Key Points
Diplomats highlight India's religious diversity and global cooperation
Gambia praises India's vaccine aid during Covid
Sudan marks 70 years of diplomatic ties with India
Zambia commends India's infrastructure support in Africa
Mustapha Jawara, High Commissioner of Gambia to India, emphasised the importance of Iftar for the Muslim community, stating, "Iftar is important to us as Muslims. It is a period when we break our fasts...We are very grateful for 'Sadbhavna Iftar'." Reflecting on India's support during the pandemic, he acknowledged, "During Covid, India donated to us a lot of vaccines, which saved a lot of lives. We are grateful to the Prime Minister and the government...PM Modi is the leader of the global south."
Speaking at the event, Mohamed Ali Fazari, Counsellor at the Embassy of Sudan, underscored India's role as a model of peaceful coexistence. "India always reflects the diversity in religions, culture, traditions and peaceful coexistence of minorities," he said. Highlighting Sudan's longstanding diplomatic ties with India, he added, "The relationship between Sudan and India is very strong. Next October, we will be celebrating seventy years of establishing diplomatic ties between Sudan and India. India established good relations with African countries."
Oday Hatim Mohammed, Counsellor at the Embassy of Iraq, praised India's pluralism, stating, "India is a multilingual, multireligious nation which gives India more power...All the people of India are collectively working for 'Viksit Bharat'...India and Iraq enjoy a very good relationship with each other...PM Modi is a clever man."
Brenda, Second Secretary (Finance) from Zambia, highlighted the significance of the Iftar in fostering cultural exchange. "Hosting the Iftar is a special move for the culture exchange. Zambia and India share very good bilateral ties. We have developed a lot of infrastructure in Zambia with the help of the Indian government. PM Modi has taken the lead in making sure that in the next G20, most nations of Africa will be part of it. Countries with low incomes will also benefit a lot from it."
Co-founder of the Indian Minorities Foundation, Prof. Himani Sood, emphasised the spirit of harmony behind the event. "In the auspicious month of Ramadan, we celebrated Iftar with various ambassadors of Muslim countries coming together and celebrating the thought of our Prime Minister--Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayaas. Today, people from all over the world celebrated harmony, communal spirit, and togetherness. We all celebrated with Iftar the joy and harmony that Bharat is creating in the world. Today, all of them supported the cause of our honourable Prime Minister of keeping this world together and happy."
