External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had a hectic programme lined up for her as she arrived in Iran on Saturday a two-day visit. She was due to have negotiations about increasing imports from the oil-rich nation and also boosting trade.
It all seemed cheerful as she took off on Saturday afternoon.
Old ties and new partnerships. EAM @SushmaSwaraj departs for Tehran for the first leg of her visit to Iran & Russia pic.twitter.com/pBpbW2FNGk
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) April 16, 2016
And it continued to be wonderfully calm as Swaraj touched down a few hours later.
In Tehran - pic.twitter.com/jZSA01zms4
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 16, 2016
On Sunday morning, Swaraj visited a gurudwara in Teheran that had been established in 1941 and assured members of the Indian community that she would convey their grievances to the authorities.
“I am commencing my visit to Iran with a new energy after meeting with Indian community,” PTI reported her as saying.
Its a unique morning for the Indian community in Tehran as EAM @SushmaSwaraj visits the Gurudwara & Community School pic.twitter.com/lQPWbZr5oq
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) April 17, 2016
She also attended a cultural programme put on by students of the Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Indian curriculum, international outlook. EAM @SushmaSwaraj interacts with students at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Tehran pic.twitter.com/SuPKFyZxfS
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) April 17, 2016
The minister went on to meetings with the Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif and Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
All in all, Swaraj seemed to be getting a lot done.
But when photos of her discussions with President Hassan Rouhani were issued on Twitter by her ministry, some users reacted with mirth, laced with misogyny and perhaps a touch of anti-Islamism. Swaraj's decision to wrap herself up completely and cover in head, in keeping with decorum in the Islamic nation, seemed to overshadow the important discussions she had conducted.
Here are some reactions.
Breaking : Sushma Swaraj converts to Shia Islam on her visit to Iran. pic.twitter.com/KaE3Hf0P5Q
— Lame Monk (@oldschoolmonk) April 17, 2016
Madam...disgusting to see you wrapped up in hijab. You come from the land of Durga. Shameful to appease mullas https://t.co/9NiUq9Damd
— The Penguin (@Moskvaa) April 17, 2016
Sanghis look how Sushma Swaraj is doing minority appeasement in Iran.Hahahahaha. Enjoy!!😁😁😁 pic.twitter.com/gKJP5vVlf0
— FANtastic LEENA (@kunfaaya) April 17, 2016
So Sushma Swaraj turned sickular in #Iran pic.twitter.com/9klwQCp3BL
— Sami (@SAMI_hadyh) April 17, 2016
@GodIsSRT Mrs. Sushma Swaraj inserted herself in a pink potato sack. I hope at least now Iran attacks Baluchistan.
— JKadvekar (@jkadvekar) April 17, 2016
Sushma Swaraj has not swathed herself to respect Iranian sentiments,but to project a stereotype 4 the home audience. pic.twitter.com/feb9IyYpPl
— Farzana Versey (@farzana_versey) April 17, 2016