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BIG STORY APRIL 05, 2024 | The Indian Eye 4
INDIA-US RELATIONS
OPEN
INTERFERENCE?
As the US and Germany pressure India on Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and Congress party’s
funds cases, the BJP hits back at the US. Can New Delhi maintain a delicate balance
between diplomacy and national sovereignty?
OUR BUREAU
Washington, DC/New Delhi
omething is not going right be-
tween India and US. In recent
Sweeks, there have been too
many comments from the American
side that indicate a small friction be-
tween the world’s two biggest de-
mocracies. The bickering which be-
gan with the alleged attack on Sikh
separatists in the US and Canada by
India-backed attackers has now taken
another form.
Now, in recent days, the US gov-
ernment has openly spoken about po-
litical and judicial issues in India. This
week, commenting on the arrest of
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
for alleged money laundering in con-
nection with the Delhi excise policy
case, US State Department Spokes-
person Matthew Miller said that they
encourage fair, transparent and time-
ly legal processes for the issue.
Addressing a press briefing,
Miller was asked about his response
to India’s summoning US diplomat
over comments on Delhi CM Ke-
jriwal’s arrest and freezing of Con-
gress party’s bank accounts. The US US’ Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena leaves South Block after being summoned by Ministry of External Affairs over recent US
State Department said that they are
following these actions closely. “We State Department remarks on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI)
continue to follow these actions close-
ly, including the arrest of Delhi CM However, he also denied talking dia. “In diplomacy, states are expect- dient judgements. “India’s legal pro-
Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of about any private diplomatic conver- ed to be respectful of the sovereignty cesses are based on an independent
the Congress party’s allegations that sations, and said, “What we have said and internal affairs of others. This judiciary that is committed to objec-
tax authorities have frozen some of publicly is what I just said from here, responsibility is even more so in the tive and timely outcomes. Casting as-
their bank accounts in a manner that that we encourage fair, transparent, case of fellow democracies. It could persions on that is unwarranted,” the
will make it challenging to effectively and timely legal processes. We don’t otherwise end up setting unhealthy foreign ministry statement read.
campaign in the upcoming elections,” think anyone should object to that.” precedents,” the Ministry of External Earlier on Wednesday, US Act-
Miller added. India took a “strong objection” Affairs said in a statement today. ing Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria
“And we encourage fair, trans- to the remarks of the United States The MEA defended India’s legal Berbena was seen leaving the Minis-
parent and timely legal processes for State Department Spokesperson system, emphasising its independence try of External Affairs headquarters.
each of these issues,” he stressed. about certain legal proceedings in In- and dedication to impartial and expe- Continued on next page... >>
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