Singapore foreign minister slams Arvind Kejriwal, 'there is no Singapore variant, stick to facts’
By Anish Kumar | First Published May 19, 2021, 12:59 PM ISTAfter Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal requested the Central government to suspend flights to and from Singapore with immediate effect, the Singaporean government called in Indian High Commissioner and registered a strong protest.
New Delhi: The government on Wednesday said that Delhi Chief Minister does not speak for India and appreciated Singapore’s role in its fight against the second wave of Covid.
After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal requested the Central government to suspend flights to and from Singapore with immediate effect, the Singaporean government called in Indian High Commissioner and registered a strong protest.
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“Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on "Singapore variant". High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.
In a social media post, the chief minister had hinted that the alleged new strain could mark the advent of the third wave of Covid-19 in the country.
“The new form of Covid-19 that has come to Singapore is being said to be extremely dangerous for children. In India, it may come as a third wave,” Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.
“My appeal to the Central government: 1. Air services with Singapore be cancelled with immediate effect 2. Priority on vaccine options should be worked out for children too,” he added.
However, the Singaporean government refuted his claim and said that the Chief Minister had failed to ascertain the facts.
“We regret unfounded assertions made on Facebook and Twitter by Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal that a variant of COVID-19 found in Singapore was particularly harmful to children and could cause a third wave of infections in India,” Singapore Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“We are disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims. MFA met the High Commissioner of India P Kumaran this morning to express these concerns,” it said.
Taking to twitter, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, “Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19. Appreciate Singapore's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship. @VivianBala.”
“However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify- Delhi CM does not speak for India,” he added.
In a response to Jaishankar, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishanan said, “Thanks @DrSJaishankar let’s focus on resolving the situation in our respective countries and helping one another. Nobody is safe until everyone is safe.”
He also reminded Kejriwal of sticking to the facts. “Politicians should stick to facts! There is no “Singapore variant,” Balakrishnan said.
Note: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
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