AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he received Uzbekistan’s highest honour for foreign leaders, while taking a swipe at the BJP and RSS over their references to Mughal emperor Babur.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev conferred the ‘Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order’ on Modi during his visit to Uzbekistan. Modi dedicated the award to the longstanding friendship between India and Uzbekistan.
Reacting to the honour, Owaisi said, “I congratulate the BJP; the very country from which Babur came to India has conferred an award upon the Prime Minister. The Fergana Valley is in Uzbekistan.”
Owaisi targets BJP, RSS over Babur references
Owaisi said Modi had been receiving honours during his foreign visits and used the Uzbekistan award to question the BJP’s past references to Babur.
“Wherever the Prime Minister goes these days, he returns with an award. Congratulations,” Owaisi said.
He added, “You used to hurl so many insults in Babur’s name, yet the people of that very country are now honouring you with an award.”
Owaisi also urged the Sangh Parivar and RSS supporters to reconsider how they speak about Babur.
“The Sangh needs to reflect on this… We hope that members of the Sangh Parivar and RSS supporters will no longer speak of Babur in that manner,” he said.
Modi dedicates award to India-Uzbekistan ties
Modi thanked Uzbekistan for the honour and said it represented the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
“Honoured to receive the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order. I dedicate this to the enduring bond between India and Uzbekistan,” Modi said.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the award recognised Modi’s contribution to strengthening friendship between India and Uzbekistan.
During his two-day visit, Modi held talks with President Mirziyoyev. The two countries agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and set a target of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in trade, investment, digital infrastructure, defence, healthcare, critical minerals, agriculture, education and tourism.
Modi arrives in Kyrgyzstan for SCO summit
After concluding his Uzbekistan visit, Modi travelled to Kyrgyzstan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on August 31 and September 1.
He is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
