BBC aired a two-part sequence attacking PM Modi’s tenure as Gujarat CM in the course of the Gujarat riots of 2002.
Washington:
“I’m not familiar with the documentary you’re referring to, however, I am very familiar with the shared values that enact the United States and India as two thriving and vibrant democracies,” US State
Department spokesperson Ned Price mentioned on Monday, responding to a media question on a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi which has sparked controversy since its launch.
Addressing a press briefing on Monday (native time), Price mentioned that there are quite a few parts that bolster the US’ world strategic partnership with India which embody political, financial and exceptionally deep people-to-people ties.
Calling India’s democracy a vibrant one, he mentioned “we look to everything that ties us together, and we look to reinforce all of those elements that tie us together,” as he underlined the diplomatic ties that US and India share with one another.
He additionally pressured the truth that the partnership that the US shares with India is exceptionally deep and that each nations share the values which are widespread to American democracy and to Indian democracy.
“I’m not aware of this documentary that you point to, but I will say broadly, is that there are a number of elements that undergird the global strategic partnership that we have with our Indian partners.
There are close political ties, there are economic ties, and there are exceptionally deep people-to-people ties between the United States and India. But one of those additional elements are the values that we share the values that are common to American democracy and to Indian democracy,” he added.
Last week, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and distanced himself from the BBC documentary sequence, saying he “doesn’t agree with the characterisation” of his Indian counterpart.
Mr Sunak made these remarks on the controversial documentary that was raised within the British Parliament by Pakistan-origin MP Imran Hussain.
“The UK government’s position on this has been clear and longstanding and hasn’t changed, of course, we don’t tolerate persecution where it appears anywhere but I am not sure I agree at all with the characterisation that the honourable gentleman has put forward to,” Mr Sunak mentioned whereas responding to Hussain’s query on the BBC report.
UK’s nationwide broadcaster BBC aired a two-part sequence attacking PM Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister in the course of the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was faraway from choose platforms.
The Ministry of External Affairs responded to the BBC story by claiming that it was totally biased.
While addressing a weekly presser in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson
Arindam Bagchi mentioned, “We think this is a propaganda piece. This has
no objectivity. This is biased. Do note that this hasn’t been screened in India.
We don’t want to answer more on this so that this doesn’t get much dignity.”
He even raised questions on “the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it.”
“The documentary is a reflection of the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative again. It makes us wonder about the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it; frankly, we do not wish to dignify these efforts,” he added.
Referring to obvious remarks made by former UK Secretary Jack Straw within the documentary sequence, Mr Bagchi mentioned “He (Jack Straw) seems to be referring to some internal UK report. How do I have access to that? It’s a 20-year-old report. Why would we jump on it now? Just because Jack Straw says it how do they lend it that much legitimacy.”
“I heard words like inquiry and investigations. There is a reason why we use the colonial mindset. We don’t use words loosely. What inquiry they were diplomats there…investigation, are they ruling the country?” Mr Bagchi requested.
Prominent Indian-origin UK residents condemned the sequence. Prominent UK citizen Lord Rami Ranger mentioned the “BBC caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians.”
Furthermore, the US Department spokesperson additionally mentioned that the US has at all times known as for regional stability in South Asia and that its relationships with India and Pakistan stand on their very own.
He additional acknowledged that the tempo and scope of dialogue between India and Pakistan is clearly a matter for the 2 international locations.
‘We’ve lengthy known as for regional stability in South Asia. Our relationships with India & Pakistan stand on their very own and we do not see them as zero-sum. But tempo, scope & character of any dialogue between India & Pakistan is a matter for the 2 international locations,” Price said during the briefing.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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