India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has dismissed concerns that reports of growing level of intolerance in the country will fail to attract investments from overseas.

At a Press conference held before a community reception in Dubai on Monday night he also urged Indian expatriates to correct the perceptions about India based on the "peaceful ground reality."

His comments came when reporters raised voices of concern among Indian minority groups in the UAE about the ongoing debate of intolerance in India.

Dozens of Indian writers historians filmmakers and scientists have returned national or literary awards in symbolic protest over fears that the country's democracy and religious tolerance are under threat in the current atmosphere.

Prior to the Press conference at least two community members said businessmen from the minority communities do not feel safe and comfortable in investing in India.

"Minority groups feel unsafe in putting their money there which is not what we want to happen there...." said Kinana Muder president of Anjuman-e-Najmi an organisation of Fatemi Dawoodi Bohra community in Dubai.

"The government should be doing something to curb the communal differences and distances ... I don't see that happening."

"Being outside we should have some fallback in the homeland. If the homeland is not giving the security a person needs in terms investment ... security for their family children education ... where do they fall back on?" asked Muder.

Shabbir Abbas from the same community said the legal formalities of investments are not conducive most of the time for minorities and especially for NRIs.

"Let it be any state ... it takes a lot of effort especially for NRIs to go and invest comfortably and easily. There are a lot of hurdles in getting permissions" said Abbas who is a partner of Silky Textiles and Garments.

However Jaitley said: "The environment in India today is more conducive because of the fact that decision making is quicker infrastructure and investments are picking up and the Indian economy is growing faster than most other countries in the world."

"It is statements in the media by some people adverse to the government which I have been seeing but on the ground level in India I see perfect harmony and that is why I had initially referred to this debate as a manufactured one" he said about the debate on intolerance.

He said intolerance "becomes an issue for a discussion when people try and give a bad name to the country."

"Therefore the onus is on us all of us as Indians to clarify that issue ... I think we need your cooperation in changing the perception because on the ground there is no indication of any intolerance."

"Such issues can subvert a debate but it can't alter the ground situation which is quite peaceful" he said.

Muder said the experience the people in the UAE have is that sitting at home they can get things done over the Internet. "Something similar to that is what we are looking forward to."

To a question on when Indians can see Dubai-model development the minister replied: "India has to undergo the decision making process which a noisy democracy undergoes."

Prominent Indian businessman Dr B.R. Shetty echoed Jaitley's opinion about conducive investment environment in India.

"India has opened up various sectors and liberalised many rules. The prime minister has equalised NRIs with resident Indians in many matters and eased things for them. I think it is a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere now" said Dr Shetty.

"The UAE has recognised expatriate Indians' hard work and contribution in a very positive manner. It is now their turn to invest back in India" he added.

At the community meeting Jaitley praised the vision of the UAE rulers and paid tributes to them for the exponential growth of the country despite natural resources. He promised the businessmen that India's corporate taxation will soon be one of the cheapest in the world which the audience welcomed with applause.

The Indian Ambassador to the UAE T.P. Seetharam and the Consul-General of India in Dubai and Northern Emirates Anurag Bhushan who organised the reception were also present.

Sajila Saseendran