AMN /
Vice-President Hamid Ansari has said that extremism and intolerance in any form are not expressions in the spirit of the religion Islam. Md Ansari who returned home from a five-day visit to Indonesia last night was interacting with media on board the special aircraft that was en route to New Delhi. He said, extremism is a political aberration for whatever reasons, valid or less valid.
In reply to a question, he said, India’s commitment to plurality and religious tolerance is self-evident, as it was written down in the text of the Constitution as the Fundamental Rights. He further said, no political party says that intolerance is their agenda.
Meanwhile Mr Ansari returned home last night after concluding his five day visit to Indonesia. He had to cancel his visit to Brunei due to shutting down of Bali airport in Indonesia because of volcanic ash from Mount Rinjani.
The Vice President termed his visit to Indonesia as productive. Interacting with reporters on board special flight he said the message conveyed during his visit was that as maritime neighbours, strategic partners and with close cultural ties both countries need to engage seriously with each other to develop cooperation.
During his visit to Indonesia, both countries signed three MoUs on new and renewable energy, cultural exchange and Ayurveda. In a reply to a question, he said the Government of Brunei was informed about the unforeseen circumstances at Bali and the visit to the country will be rescheduled in the future.