Queensland University of Technology apologises for distorted Indian map at an event for PM Narendra Modi

BRISBANE: Queensland University of Technology (QUT) tonight apologised for displaying a distorted map of India during an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

The Indian map, which was displayed during the event had Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, which India lays claim to and is part of the official Indian map, missing, prompting a strong protest by Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

Asserting that the Government takes the issue of distortion of maps of India "seriously", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, "India's Foreign Secretary raised the issue strongly and received an unqualified apology."

He also said that the scientists and the staff at the QTU apparently did not realise the cartographic error.

Within hours after his arrival following an overnight flight from Myanmar, Modi headed for the QUT for the first engagement of his five-day Australia visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 28 years after Rajiv Gandhi.