“Unwarranted and unacceptable”: India on US diplomat comments over Delhi CM Kejriwal's arrest
India on US diplomat comments: Stating that India is proud of its "robust and independent" democratic institutions, the Ministry of External Affairs called the remarks by US State Department on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as "unwarranted", adding that any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is "completely unacceptable."
Addressing a weekly press briefing on Thursday, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says "Yesterday India lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the US embassy with regard to the comments made by the US State Department.
Also Read: Delhi Excise Policy Case: List of top leaders arrested in 'liquor scam'
“The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
#WATCH | On India summons US diplomat over comments on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and freezing of Congress bank accounts, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says "Yesterday India lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the US embassy with regard… pic.twitter.com/AUGkPAHc0y — ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2024
“Anyone who has similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact. 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..," MEA said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi summoned the US' Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena to lodge a strong protest against their foreign office spokesperson's remarks on the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
The Aam Aadmi Party's National Convenor was arrested on March 21 for alleged misdoings in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise policy case under an ongoing money laundering probe by the ED. He is in ED custody till March 28.
Also Read: Supreme Court to quickly consider Arvind Kejriwal's arrest appeal
Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal arrested; what's next?
The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped.
(With inputs from agencies)
-
