National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday said India has been a melting pot of cultures and religions that have co-existed in harmony for centuries, and Islam occupies a unique and significant “position of pride” amongst the religious groups in the country.
Doval’s remarks came during an event here at the India Islamic Cultural Centre where Muslim World League Secretary General Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who is on an India visit, also addressed the gathering.
Doval hailed Al-Issa as an authentic global voice of moderate Islam and a profound scholar with a deep understanding of Islam.
Hailing the “excellent” relations between India and Saudi Arabia, Doval the ties were rooted in shared cultural heritage, common values and economic ties.
“Our leaders share a common vision for the future and have been closely interacting with each other,” the National Security Advisor said.
In his remarks, Doval said India as the world’s largest democracy and the mother of democracies is a land of incredible diversity.
“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,” he said.
“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.
In his speech at the event, Dr Sheikh Al Issa appreciated the history and diversity of India. “The need of the hour is to establish communication between cultures. Diversity promotes good relationship between cultures. I have many friends in the Hindu community. Tolerance needs to become a part of our lives.”
“India, despite being a Hindu majority nation, has a secular Constitution. We have many common values with many Hindu leaders. I deeply respect Sadhguru and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. We know the Muslim component is an important component of India’s diversity. Indian Muslims are proud of being Indians,” he added.
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