New York City Mayor Eric Adams mistakenly referred to ‘India’ as ‘Pakistan’ thrice during an Independence Day celebration in Queens.
Adams made the faux pas while addressing members of the Indian-American community at the Queens 9th India Day Parade on Saturday.
The New York Mayor had spoken at a flag-raising ceremony at the same venue for Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14.
Adams addressed the crowd from a stage adorned with Indian flags, tricolour balloons, and banners reading “Mayor Adams Celebrates the Indian Community.”
He himself was holding the Indian tricolour and the American flag and was surrounded by members of the Indian diaspora waving the tricolour, wearing tricolour sashes and tricolour-themed attire.
So great to be with our Indian community in Queens today for their annual parade celebrating their independence!
These New Yorkers are an essential part of our city, and we are proud to work with them every day. pic.twitter.com/9t6ICiFCE6
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) August 17, 2024
While making his remarks on the Indian diaspora, Eric Adams mixed up India with Pakistan thrice.
“We raised the flag earlier this week at Bowling Green…And I think 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 are continuing to grow in their numbers and ranks as they continue to show that public safety is the prerequisite to our prosperity,” he said.
“So I thank you for allowing me to come here. I’ve known this community for so long, from little Pakistan and Queens, little Pakistan and Brooklyn, you are a major foundation of our entire city. So let’s continue to celebrate your independence,” he added.
However, the Mayor was corrected by someone from the crowd who said, “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 addressed the flag-raising ceremony at the same venue on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Speaking on the issue, a spokesperson of the Mayor’s office said, Adams proactively went back on stage and apologised for the mistake.
“(He) made clear he was proud to be there to celebrate India’s independence,” the spokesperson said, according to the New York Post.
So great to be with our Indian community in Queens today for their annual parade celebrating their independence!
These New Yorkers are an essential part of our city, and we are proud to work with them every day. pic.twitter.com/9t6ICiFCE6
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) August 17, 2024
In a post on X, the Mayor said, “So great to be with our Indian community in Queens today for their annual parade celebrating their independence! These New Yorkers are an essential part of our city, and we are proud to work with them every day.”
