The Indonesian Foreign Ministry\’s Move To Sentence Two Indian BJP Leaders

Meutaya Hafid Chairman of Committee I of the House of Representatives.

backed the government’s move through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenlu RI), which is headed by two politicians from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). .condemns the statements. Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal.

As you know, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry has been criticized at the forum of the bilateral meeting of Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and the Indian Foreign Minister during the Special Meeting of Indian and ASEAN Foreign Ministers (SAIFMM). Recently held in New Delhi. ,

“I call on the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue to monitor and investigate insults to Islam, both bilaterally and multilaterally,” Meutiya Hafid said in a written statement on Saturday (June 18, 2022) in Jakarta.

A politician from the Golkar party also sees the lack of focus on the bilateral relations between Indonesia and India, which have been going well so far, in the statements made by the two BJP politicians.

According to Meutia Hafid, bilateral relations and cooperation between Indonesia and India are built on a shared vision of respect for human rights, including mutual respect among followers of the religion.

“I believe that respect for religion and belief is the foundation that must be laid in bilateral relations and international relations. This foundation should be a parameter for the future of Indonesia-India relations and cooperation,” he stressed.

The lawmaker, who is also a former journalist, assessed that the religious insult case, allegedly carried out by two BJP leaders, has damaged international relations, particularly with Islamic or Muslim-majority countries like India.

Criticism of the Indonesian Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi attends the meeting of Indian and ASEAN Foreign Ministers in New Delhi, India.

During the meeting, Retno expressed his concern and criticism of Indonesia over statements by two Indian politicians that insult Muslims.

Retno said on Friday (September 17, 2022) via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs YouTube channel: “I conveyed my concerns and criticisms to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India, particularly regarding the statements by two BJP leaders that insult the Prophet Mohammed.”

Retno said the Indian foreign minister clarified that the statements made by the two politicians do not reflect the position of the BJP party and not the government’s position at all.

“The Indian Foreign Minister has made it clear that these two leaders have been removed from their posts and expelled from the party,” he said.

Retno said the Indian foreign minister also detailed the BJP’s position on the incident, namely respect for all religions, strong opposition to insults to religion and strong opposition to ideologies that insult or demean certain religions.

“I reiterate what was said at the meeting of India-ASEAN foreign ministers about the importance of further developing a culture of tolerance and mutual respect,” he said.

According to Retno, friendship and cooperation can only be strengthened by respecting each other’s differences, including religious ones.