Indian FM play down row over 'Akhand Bharat' mural

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar yesterday played down the controversy over the mural of "Akhand Bharat" (undivided India) installed in the new parliament building, saying "it is not a big political issue".

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the parliament building recently.

Responding to a question on the issue, he told reporters in New Delhi that the issue is blown out of proportion.

The caption below the mural clearly said that the mural refers to a particular time in history and geography and depicts the rule of the Ashokan empire, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"I don't think it is a big political issue. Our friends in the neighbourhood will understand the issue. If they need any clarification on it, it will be given. In the case of Pakistan, we do not expect understanding from Pakistan. You know what this means," Jaishankar said.

The mural had elicited a negative reaction from some politicians in Nepal who had asked Prime Minister Pushpa Kumar Dahal 'Prachanda' to take up the issue with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during the former's visit to Delhi earlier this month.

On his return from India to Nepal, 'Prachanda' said he did take up the issue with the Indian government and New Delhi said that the mural was a cultural and not a political concept.