Protestors don't represent all minorities of the country: Congress

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma has said Muslims protesting the visit of US President George W. Bush did not represent the view of the majority of the community in India.

''I do not think protestors represent 150 million Muslims of this country,'' Mr Sharma told a news channel in an interview.

India was not the only country which was cosying up with the United States. Several other Muslim countries, including Pakistan, and others in West Asia were close to America, he said.

Reacting to the protests by Left parties, Mr Sharma said, ''Those who are making noise should be reminded that even countries like China and Russia are actively engaged (with the US). It's not only the Western bloc,'' he told CNN-IBN.

Being the largest democracy, how could India remain in isolation, he asked and said ''We will talk to the Left Front and explain to them the position. We are optimistic that they will understand.'' Nothing has been done in ''opaque manner'' and to hurt Indian interests, he added.

UNI AN CH RK2022