While attending the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Washington, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the negative perception of India in the Western media. During a Q&A session with Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) president Adam S Posen, she was asked about reports of MPs in the opposition party losing status and the treatment of Muslim minorities in India. Sitharaman replied that India has the second-largest Muslim population in the world, and that population is only growing in numbers. She also stated that Muslims in India are doing better compared to Muslims in Pakistan, disputing the negative portrayal of the Muslim community in India by Western media. As the chair of the second G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting under the Indian presidency, Sitharaman's response sheds light on India's perspective on the global stage. The finance minister's statement also emphasizes the growing Muslim population in India and the government's efforts
