaysia as indentured labour.
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