Singapore PM praises Nehru and mentions criminal cases against Indian MPs; irks Indian Government

The Ministry of External Affaires (MEA) is irked that Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned in his parliament that over half of the Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (in India) face criminal accusations, including rape and murder. In the same speech, Loong praised India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

The MEA has raised objections to the remarks by the Singapore Prime Minister and has taken up the matter with the Singapore High Commissioner in New Delhi. The MEA said that Loong's remarks were 'uncalled for'.

Participating in a debate in the Singapore Parliament two days ago, Loong had said, “The politics around the globe is changing and people's trust in the political class is dwindling. The electorate has started accepting it and believe that this is the new norm and nothing better can be expected. As a result, standards are lowered, confidence is destroyed, and the country suffers more.”

Loong was speaking during a debate on the Committee of Privileges' report on complaints about untruths told by former Workers' Party lawmaker Raeesah Khan. “Nehru's India has become one in which, according to media sources, over half of the Lok Sabha MPs face criminal accusations, including rape and murder. Though many of these claims are claimed to be politically motivated," Loong had said.