'Don't indulge in such games, Modi can wipe Pakistan off the world map,' says Eknath Shinde

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has hit out at Pakistan for editing Prime Minister Narendra Modi out of a group photograph of world leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. He warned Pakistan against trying to play such "games" with India.

Calling the move "extremely unfortunate", Shinde said Modi had the power to wipe Pakistan off the world map if he wanted to. He also said that removing Modi from a photograph would not diminish the love and support he receives from 140 crore Indians or his popularity around the world.

"Pakistan's act is extremely unfortunate. They always do such things. But I have only one thing to say: They have removed Modi ji's picture, but if Modi ji decides, he can wipe Pakistan off the world map," Shinde said.

The controversy erupted after Modi was edited out of a group photograph of world leaders taken during the 26th SCO summit in Bishkek on Tuesday. The photograph, released by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office, showed Modi and several other leaders removed from the frame, while Sharif's image was digitally placed at the centre.

The edited photograph quickly drew criticism from social media users, with many questioning the decision to alter the summit image.