US reacts after India summons diplomat over Arvind Kejriwal remarks

G GOWTHAM
The US reaffirmed its need for "fair, transparent, timely legal processes" one day after india called a US envoy and took issue with comments made on delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. A spokesman for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, added that the US was aware of the congress party's claims that several of its bank accounts had been frozen by tax officials.
 
"We are still keeping a careful eye on these developments, including Arvind Kejriwal's detention. For each of these matters, we support prompt, equitable, and transparent legal procedures," Miller stated.
 
Miller was answering a question regarding Congress's bank accounts being frozen and india calling Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena in Delhi. This occurred at the State Department briefing.

"We are also aware of the claims made by the congress that some tax officials have stopped their financial accounts, making it difficult for them to run a successful campaign in the approaching elections. Additionally, we support prompt, equitable, and transparent legal procedures for each of these matters," Miller stated.
 
Miller declined to respond when questioned about india calling the US ambassador, citing "private diplomatic conversations".
 
"I won't discuss any confidential diplomatic discussions. Naturally, though, we have openly said what I have just stated: that is, we support just, open, and efficient legal procedures. Nobody need to oppose to it, in our opinion," Miller stated.
 

Earlier, New delhi had protested forcefully over Washington's "closely monitoring" statement on Kejriwal's arrest.
 
Gloria Berbena, the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, has been called to the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) South Block office in Delhi. The meeting went on for more than half an hour.
 
Later, the MEA issued a statement in which it stated, "We take strong objection to the remarks of the US State Department Spokesperson about certain legal proceedings in India."
 

"States are supposed to respect one other's sovereignty and internal affairs when engaging in diplomatic relations. This duty is exacerbated when it comes to other democracies. If not, it may wind up creating unfavourable precedents," the statement read.
The MEA emphasised that "casting aspersions on that was unwarranted" and that "an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes" is the foundation of India's legal systems.
India called the German deputy head of mission in delhi on Saturday, march 23, and strongly objected to the comments made by the foreign ministry of that nation on Kejriwal's arrest.

 

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