Mushfiqul Fazal AnsareyRecently, the United States has found itself navigating delicate diplomatic waters with India, as tensions have arisen over issues surrounding democratic principles, human rights, and sovereignty. The State Department’s recent comments regarding the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the freezing of the Congress Party’s bank accounts have ignited a diplomatic spat, further exacerbated by gratuitous accusations against the US from Russia. Additionally, journalists, including the author, have faced online harassment for asking probing questions, highlighting the precarious state of press freedom in India. Amidst these challenges, Prime Minister Modi’s inflammatory rhetoric against Muslim communities and the alarming human rights situation in India, as highlighted in the US State Department’s recent annual report, have added fuel to the fire.
The State Department’s reaffirmation of its commitment to fair and transparent legal processes in India underscores ongoing concerns about democratic backsliding and political turmoil in the country. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles and urged India to ensure a fair and timely legal process for all individuals, including political leaders like Kejriwal. However, India’s response has been sharp, with the summoning of US diplomats and warnings against perceived interference in its internal affairs. The Foreign Ministry’s statement emphasized the principle of sovereignty and raised concerns about setting unhealthy precedents in diplomatic relations between democracies.
Furthermore, the online harassment targeting journalists, including the author, for asking critical questions about India’s political landscape underscores the importance of press freedom and the need to protect journalists from intimidation and threats. This troubling trend not only stifles open dialogue but also undermines the fundamental tenets of democracy.
