US State Department defends India-US ties, questions BBC documentary on PM Modi
Row
The US State Department spokesperson Ned Price recently addressed a press briefing on the BBC documentary series attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. Price stated that the US and India share numerous elements that bolster their global strategic partnership, including political, economic and exceptionally deep people-to-people ties. He also highlighted the shared values between the two democracies and stressed that the US-India partnership is exceptionally deep.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and distanced himself from the BBC documentary series, saying he “doesn’t agree with the characterisation” of his Indian counterpart. The Ministry of External Affairs responded to the BBC story by claiming that it was entirely biased. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi raised questions on “the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it” and said that the documentary was a reflection of the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative.
Prominent Indian-origin UK citizens also condemned the series with Lord Rami Ranger saying that the “BBC caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians.” Price further stated that the US has always called for regional stability in South Asia and that its relationships with India and Pakistan stand on their own. He said that the pace and scope of dialogue between India and Pakistan is clearly a matter for the two countries.
The BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked controversy since its release and has been met with criticism from the US, UK and India. The US State Department spokesperson Ned Price highlighted the shared values between the US and India and the exceptionally deep people-to-people ties between the two nations. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and distanced himself from the BBC documentary series and the Ministry of External Affairs also claimed that it was entirely biased.
Prominent Indian-origin UK citizens also condemned the series and the US Department spokesperson also said that the US has always called for regional stability in South Asia and that its relationships with India and Pakistan stand on their own. He further stated that the pace and scope of dialogue between India and Pakistan is clearly a matter for the two countries. It is clear that the BBC documentary series has caused a great deal of controversy and hurt to the Indian population.
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