MUMBAI: In response to Washington’s comments over the detention of prominent opposition figure and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, few weeks before the legislative elections, India on Wednesday summoned a senior US diplomat.
Following Kejriwal’s detention last week, the US State Department had asked India to guarantee a “fair, transparent, and timely legal process” for him.
Two days after Washington claimed it is closely monitoring reports of Kejriwal’s arrest and that it supports a fair legal process, India vehemently protested to the remarks.
In a statement, the Indian foreign ministry stated, “We take strong objection to the remarks.” “States are expected to respect each other’s sovereignty and internal affairs in diplomacy.”
Television stations in the area aired footage of Gloria Berbena, a top US ambassador, visiting India’s foreign ministry.
Germany has earlier expressed alarm over Kejriwal’s incarceration. Kejriwal is a prominent member of an opposition alliance that was established to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the April 19 elections. The deputy ambassador of Germany was also called, according to the foreign ministry, on Saturday.
On suspicion of corruption, Kejriwal, whose Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) controls both the northern state of Punjab and the nation’s capital territory, was taken into custody by the federal financial crime-fighting agency last week.
Political meddling is denied by the federal government and the Bharatiya Janata Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The foundation of India’s legal systems is an independent court dedicated to prompt, impartial decisions. It is unjustified to cast doubt on that, the Indian foreign ministry stated in a statement.
States are supposed to respect each other’s internal affairs and sovereignty when engaging in diplomatic relations. This obligation is heightened when dealing with other democratic nations. If not, it can wind up creating unfavorable precedents,” it stated.
