Delhi CM does not speak for India: Jaishankar amid row over “Singapore variant”

Team Udayavani, May 19, 2021, 12:34 PM IST

New Delhi: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday termed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s remark on “Singapore variant” of Covid-19 as ‘irresponsible’.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar stated, “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. 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.”

Earlier, the MEA spokesperson had said that the Singapore government strongly objected to Kejriwal’s remark. “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,” the spokesperson said.

On Tuesday, Kejriwal in a tweet appealed the Centre to cancel all flights from Singapore citing that the new strain of coronavirus could invade India in the form of a third wave.

“The new form of coronavirus in Singapore is said to be very dangerous for children. It could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave. My appeal to the Central government: 1. Cancel all air services with Singapore with immediate effect 2. Work on vaccine alternatives for children on a priority basis,” he tweeted.

Singapore however dismissed Delhi Chief Minister’s tweet on a “Singapore variant” of Covid-19, saying there is no truth whatsoever in such assertions.