Washington: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has found a logic in the growing Muslim population to counter the perception that the minority community in India is being persecuted on the basis of religion.
When asked by the US think tank Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) in Washington DC whether reports of increased attacks on the Muslim community in India have an impact on economic inflow, Sitharaman replied by citing the population growth of Indian Muslims in comparison to the minority population growth in Pakistan.
She said while in India, the Muslim population is growing which is not possible if the reality was otherwise, in Pakistan the numbers are dwindling.
According to a report by PTI, Sitharaman claimed that the belief that there is widespread violence against Muslims in India is false. She argued that law and order are handled differently by each province and its respective police, which are under the control of their elected governments. This indicates that the reports about the situation in India lack an understanding of the country's diverse law enforcement systems, the Finance Minister added.
When asked about the potential impact of negative Western perceptions of India on investments in the country, Nirmala Sitharaman urged potential investors to visit India and see for themselves what is happening rather than relying on reports produced by people who have not even visited the country. She emphasized the importance of first-hand experience and understanding of the situation on the ground, rather than relying on preconceived notions and hearsay.
While discussing measures to boost India's manufacturing sector and increase its participation in global trade, the Finance Minister emphasized the need for more transparency in the process of globalization. She clarified that the objective is not to reverse the gains of globalization but to ensure greater clarity and fairness in the system.
For a long time, India has been striving to grow its manufacturing sector, and the country has the potential to produce many goods that it currently imports as final consumer products. However, price competitiveness often drives Indian consumers to opt for cheaper imported goods instead of domestic products that could be manufactured in India.
The Finance Minister acknowledged this challenge but also noted that Indian consumers now have greater purchasing power and are increasingly willing to buy domestically-produced goods. She expressed hope that this trend will create new opportunities for India's manufacturing sector and boost the country's economic growth.