Hisham Sarwar
Weeks after following India’s Prime Minister Modi on Twitter, White House has unfollowed Modi. The unfollow news has sent a micro-blogging site into a state of frenzy highlighting recent souring ties between the two countries.
The Twitter account of the White House, the home, and the workplace of the US president has over 21 million followers. The account reportedly has unfollowed India’s PM Twitter account.
The twitter account followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Twitter just over three weeks ago. The news is, the account has unfollowed all three accounts.
After the news went viral on the internet, the White House Twitter account is now following 13 accounts and has gained 0.5 million followers.
President Trump’s recent comments on India’s decision to ban exports of hydroxychloroquine is widely interpreted as a threat to India and has caused a major controversy.
Just about three weeks ago, Prime Minister Modi had the ‘honour’ of being the only world leader followed by Washington on Twitter.
I’m dismayed by the “unfollowing” of our President & PM by the White House. I urge the Ministry of External Affairs to take note.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) 29 April 2020
Two weeks back, Modi govt & their propaganda channels claimed a diplomatic victory when the White House followed PM.
This was prior to the export of #Hydroxychloroquine
As soon as the medicines landed in the US, White House unfollowed PM.
Global leader? pic.twitter.com/lrBn7oT7FJ
— Rofl Republic (@i_theindian) 29 April 2020
Princess Hend Al Qassimi, a member of the royal family of the United Arab Emirates has tweeted about the incident highlighting a very interesting angle.
USA: White House unfollows Indian PM Modi and President Kovind on Twitter.#StopTheHate#MuslimHolocaust
— Princess Hend Al Qassimi (@LadyVelvet_HFQ) 29 April 2020
It does look like the beginning of a strong step. The independent US federal government commission has also pushed for imposing targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials.
The commission believes that the Indian government agencies are responsible for violations of religious freedom by freezing individuals’ assets.
