The Ministry of External Affairs has strong objected to a Spokesperson of the US State Department for making a remark on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The US Spokesperson had reportedly told Reuters, “We encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal.”

India in reply said, “India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted.” The Ministry also said, “In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others.” It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents, it cautioned.

The Ministry had also summoned the acting Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy in New Delhi over the remarks.

Earlier on 23nd March 2024, the Ministry summoned the German Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi for the remarks made by Sebastian Fischer, spokesperson of the foreign office of the Government of Germany on the arrest of Delhi CM. Fischer had said, “We have taken note, India is a democratic country. We assume and expect that the standards relating to independence of Judiciary & basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case.”

AAP’s National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on late night of 21 March 2024 for alleged involvement in the Delhi excise case, just weeks before the Lok Sabha polls.