Lack of understanding: India rejects Dutch PMs remarks over press freedom, minority
The reports of Dutch PM expressing concerns over developments in India came ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Modi.
PTC News Desk: India on Sunday rejected Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten's reported remarks over declining press freedom and minority rights in the country with the government asserting that such observations emerge from 'lack of knowledge' about India’s democratic and civilisational character.
Addressing the media during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Netherlands, a Ministry of External Affairs official stressed the so-called concerns stemmed from a "lack of understanding" of the country, stressing India's civilisational depth and pluralism.
"We face these kinds of questions basically because of the lack of understanding of the person who asks the question," said Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
George highlighted how India belongs to a civilisation that is five millennia old, stressing the country's cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.
"India is a country of 1.4 billion people, the largest populated country in the world. A country of civilization of more than 5000 years old. It's a diverse country. [There's]...diversity in terms of culture, diversity in terms of languages, diversity in terms of food, diversity in terms of religion...There is no other country in the world which have four religions have originated. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. These religions originated in India and continue to flourish in India," he said.
"Jewish religion was in India for more than 2500 years. Continuously coexisted. India is perhaps only one of those very few countries where the Jewish population never faced a persecution...Christianity came to India immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Continued to flourish in India... Islam came to India during the time of Prophet Muhammad himself and flourished in India," he added.
The reports of Dutch PM expressing concerns over developments in India came ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Modi. Shortly after meeting PM Modi, Jetten said both India and the Netherlands attached “great importance to democracy, good governance and a world order based on rules and justice”.