New Delhi: The BJP condemned social media posts mocking Indians stranded in the UAE, which came under attack in the Iran and US-Israel conflict, days after its own MP Nishikant Dubey took a dig at Indians living in Dubai.
Vijay Chauthaiwale, who heads BJP’s foreign affairs department, posted on X Sunday: “Cheap comments against (the) UAE by some people in India are condemnable when that country is under attack.”
Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the UAE Embassy in India, and the Indian Embassy in the UAE, Chauthaiwale called for deeper bilateral ties.
“UAE and India have a trusted partnership under the current leadership of both countries. It’s evident from several engagements between the two countries at every level. It’s time for us to strengthen this friendship,” Chauthaiwale said.
His response came a day after Dubey appeared to mock Indians based in Dubai.
“A lesson for those leaving behind their Indian passport to go to Dubai: With Modi ji here, we are safe. It’s easy to post long, lengthy things on social media,” the MP wrote.
Multiple users responding to Chauthaiwale drew attention to Dubey’s post, asking him to note that a colleague from his own party had made precisely such a comment.
Cheap comments against UAE by some people in India are condemnable when that country is under attack. UAE and India have trusted partnership under the current leadership of both the countries. It's evident from several engagements between two countries at every level. It's time…
— Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale (@vijai63) March 1, 2026
अपना भारतीय पासपोर्ट छोड़कर दुबई जाने वाले लोगों के लिए सबक,मोदी जी हैं तो हम सुरक्षित हैं ।लम्बे लम्बे सोशल मीडिया पर पोस्ट करना आसान है ।
— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) February 28, 2026
Some Indians on this platform are making it sound as if UAE is some 10-15 Trillion dollar economy! Shaant ho jao bhai. It’s a great country and Dubai is world class city.
GDP of Dubai – $116 billion
GDP of Mumbai – $400 billion+
Dubai is a great place! But don’t belittle…
— Mountain Rats (@mountain_rats) March 2, 2026
In India, you can wake up, grab chai, call Modi a dictator on five different platforms, tag him, trend it, make reels about it, write think pieces, drop memes… and then go out for pani puri peacefully.
In Dubai, apparently, if you post a “negative vibe” video, you might be… pic.twitter.com/ygY433iq7S
— Wokeflix (@wokeflix) March 3, 2026
I never claimed to be an Emirati. Being born in the UAE does not give my citizenship. I moved to the US for my bachelors and moved to India in 2023 to build a startup. I was showing my appreciation towards the UAE and every Indian must do so. UAE has always been pro-India. https://t.co/Ke6PTN7cj6
— Amrit Shenava (@0xastro98) March 2, 2026
The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of Dubai coming under attack from Iran after the US-Israel strikes. Iran had said it was free to target all Gulf nations that hosted American military bases. The attacks prompted Dubai to temporarily close its airspace for commercial flights, leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.
Party sources told ThePrint that BJP has privately directed its spokespersons to exercise restraint while commenting on the Israel-US-Iran conflict.
“PM Modi has spoken and the MEA is doing regular briefings. In times of conflict, it is better to avoid making insensitive comments,” a senior BJP leader said.
Another party leader underlined the diplomatic stakes of such remarks. “It is not healthy. The UAE is one of our most trusted allies, as shown by both leaders time and again. So, everyone has been asked to exercise restraint and to ensure the focus is on strengthening the relationship further,” the leader said.
The row was fuelled partly by a wave of social media posts mocking Indians caught in the crisis in Dubai.
One user wrote: “If you want to avoid taxes, go to Dubai. And if you want to save yourself from shells and ammunition, then India. Wow!!…”
टैक्स से बचना हो तो दुबई चले जाओ
और गोले बारूद से बचना हो तो भारत
वाह !!
लेकिन
अपने सुख में भारत मां की खुशियों का अहसास रखो,
तुम्हे बचाकर ले आयेगा आयेगा मोदी पर विश्वास रखो। pic.twitter.com/FeOJigGevP
— Anamika Jain Amber (@anamikamber) March 2, 2026
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