India Protests US Remarks on Judicial System Amid Arrest of Delhi Chief Minister

India protested to Washington's remarks on India's judicial system in relation to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday by calling the acting deputy chief of mission (DCM) at the US embassy.

More than a day after a US State Department spokesman told Reuters in response to an email about the arrest that "we encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for chief minister Kejriwal," Acting DCM Gloria Berbena was called to the External Affairs Ministry in the South Block in full view of the media.

Germany was the first major democracy to remark on the arrest, followed by the US.

Spokesman for the foreign affairs ministry Randhir Jaiswal released a statement shortly after Berbena departed the South Block, outlining India's reaction to the US state department's remarks but omitting any mention of the summons.

"We vehemently disagree with the statements made by the US State Department Spokesperson on specific judicial procedures in India. States are supposed to respect each other's sovereignty and internal issues while engaging in diplomatic relations. This obligation is heightened when dealing with other democratic nations. If not, it can wind up creating unfavorable precedents.

The foundation of India's legal systems is an independent court dedicated to prompt, impartial decisions. It is inappropriate to disparage it, the statement added.

India also called the DCM of the German embassy in the instance of Germany, but the ministry recognized this in an official statement.

As far as India is concerned, the summons on Saturday seems to have had the intended impact on the German front. A representative for the German Foreign Office said, "The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental human values and freedoms," when asked on Wednesday whether Germany fully trusted the Indian legal system. And as a significant Asian ally, we both uphold these democratic ideals.