India and the Netherlands sign 17 agreements and elevate relations to a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit
The Indian government has rejected the idea of a decline in media freedom and minority rights, with a senior diplomat saying the country is a “vibrant democracy” that has achieved economic progress without compromising democratic principles.
The remarks were made by Sippy George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, while responding to questions from Dutch journalists regarding comments reportedly made by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten expressing concern over the perceived decline in freedom of expression in India.
“We face these kinds of questions mainly because of the lack of understanding of the person asking the question,” George said at a press conference in the Dutch capital on Saturday evening following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Gitten.
The Netherlands was the second stop on Modi’s five-country tour.
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Did the Dutch Prime Minister raise this issue?
The Dutch Prime Minister did not raise these issues with his Indian counterpart during their bilateral meetings or any other meetings on Saturday, people familiar with the matter said, on condition of anonymity.
The talks between the two leaders concluded with a decision to raise bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, and the two sides took steps to enhance cooperation in the areas of migration, mobility, shipping, vital minerals and renewable energy.
George sought to defend India’s position on media freedom and minority rights by highlighting the country’s cultural, linguistic and religious diversity.
He said that 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 Christ, and Islam came to India during the reign of the Prophet Muhammad himself.
“Beauty of India”
“India is perhaps one of those very few countries where the Jewish population has never faced persecution. That is the beauty of India,” he said.
George cited the recent assembly elections that took place in several states, which witnessed the participation of more than 90% of voters. He said: “This is the beauty of India. It is a vibrant democracy… and this is the way we move forward in the democratic process to become a developed country.”
He added that India has also achieved economic progress and become the fastest growing major economy “without compromising our democratic principles.”
“We constitute one-sixth of the world’s total population, but we do not represent one-sixth of the world’s problems. This is the beauty of India that makes us proud. Every minority is thriving,” George said. “When we became independent, the minority population in India was 11%. Now it has risen to more than 20%. In which country has the minority population increased?”
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