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India rejects notion of decline in media freedom, minority rights after remarks by Dutch PM
India and Netherlands ink 17 pacts, elevate ties to strategic partnership during PM Narendra Modi's visit
The Indian government has rejected the notion of a decline in media freedom and rights of minority communities, with a senior diplomat saying the country is a “vibrant democracy” that has achieved economic progress without compromising on democratic principles.
The comments were made by Sibi George, secretary (West) in the external affairs ministry, while responding to questions from Dutch reporters about comments reportedly made by Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten expressing concern at a perceived slide in freedom of expression in India.
“We face this kind of question basically because of the lack of understanding of the person who asks the question,” George said at a news briefing in the Netherlands capital on Saturday night following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Jetten.
The Netherlands was the second stop in a five-nation tour by Modi.
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Did Dutch PM raise issue?
People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that the Dutch PM did not raise these issues with his Indian counterpart during their bilateral meetings or any other engagement on Saturday.
The talks between the two leaders concluded with a decision to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, and the two sides took steps to boost cooperation in migration and mobility, shipping, critical minerals and renewable energy.
George sought to defend India’s position on media freedom and rights of minority communities by highlighting the country’s cultural, linguistic and religious diversity.
Four religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism — originated in India and continue to flourish in the country, while Christianity came to the region immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and Islam came to India during the time of Prophet Mohammed himself, he said.
‘Beauty of India’
“India is perhaps one of those very few countries where the Jewish population never faced persecution. This is the beauty of India,” he said.
George cited assembly elections held in several states recently that had witnessed the participation of more than 90% of the electorate, and said: “This is the beauty of India. It's a vibrant democracy…That is how we are moving ahead with the democratic process to become a developed country.”
India has also achieved economic progress and become the fastest growing major economy “without compromising on our democratic principles”, he said.
“We are one-sixth of the total population of the world but not one-sixth of the problems of the world. This is the beauty of India which makes us proud. Every minority thrives,” George said. “When we became independent, the minority population in India was 11%. Now it is more than 20%. Name a country where the population of minorities has gone up.”
