Arab TV channels unaware of India's new rules

Dubai, Aug 10 (UNI) Leading Arab television station, Al Arabia, has said it is not aware of any ban on Arab channels in India.

An Al Arabia spokesman said they respect the decision of the Indian government if the channels are needed to have registration for downlinking.

''We will look into the registration norms and if it is viable for us it would be great to expand our reach to India,'' he told Khaleej Times.

But if the Arabic channels are banned following political pressure from Israel and the US as Jeddah's Arab News reported, Al Arabia would appeal to re-consider its decision to allow freedom of expression.

''India is the largest democratic entity in the world and we have great respect for the country,'' the spokesman said.

No official of Al Jazeera, another prominent Arab channel from Doha, was available for comment.

Indian Ambassador to the UAE Chandra Mohan Bhandari said rule is universal and is applicable to all the foreign channels.

''It is not a rule just for Arab channels,'' Mr Bhandari said, adding, ''the controversy was a part of an inspired attempt to spoil relations between India and the Arab world.'' UNI XC SI DS1345