“There is no other country in the world where four religions have originated" ::::: Lack of understanding: India rejects Dutch concerns over press freedom, minorities

“India is a country of 1.4 billion people, the largest populated country in the world. A country of civilisation of more than 5000 years old. 

It’s a diverse country – diversity in terms of culture, diversity in terms of languages, diversity in terms of food, diversity in terms of religion,” said a top Indian diplomat, Sibi George. 

Addressing the media at The Hague, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George said criticism of India about the status of minorities etc often stemmed from inadequate knowledge about the country’s social and democratic fabric. 

“We face these kinds of questions basically because of the lack of understanding of the person who asks the question,” George said.

George noted that four major religions -- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism -- originated in India and continue to flourish in the country. 

“There is no other country in the world where four religions have originated,” he said.

It's true Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten had reportedly expressed concerns over developments in India before his meeting with PM Narendra Modi.  

The response from Sibi George came during PM Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, after a Dutch journalist raised questions about the absence of a joint press interaction and referred to concerns over media freedom and the rights of minorities. 

George pointed to the long presence of other faiths in India, saying Jewish communities had lived in the country for over 2,500 years without persecution, while Christianity and Islam had also prospered for centuries.

“Christianity came to India immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and continued to flourish in India. Islam came to India during the time of Prophet Muhammad himself and flourished in India,” he added.

George further cited India’s electoral process and peaceful transitions of power as evidence of the country’s democratic strength. 

“Recently, we had elections. You need to know what the level of participation was. More than 90 per cent of the electorate voted. This is the beauty of India,” he said.

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