In response to the BBC documentary on the Gujarat riots of 2002, White House spokesman, Ned Price, highlighted the solidity of the partnership that the US has maintained with India as remarkably strong. He also mentioned that both countries presently share the ideas and beliefs that are common to American democracy, as well as Indian democracy.
When the media asked questions about the BBC documentary on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US Department spokesperson Ned Price said that he is not familiar with the mentioned documentary, however, he is familiar with the values both countries share as “two thriving and vibrant democracies”.
On Monday, Price addressed a press briefing by saying, “numerous elements bolster the US’ global strategic partnership with India which include political, economic, and exceptionally deep people-to-people ties”.
He called India’s democracy a vibrant one and said that the US looks over everything that ties both the countries together, and the US also looks forward to reinforcing all of those elements that tie the nations together, underlining the diplomatic ties that the US and India share.
He added, “I’m not aware of this documentary that you point to, but I will say broadly, that there are a number of elements that undergird the global strategic partnership that we have with our Indian partners. There are close political ties, there are economic ties, and there are exceptionally deep people-to-people ties between the United States and India. But one of those additional elements is the values that we share and that are common to American democracy and Indian democracy”.
Earlier last week, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak disassociated himself from the controversial BBC documentary series. He defended PM Narendra Modi by saying that he doesn’t agree with the characterization of his Indian counterpart.
Mr. Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, made these assertions in the controversial documentary that was brought up in the British Parliament by MP Imran Hussain, who is of Pakistani origin person.
Mr. Sunak, while responding to Mr. Hussain on this matter, also added that “The UK government’s position on this has been clear and longstanding and hasn’t changed, of course, we don’t tolerate persecution where it appears anywhere but I am not sure I agree at all with the characterization that the honourable gentleman has put forward to.”
What’s the BBC Documentary making such a fuss about?
BBC, UK’s national broadcaster released a two-part documentary series targeting PM Narendra Modi’s administration as Gujarat’s Chief Minister during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The documentary series draws attention to a previously unpublished report, attained by the BBC from the British Foreign Office. It raises questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s course of actions during the Gujarat religious riots that had come into sight after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims the day before burst into flames, killing dozens of innocent people. The number of people killed was more than 1,000, mostly Muslims. It has been one of the worst since Independence.
The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms. According to the BBC, the series was committed to highlighting important issues concerning the world. The broadcaster also claimed that the Indian government was also given the right to review the documentary series, but they refused to do so.
The Ministry of External Affairs countered the documentary by arguing that it was entirely biassed. Arindam Bagchi, MEA spokesperson said that the Indian government thinks this is a propaganda piece and this series has no objectivity. It is extremely biassed.
While addressing the press, he further added, ” Do note that this hasn’t been screened in India. We don’t want to answer more on this so that this doesn’t get much dignity.” He also raised questions on “the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it.”
Mr. Bagchi referred to former UK Secretary Jack Straw’s remarks in the documentary series and stated that he heard words like inquiry and investigations. He thinks that this is the reason why people use words like colonial mindset. He asked, “Is it because they are ruling the people of our country?”
Well-known UK citizen Lord Rami Ranger said that the BBC caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians. Many other prominent Indian-origin UK citizens felt the series was offensive.
Having said that, the US Department spokesperson, Ned Price also said that the US has throughout called for regional stability in South Asia and also that US relationships with India and Pakistan are doing well enough.
He also said that the pace and scope of discussions and talks between India and Pakistan is an affair for the two nations.
Having said that, the US Department spokesperson, Ned Price also said that the US has throughout called for regional stability in South Asia and also that US relationships with India and Pakistan are doing well enough.
He also said that the pace and scope of discussions and talks between India and Pakistan is an affair for the two nations.
