Abbott said there has been endless inquiries into this and Mr Modi has always been cleared
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Australian Counterpart Tony Abbott, during their meeting in New Delhi on Friday. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi:Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said that PM Narendra Modi should not be blamed for the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat that happened when he was the Chief Minister as “endless enquiries” have cleared him.
“My understanding is that there has been endless inquiries into this and Mr Modi has always been cleared. That certainly is good enough for me,” Mr Abbott who is on a two-day visit to India said in a TV interview.
Mr Abbott said, “I don’t believe the presiding officer should be blamed just because something terrible happens in the country over which he is presiding.”
Describing India as a “first class international citizen,” the Australian Prime Minister said he wants his country to be the source of energy for India.
Mr Abbott handed over to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi two antique statues of Hindu deities which were allegedly stolen from temples in Tamil Nadu before being bought by art galleries in Australia.
During his meeting with Modi, Abbott returned the idols, one of which is a Nataraja, the dancing Shiva which belonged to the Chola dynasty of 11th-12th century.The other sculpture is of Ardhanariswara, which represents Shiva in half-female form, and dates back to the 10th century.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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