India criticises Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong’s remarks on lawmakers facing criminal charges

“They start out as healthy democracies, with idealism and zeal,” he said. “But over time, the tone of the society changes. All too easily – a slip here, a blind eye there, a fudge, a trim – and gradually things go downhill.”

“Nehru’s India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder,” he said referencing India’s parliament. “Though it is also said that many of these allegations are politically motivated.”

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India’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi wasn’t immediately available for a comment. The Singaporean Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment on Friday.

Lee’s remarks came ahead of a vote to refer the leader of the opposition to the public prosecutor after a committee stacked with ruling People’s Action Party lawmakers found that he “told untruths” during a testimony.

They were in connection with a lying scandal involving a former lawmaker. Parliament passed the motion moments later.

The issue with Singapore comes more than a week after New Delhi summoned the South Korean ambassador over Hyundai Motor Co.’s Twitter accounts that tweeted on Kashmir Solidarity day – a holiday observed in Pakistan to show support for people in the India-administered part of the region.

Kashmir is a sensitive topic for both India and Pakistan who have fought multiple wars over the territory. South Korea’s foreign minister called his Indian counterpart and regretted the “offence.”

Separately, India this week banned dozens of apps it said was of Chinese origin, including Sea Ltd.’s marquee game Free Fire, citing security concerns, people with knowledge of the matter said. Sea was founded in Singapore by Chinese-born founders who became Singaporean citizens.