India summons US diplomat after Washington's remarks on Arvind Kejriwal

India summons US diplomat  after Washington's remarks on Arvind Kejriwal

The Modi government summoned the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Gloria Berbena, a day after Washington's remarks against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.

The ED sought time from the Delhi High Court to file its reply to a petition challenging Delhi CM's arrest. 

US diplomat summoned by Centre over Washington's remarks on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. Meeting with US diplomat lasted 40 minutes

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Gloria Berbena on Wednesday, a day after the Washington government said it was "closely monitoring" the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the liquor policy scam.

In an official statement, the Ministry said that it "strongly objected to the remarks of the spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India".

"In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents," the statement said.

The Ministry noted that "India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted".

On Tuesday, the US State Department spokesperson said, "We encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal.

Wednesday's development came just days after the Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, Georg Enzweiler, to lodge a "strong protest" against remarks by a foreign affairs spokesperson in Berlin.

"This includes he can make use of all available legal avenues without restrictions. The presumption of innocence is a central element of the rule of law and must apply to him," the spokesperson added.

On March 23, External Affairs Ministry's spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal tweeted, "We see such remarks as interfering in our judicial process and undermining the independence of our judiciary. India is a vibrant and robust democracy with rule of law."

"As in all legal cases in the country, and elsewhere in the democratic world, law will take its own course in the instant matter. Biased assumptions made on this account are most unwarranted," he added.

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