German diplomat summoned by India after making comments about Delhi CM’s arrest

India summons German diplomat over comments on Kejriwal’s arrest

New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) India summoned a senior diplomat from the German Embassy and lodged a strong protest over comments on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, George Enzweiler, was seen leaving the Ministry of External Affairs office in the capital.

India called the comments “blatant interference” in India’s internal matters after the German foreign office said it expects that “standards regarding the independence of the judiciary and basic democratic principles” will apply in Kejriwal’s case. The remarks by Sebastian Fischer, a spokesperson for Germany’s foreign ministry, were in response to Kejriwal’s arrest weeks before the Lok Sabha elections.

“We have taken note of the case. India is a democratic country. We assume and expect that the standards relating to the independence of the judiciary and fundamental democratic principles will also apply in this case,” Fischer said according to his ministry’s website. The Enforcement Directorate termed the Aam Aadmi Party chief the kingpin of the alleged excise scam in collusion with other ministers of the Delhi government.

It claimed that Kejriwal was involved in the conspiracy of formulation of the Excise Policy 2021-22 to favour certain persons. A special court on Friday sent Kejriwal to six days of ED custody, till March 28. India has strongly objected to the German Embassy’s comments and emphasized that the legal process in Kejriwal’s case will be conducted in accordance with India’s laws.

India has made it clear that it considers the German Embassy’s statements as unwarranted interference in its internal affairs. The government reiterated its commitment to upholding the independence of the judiciary and democratic principles. The diplomatic spat between India and Germany highlights the sensitivity of international comments on India’s internal matters.

The Indian government’s reaction reflects its determination to safeguard its sovereignty and oppose any external interference. The comments by the German Embassy have sparked a diplomatic confrontation that underscores the importance of respecting the legal processes and domestic affairs of sovereign nations.