New York:In a gaffe, New York City Mayor Eric Adams referred to India and its diasporic community as “Pakistan” in his remarks at an Indian Independence Day celebration in Queens. Adams was addressing members of the Indian-American community at the Ninth Annual India Day Parade in Queens on Saturday. The stage from which he addressed the diaspora was decorated with Indian flags, balloons in shades of the tricolor flag and banners reading “Mayor Adams Celebrates the Indian Community.”
Adams himself held the Indian tricolour and the American flag and was surrounded by members of the Indian diaspora who were waving Indian flags, wearing tricolour sashes and tricolour-themed attire.
However, during his remarks, while talking about the diasporic community, Adams confused India with Pakistan three times.
Adams refers to India as Pakistan three times
“We raised the flag earlier this week in Bowling Green… And I think there is no greater symbol of what you offer to this community than the men and women who are part of the law enforcement community, who are here, the Pakistani officers, who continue to grow in number and rank as they continue to demonstrate that public safety is the prerequisite for our prosperity.
“…I appreciate you allowing me to come here. I have known this community for a long time, from Little Pakistan and Queens to Little Pakistan and Brooklyn. You are a fundamental pillar of our entire city. So let’s continue celebrating your independence.”
At that point, someone in the crowd can be heard correcting him and shouting “India,” “It’s India.” The mayor had attended a flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green Park in lower Manhattan on August 15 to mark India’s independence day. A day earlier, he had spoken at a flag-raising ceremony at the same location on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
(With contributions from the agency)
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