Let Them Come To India And Prove Their Point: Sitharaman's Reply To Query On 'Negative Western Perception,' 'Violence Against Muslims'

In response to a query about the “negative Western perception” of India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman encouraged potential investors to witness the situation firsthand instead of relying on hearsay propagated by individuals who lack actual on-ground experience.

During a conversation about the strength and expansion of the Indian economy at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), Sitharaman delivered her remarks.

"I would think the answer for that lies with those investors who are coming to India, and they've been coming. And as somebody who's interested in receiving investments, I would only say, come have a look at what's happening in India, rather than listen to perceptions being built by people who have not even visited on the ground and who produce reports," the Finance Minister said.

Sitharaman was asked about the reports in the Western press about MPs in the opposition party losing status, and about violence against Muslim minorities in India.

"India has the second-largest Muslim population in the world, and that population is only growing in numbers. If there is a perception, or if there's in reality, their lives are difficult or made difficult with the support of the state, which is what is implied in most of these write-ups, I would ask, will this happen in India in the sense, will the Muslim population be growing than what it was in 1947?" the Finance Minister responding to the question.

"As opposed to Pakistan, which was formed at the same time India was divided into two. Pakistan declared itself an Islamic country but however said minorities will be protected. Every minority has been dwindling in its number...decimated in Pakistan. Even some of the Muslim sects have also been decimated," said Sitharaman.

"Violence prevails against Muhajirs, Shia and every other group you can name which is not accepted by the mainstream. I don't know, Sunnis probably. Whereas in India you would find every strand of Muslims doing their business, their children getting educated. Fellowships are being given by the government," she added.

The Finance Minister denounced allegations of Muslims being victimized in India. "So across the board in India, if violence is happening to make Muslims get affected, itself is a fallacy as a statement. To say it's all the blame of the Government of India, I would want to say then, tell me, between 2014 and today, has the population dwindled?

"Have the deaths been disproportionately high in any one particular community? So, I would rather invite these people, who write these reports to come to India. I host them. Let them come to India and prove their point," she said.

The Finance Minister also called for fairness and progressiveness from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and urged it to hear all countries.

"I would love WTO to be more progressive, a lot more listening to all countries, and more fair. It has to give space to voices of the countries which have something different to say and not just hear but also somewhat heed," she added.