New Delhi, Apr 6 (Agency) India on Thursday hit back at foreign governments, including Germany, for commenting on its internal affairs, and said New Delhi is “not waiting for their views or validation” and “nor do such comments matter” for the functioning of the Indian systems and institutions. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, asked to comment on ex US President Donald Trump’s indictment by a court, said: “We have noted the developments that happened earlier this week.
This is a matter for the US institutions and systems to address. “But since you raised this issue, let me make here a larger comment. “We see comments from time to time by foreign governments, on developments in India. Germany is a recent example. “I’m not sure what they seek to achieve by such comments. Certainly, India is not waiting for their views or validation. Nor do such comments matter for the functioning of the Indian systems and institutions. “So, I thought I would add that to a general comment.” The spokesperson’s statement comes in the wake of the US and Germany commenting on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s sentencing by a court and his subsequent disqualification as MP over the “Modi” surname case. The US had last month said it is watching Rahul Gandhi’s case and that it engages with the Indian government on the commitment to democratic values and freedom of expression. US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, answering a question on Rahul Gandhi at a media briefing in Washington, said: “Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence is a cornerstone of any democracy, and we’re watching Mr. Gandhi’s case in Indian courts, and we engage with the Government of India on our shared commitment to democratic values – including, of course, freedom of expression.”
Germany’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, in reference to the case, said similarly: “We have taken note of the first instance against Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate. “To our knowledge Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict, it will then become clear whether the verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis. “We expect that the standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles will equally apply to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi.” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had in answer to a question on the issue of foreign governments commenting on Indian affairs, said last week: “The West has a bad habit for a long time of commenting on other people. They somehow think it’s some kind of God-given right. And I think they will have to learn only by experience that if you keep doing this other people will also start commenting, and they will not like it when it happens. But I can see it happening.” Jaishankar also said that Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification happened as he refused to express regret on the disparaging remarks he made against a community at a public meeting four years ago. “The law is the law, unless somebody thinks that the law is not for them,” the EAM said.
The MEA spokesperson asked to comment on what the EAM had said, replied: “As regards EAM’s comments I don’t think anybody needs to interpret them; they stand on their own. I don’t have anything to add to it. If there are violations of our laws and regulations, there are agencies working on that and I don’t think this is a foreign policy issue as such. EAM has already made his position quite clear.” On March 23, Rahul Gandhi was sentenced to two years in jail by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his comment that “all thieves have the Modi surname”. Following his conviction and sentencing, he was also disqualified from the Lok Sabha.