7 months ago
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Remarks by the United States on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest are "unwarranted" and a strong protest has been lodged, the Ministry of External Affairs said during a routine press briefing Thursday.
"... yesterday India lodged its strong objection and protest with a senior official from the United States Embassy with regard to comments made by the State Department. The recent remarks are unwarranted. In India, legal processes are driven by the rule of law. Anyone who has similar ethos... especially fellow democracies... should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact," the MEA said.
The MEA also snapped back at the US' comments on the Congress' claim that its bank accounts have been frozen - over unfair tax demands - just days before the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The Congress has said the hold on its bank accounts means it has no money to spend on its poll campaigns.
The MEA underlined India's "robust and independent democratic institutions" and said that "external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable". The ministry spokesperson also emphasised the Indian government's commitment to protect the country's judiciary and democratic institutions "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," the MEA said.
The External Affairs Ministry's strong-worded statement comes after the US on Wednesday reiterated calls for "fair, transparent, and timely legal processes" involving Mr Kejriwal's arrest.
The US said it "continues to follow these actions closely" when asked about the meeting Wednesday between MEA officials and Gloria Berbena, the US' Acting Deputy Chief of Mission in Delhi.
On the Congress' tax row, the State Department said it is "aware of the allegations..." and that it encourages the Indian government to deal with both issues in a "fair and transparent" manner.
English (US) ·