Attempts to create discord in India-Gulf relations, says India on fake Twitter handles of Arab royalty

Reacting to the reports of social media profiles changingnames to the Arab royalty, India said that attempts are being made to create discord in the special relations between India and the Gulf

"Attempts to create discord in the special relations between India and the Gulf,"

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Meanwhile, Indian missions have appealed to the Indian community not to be swayed by such propaganda.

"The friendly relations between India and Oman are underpinned by our shared values of tolerance and pluralism. Let us all commit to maintaining unity and social harmony at this critical juncture," The Indian mission in Oman said o Twitter.

Asking Indian community in the country to "stay focused and united in our fight against COVID-19", mission asked "not get distracted by fake news on social media with malicious intentions".

Omani Princess Mona bint Fahd who was impersonated has issued a statement clarifying the uproar created by the fake handle which even had parody written in its bio.

In the statement, she said, "Friends, First of all, I thank you for your concern to verify the offensive post published through an account impersonating me, which you are sure that I have no connection with it."

"With full trust in all of you in strengthening awareness among all regarding such activities, which are not acceptable to the Omani society, I confirm again that my presence in social media is restricted on the following accounts: @hhmonaalsaid and @MonaFahad 13," she added.

Indian envoy to Oman Munu Mahawar thanked the Omani princes for clarification on Twitter and wrote India values its "friendly relations with Oman and will continue working closely with the Government and people of Oman to further strengthen our special relationship."

A Pakistani profile with username @pak_fauj changed its name to Omani Royalty Mona bint Fahd al Said @SayyidaMona and on Wednesday and tweeted anti-India rant, which went viral, by design. The tweet was retweeted by many including by Pakistani media personnel.

Sources also slammed Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's anti-India statement saying "It is deeply regrettable OIC continues to make a factually incorrect and misleading statement" advising the grouping not to "communalise fight against COVID-19".