Iran has changed the version of its Foreign Minister’s meeting on Thursday with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in Delhi by pulling down an earlier press statement.
Earlier, the Iranian statement claimed that its Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian had been told by NSA Ajit Doval that those who made the controversial remarks against the Prophet “would be taught a lesson”. This line no longer finds mention on the Iranian foreign ministry website.
The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said that the Prophet remarks were never raised in discussions with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. “We have made it pretty clear the tweets and comments do not convey the views of the government. This has been conveyed to our interlocutors as also the fact that action has been taken by the concerned quarters against those who made the comments and tweets. I really do not have anything additional to say on this,” the official said.
News agencies had earlier quoted an Iranian readout as saying Mr Abdollahian raised the issue of the “negative atmosphere” triggered by “disrespectful” comments on the Prophet and that the Indian side reiterated the Ingovernment’s respect for the founder of Islam.
The readout, said the Iranian foreign minister also referred to the historical friendship between the followers of various religions
in the country.
“Abdollahian hailed the Indian people and government for their respect for the divine faiths, especially the Prophet Mohammad and also for the religious tolerance, historical coexistence and friendship among followers of various religions in the country,” the readout said.
The Iranian foreign minister said, “Muslims are satisfied with the stance of Indian officials in dealing with the culprits.”
Iran’s IRNA news agency quoted Mr Abdollahian as saying ahead of the talks that his trip to India is taking place in a situation in which a member of a party “insulted” Prophet Muhammad in an arbitrary act.He said India has “constantly followed up peaceful coexistence and tried to live in peace and tranquillity” and noted that “Muslims cannot tolerate the sacrilege of the Prophet of Islam at all,” according to IRNA.