India does not practise disinformation campaigns, asserts MEA

New Delhi: Close on the heels of a report by a group under European Union that at least 10 NGOs have been indulging in campaigns to suit India’s interests, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said, “As a responsible democracy, India does not practice disinformation campaigns”.

“Disinformation is practised particularly by those who have records to hide such as sheltering international wanted terrorists including Osama-bin-Laden. And seek unsuccessfully to cover up their own tracks such as on the 26/11 Mumbai attack,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava told reporters taking a jibe at Pakistan.

“In fact, if you are looking at disinformation, the best example is the country next door which is circulating fictional and fabricated dossiers and purveys a regular stream of fake news,” he asserted.

The strong remarks came in reference to media reports in which it has been attributed that the EU Disinfo Lab has claimed to have identified over 10 NGOs accredited to the United Nations Human Rights Council, which are apparently being managed by one Srivastava Group.

Accredited to UNHRC, an organisation has been making “pro-Indian and anti-Pakistan” oral interventions and also indulging in activities to ‘undermine Pakistan’ at the Human Rights Council, the reports said.

On matters related to ‘joint release’ of commemorative stamps to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China, he said, there had been “no discussion” on any launch date with any Chinese authorities for this activity lately.

“We have also seen the Chinese embassy’s tweet suggesting that this event was cancelled by the Chinese side on account of no feedback given by the Indian side before the launch time agreed by both,” Anurag Srivastava said adding, – “this is factually incorrect”.

“It may also be noted that the launch of the 70th anniversary celebrations itself has not taken place yet, and therefore, the issue of going ahead with joint activities under its ambit does not arise,” he said.

On recent remarks from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Indo-Pacific, Anurag Srivastava said, “India has always pursued an independent foreign policy based on its national interest. India’s relationship with each country is independent of its relations with third countries”.

“We have seen the comments of the Russian Foreign Minister on India as part of his remarks during the general meeting of the Russian International Affairs Council on 8 December 2020. India enjoys long-standing relations with Russia characterized by a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. This year marks the 20th anniversary of our strategic partnership with Russia. Our relations with Russia stand on their own merits including in the sphere of Military Technical Cooperation”.

As unequivocally outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at the Shrangi-La dialogue in June 2018, he said, “India does not see the Indo-Pacific region as a strategy or as a club of limited members or as a grouping that seeks to dominate. It is not directed against any country”.

He asserted: “It stands for a free, open and inclusive region” and maintained – “We hope that this is well understood and appreciated by all our partners”.

Taking a potshot at the United States, Russian Minister has said recently that the Western world is now pushing India to play a prominent role in “anti-China” policies such as the Indo-Pacific and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.