Maharashtra: Shinde Slams Pakistan Over PM Modi’s Cropped Photo
“Pakistan’s act is unfortunate. It was not the first time they had stooped to such petty actions: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has slammed Pakistan for cropping Prime Minister Narendra Modi from a photograph clicked at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyzstan, saying Islamabad should not “play such games” with India. “If Modi Ji wants, he can wipe Pakistan off from the world map,” he said on Tuesday.
“Pakistan’s act is unfortunate. It was not the first time they had stooped to such petty actions. Pakistan has shown its level by cropping Prime Minister Modi’s photo. They just deleted the photo. But if Prime Minister Modi puts his mind to it, he can erase Pakistan from the world map,” Shinde said.
His remarks came after Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) posted a photo of SCO leaders on X, with PM Modi cropped out. Sharif’s office shared an edited version of the SCO family photograph, with PM Modi cropped out. The original photograph showed several heads of member states, including PM Modi, China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, standing together. In contrast, PM Modi’s post on X featured Sharif in the group photograph. Later, however, Sharif shared the full group photograph from his official X account, showing all the SCO leaders, including PM Modi.
Shinde said the editing would do nothing to diminish Modi’s stature at home or abroad. “I would also say that such an act of removing a photograph cannot erase Prime Minister Modi from the hearts of 140 crore Indians. In fact, Prime Minister Modi remains one of the most popular leaders in the world,” he said.
Shinde also recalled the Pahalgam terror attack, where Pakistan-linked terrorists gunned down 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir last year, saying India gave a befitting response through Operation Sindoor under the leadership of PM Modi.
“During Operation Sindoor, terrorists in Pahalgam committed a grave crime against our people and our sisters by wiping away their sindoor. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, our armed forces completely destroyed terrorist bases in Pakistan. They also destroyed 11 airbase camps and brought Pakistan to its knees,” he added.
“The entire country is proud of the Indian armed forces and Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Therefore, Pakistan should never attempt to play such games with our country,” Shinde said.