After many years, India lodges protest against US meddling in domestic politics
International Desk
After many years, India has lodged a strong protest against US interference into its domestic politics. The Modi government has objected to remarks made by Washington on the arrest of key opposition leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal a month before India’s national election.
On Wednesday, India’s foreign ministry summoned the acting US deputy chief of mission in New Delhi following a State Department comment on Monday that it was closely following reports of Kejriwal's arrest and that it encouraged a fair legal process.
The foreign ministry handed a “demarche” to senior US diplomat Gloria Berbena asking her government to refrain from interfering into Indian domestic election process.
However, about 24 hours later, the US reiterated its concerns saying the Biden administration was monitoring the developments in New Delhi closely, including Kejriwal’s court trial and freezing of opposition Congress party’s bank accounts.
At a press briefing, US State department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “We encourage fair, transparent and timely legal process for each of these issues. We don't think anyone should object to our expectations.”
In response, India’s foreign ministry is considering summoning the chief of US mission in India, Ambassador Eric Garcetti. Ministry spokesperson has told Indian media that, "We take strong objection to the remarks of the spokesperson of the US state department about certain legal proceedings in India."
Foreign ministry joint secretary has issued statement addressing the US saying, “In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful towards the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in the case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy practices."
The ministry appears to be planning a tit-for-tat move targeting the upcoming US presidential election.
Earlier, the ministry had said that India's legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely trials.
