India has once again strongly objected to the US State Department’s comments related to the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and also its remarks on freezing of Congress party’s bank accounts and said the comments are “unwarranted”.
The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted, said the official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal at the weekly briefing in Delhi on Thursday.
Responding to the media queries related to the US State Department’s spokesperson on Wednesday, he said that “any such imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable.”
This what MEA has said related to the US Comments
“In India, legal processes are driven only by the Rule of Law. Anyone who has a similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact.”
Adding, “India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions. We are committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences. Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations and states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others.”
Background
On Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, Gloria Barbena to the South Block. During the 40-minute meeting they talked about the comments made by the Spokesperson of the State Department.
As reported previously, the MEA had issued an official statement on Wednesday stating that both India and the US democratic countries. In both the democratic countries the court is viewed with respect. In such a situation, India is not going to tolerate comments regarding judicial proceedings from the US.
On March 27, 2024, this is what MEA said:
“In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents.”
Adding, “India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted.”
In fact, the US State Department spokesperson said during a press conference on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that “we are still keeping an eye.” In the liquor scam case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal on money laundering charges on March 20. At present, Kejriwal is in ED custody.
Earlier, a similar strong reaction from the US had come regarding the CAA law. In such a situation, India considered it appropriate to register its objection with America. A few days ago, MEA had also summoned the German Ambassador and termed his government’s comment on Kejriwal’s arrest as unnecessary. After Germany, the US is the second country on whose comments India has taken a tough stance.