India's trade minister denounced Friday critics of his country's efforts to prepare to host the Commonwealth Games, saying the venues in New Delhi will be ready when the games open on October 3.
Speaking at a press conference here during a lull in trade talks, Anand Sharma accused international critics of the New Delhi sports facilities and athletes' village as "unfair" and said allegations that the games venues are not ready are "unwarranted".
New Delhi is expecting 7,000 athletes and officials representing Commonwealth countries, mostly nations and territories formerly in the former British empire. By population, India is the largest country in the Commonwealth.
Earlier, the president of Australia's Olympic Association said the Games never should have been awarded to India in the first place.
However, Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell has told members of the Indian media that he had seen a "sea change" in the condition of the athletes' village and sports facilities.
In Ottawa, Sharma was visibly angry at the suggestion that his country will not be able to stage the games.
"If such a comment has been made (by the Australians), it is unwarranted and unfortunate," Sharma said with audible anger in his voice.
"There is no major project anywhere which is concluded to perfection," Sharma told reporters in the foyer of Canada's parliament. He said critics are using "dated and frozen images" to criticize the games.
"Trying to run down the country is not acceptable to us," Sharma said. "Tens of thousands of our sons and daughters have worked for many years to build the stadiums and build the infrastructure."
"We have had unprecedented rains. We have had floods. We expect respect and understanding from our partners but criticism has been there in the past. This country (India) has seen similar criticism and concerns expressed when we hosted major events and the skeptics have been proven wrong," he added.
Sharma suggested some of the athletes who are threatening to boycott the games are refusing to go to India because "they are not confident of winning the medals or they will lose out."
Sharma bristled at the suggestion that India would fail to welcome guests in an appropriate manner.
"We have very rich cultural traditions, and we know how to receive our guests. Our guests will be welcomed, and the Commonwealth Games will be rejoiced and remembered," he said.