India summons US diplomat over Delhi chief minister’s arrest comments

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NEW DELHI, India, March 27: The Indian External Affairs Ministry took a diplomatic step on Wednesday by summoning a senior US diplomat in New Delhi to convey strong objections to comments made by a spokesperson of the US State Department regarding the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Aravind Kejriwal.

According to the Press Trust of India, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena and registered a robust protest against US remarks concerning certain legal proceedings in India. The ministry also released a statement reiterating its objection and emphasizing the importance of respecting the sovereignty and internal affairs of other nations.

“We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India,” the ministry’s statement asserted. “In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of 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 precedents. India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary that is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted.”

The Indian ministry’s response came following media reports quoting a US government spokesperson who stated that Washington is closely monitoring the developments related to the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister. “We encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal,” the US government spokesperson remarked.

The Enforcement Directorate under the federal government had arrested Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal in connection with a Delhi excise policy money laundering case, triggering a significant political crisis in the country ahead of the General Elections.

The diplomatic exchange underscores the delicate nature of international relations and the need for mutual respect and understanding between sovereign nations.

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