Image via Twitter
PM Modi has come under fire from secular forces, this time for awkward body language while embracing the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan.
Nitish Kumar was one of the first to tear into Modi, berating him for not going the distance. “While I grudgingly give Modi some grace marks for visiting the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque, overall grade is fail. He appeared very stiff and uncomfortable while hugging Shri al Nahyan ji. Where was the warmth and affection? Is this how a secular leader behaves with a very special friend of India?” the CM of Bihar scoffed.
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh was more charitable, saying, “At least [Modi] stared into the crown prince’s eyes for a few seconds. A good sign, but miles to go.”
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra repudiated the charges, asserting that the PM and the Abu Dhabi crown prince had enjoyed very good chemistry. “Modi ji and Nahyan ji were on first name terms, with Modi ji even occasionally referring to the crown prince as ‘my Shahzada’,” Patra revealed.
“Modi ji did not don the skull cap, of course, but he definitely did sport traditional Arab headgear and rode on a camel along with the crown prince as part of his efforts to cement Indo-UAE ties. The highpoint of the summit was of course the selfie he took with the sheikhs of UAE,” Patra added.