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India’s National Security Advisor hails harmony among diverse cultures and religions and significance of Islam in the country
NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval delivered a key speech at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, emphasising the long-standing harmony among diverse cultures and religions in India.
During the event, which also featured a speech by Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the secretary general of the Muslim World League, Doval praised the importance of Islam and highlighted the strong ties between India and Saudi Arabia.
Doval lauded Al-Issa as a respected global voice of moderate Islam, recognising his profound scholarly knowledge and understanding of the religion.
Speaking about the excellent relations between India and Saudi Arabia, Doval pointed out that these bonds were deeply rooted in shared cultural heritage, common values, and robust economic ties. He further emphasised that the leaders of both nations possess a shared vision for the future and maintain close interactions.
“Our leaders share a common vision for the future and have been closely interacting with each other,” the NSA said.
During his address, Doval reiterated India’s exceptional ability to accommodate its citizens, regardless of their religious, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds, emphasising the country’s inclusive democracy. He highlighted India’s longstanding tradition of being a melting pot, where diverse cultures, religions, languages, and ethnicities have coexisted harmoniously for centuries.
“In your (Al-Issa) talk, you elaborately mentioned diversity as a fundamental trait of our existence. It (India) has been a melting pot of cultures, religions, languages and ethnicities that have co-existed in harmony for centuries. As an inclusive democracy, India has successfully managed to provide space for all its citizens regardless of their religious, ethnic and cultural identities,” Doval said.
Doval specifically praised the significant position of Islam within India’s religious landscape, recognising the country as home to the world’s second-largest Muslim population. He provided a staggering comparison, stating that India’s Muslim population is almost equal to the combined population of more than 33 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“Amongst its numerous religious groups, Islam occupies a unique and significant position of pride, with India being home to the second largest Muslim population in the world,” he said.
“To give an idea of the scale we are talking about, India’s Muslim population is almost equal to the combined population of over 33 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),” Doval added.
