The United Nations has confirmed its practice of considering name change requests from countries, shedding light on the recent controversy surrounding President Droupadi Murmu's G20 dinner invitations. Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Farhan Haq, referenced Turkey's recent name change to Turkiye as an example.
Haq stated, "Well, in the case of Turkiye, we responded to a formal request delivered to us by the Government. Obviously, if we get requests like that, we consider them as they come," when questioned about the reports suggesting India might change its name to Bharat, PTI repoted.
This issue emerged when invitations for a G20 dinner hosted by President Murmu referred to her as 'President of Bharat' rather than the traditional 'President of India,' sparking a heated debate within India's political landscape. The opposition accused the Narendra Modi government of contemplating a name change from India to Bharat.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the matter during his interaction with the Union Council of Ministers, advising them to steer clear of the political controversy surrounding the Bharat issue. He highlighted the historical significance of the name Bharat as an ancient reference for the country.
In preparation for the upcoming G20 summit, Modi instructed his ministers to remain in the national capital and fulfill their assigned duties to ensure the comfort and convenience of visiting dignitaries. The G20 Summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 9 and 10, with numerous world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, attending the event.
