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PM Modi shown India map without Kashmir at Aus varsity event

Last updated on: November 14, 2014 22:38 IST

Queensland University of Technology on Friday night apologised for displaying a distorted map of India during an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Indian map displayed there had Kashmir missing from it, prompting a strong protest by Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

"India's foreign secretary raised the issue strongly and received an unqualified apology," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, responding to a question whether the issue was raised after it was noticed that Kashmir was missing from the Indian map displayed by the organisers.

"Yes, immediately lodged strong protest and received an unqualified regret from the organisers," Akbaruddin tweeted.

Asserting that the Government takes the issue of distortion of maps of India "seriously", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, "India's Foreign Secretary raised the issue strongly and received an unqualified apology."

He also said that the scientists and the staff at the QTU apparently did not realise the cartographic error.

Within hours after his arrival following an overnight flight from Myanmar, Modi headed for the QUT for the first engagement of his five-day Australia visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 28 years after Rajiv Gandhi. 

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