New Delhi: Stating that India is proud of its “robust and independent” democratic institutions, the Ministry of External Affairs called the remarks by US State Department on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as “unwarranted”, adding that any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is “completely unacceptable.”

This comes after US State Department doubled down on its remarks that that they encourage “fair, transparent and timely legal processes” on the issue, a day after a US diplomat was summoned to communicate India’s “strong objections” to the earlier remarks.

Addressing a weekly press briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Yesterday, India had lodged its strong objection and protest with a senior official from the US Embassy with regards to the comments made by the US State Department.”

He further emphasised that mutual respect and understanding is imperative for the foundation of international relations and urged the states to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of other countries.

“The recent remarks by the US State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, the legal process are driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has a similar ethos, especially fair democracies, should have no objection in appreciating this fact. India is proud of its robust and independent democratic institutions,” Jaiswal said.

“We are committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences. Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations and states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others,” he added.

Varem kolmapäeval küsiti USA välisministeeriumi pressiesindajalt Mathew Millerilt, kuidas ta reageeris India väljakutsumisele USA diplomaadile seoses kommentaaridega Delhi CM Kejriwali arreteerimise ja Kongressi partei pangakontode külmutamise kohta, millele ta ütles, et nad jälgivad neid tegevusi tähelepanelikult.

"Jälgime jätkuvalt tähelepanelikult neid tegevusi, sealhulgas Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwali vahistamist. Oleme teadlikud ka Kongressi partei väidetest, et maksuamet on külmutanud osa nende pangakontodest viisil, mis muudab eelseisvatel valimistel tõhusa kampaania tegemise keeruliseks,“ lisas Miller.

"Ja me soodustame õiglasi, läbipaistvaid ja õigeaegseid õiguslikke protsesse kõigi nende küsimuste puhul," rõhutas ta.

Enne seda kutsus India välja Saksamaa New Delhi esinduse asejuhi, et esitada tugev protest nende välisbüroo pressiesindaja märkuste vastu Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwali vahistamise kohta.

Last Friday, a spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry, when questioned on the arrest of Kejriwal, said that he was entitled to a fair trial.

Saksamaa välisministeeriumi pressiesindaja sõnavõttude vastu astudes ütles India, et näeb neid märkustes sekkumisena India kohtuprotsessi ja India kohtusüsteemi sõltumatuse õõnestamisena, teatas välisministeerium eelmisel nädalal.

Täitevdirektoraat arreteeris Kejriwali väidetava rahapesu eest seoses Delhi aktsiisipoliitika juhtumiga.

The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Thursday extended the custodial remand of the Delhi Chief Minister by four more days till April 1.