Explained: why Singapore is upset with Delhi CM & how India reacted

After China received major backlash from most of the world last year for what people started calling ‘Wuhan virus’, it is only natural that no country wants to have their name associated with Covid-19 virus.

Singapore found itself in a similar position when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said a variant of virus is causing a surge in the city-state and that it could cause a third wave in India.

A not very happy Singapore first issued a statement saying that there was ‘no Singapore variant’. It added that the reports being carried by media outlets implied that a new Covid-19 variant has originated in Singapore but the variant causing a surge in the country is B.1.617.2, a variant that was first found in India.

And then Singapore High Commissioner to India Simon Wong said in the press conference that there was ground for invoking the country’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act against the Delhi Chief Minister but it was not going to do so as they are satisfied with the India govt’s response on the matter

The Indian govt’s response comprised of a series of tweets by Ministry of External Affairs and the Foreign Minister S Jaishankar himself, criticising Delhi Chief Minister and saying that he does not speak for India.

What exactly did Arvind Kejriwal say that almost led to a diplomatic stand-off?

On May 18, he tweeted in Hindi that a new form of Covid-19 in Singapore is said to be extremely dangerous for kids and it may come to India as a third wave. He went on to urge the Centre to suspend air services with Singapore and work on vaccine options for children on priority. He followed that tweet by sharing a news report on the surge in Singapore.

He did not use the word ‘Singapore variant’ in his tweet.

The incident has turned into a political slug fest with BJP leaders tweeting against Kerjwal. They have alleged that his remarks were part of a toolkit to spread anarchy and confusion. The AAP meanwhile has accused the Centre of trying to save their image abroad instead of saving Indians.

While Indian govt may have saved face internationally, it is facing flak at home for denouncing its own chief minister publically... many say it is a first. Many are of the opinion that series of tweets could have just been a phone call to Singapore