On Prophet Row, Iran Deletes, Then Doubles Down On Ajit Doval Quote
NDTV
Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian is the first big visitor from Iran days after the country joined Kuwait, Qatar and other Gulf nations in condemning the Prophet comments.
After the Iran Foreign Ministry took down a statement on its Foreign Minister's claims on discussions in Delhi on the Prophet comments row, an Iran government website has put up a similar statement quoting National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval as saying action against the BJP leaders who made the controversial comments on Prophet Muhammad would be a "lesson for others". Pleased to meet PM Modi, FM Jaishankar & other Indian officials to advance our bilateral strategic dialogue.Tehran & New Delhi agree on the need to respect divine religions & Islamic sanctities & to avoid divisive statements.???????????????? determined to bring relations to new heights.
The new statement, describing a meeting between Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Ajit Doval, quoted the NSA as "reiterating the respect of the Indian government and officials for the Holy Prophet, saying that it will be treated as a lesson for others".
It said Mr Doval "stressed the need for comprehensive expansion of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and India" and "expressed the Indian Government readiness to develop relations at all levels in bilateral, multilateral, regional and international dimensions".
On Thursday, Iran's Foreign Ministry website had pulled down a readout that claimed that its Foreign Minister had been told by Mr Doval that those who made the controversial remarks against the Prophet "would be taught a lesson".
