India Responds to Dutch PM Statement
New Delhi: India has strongly rejected reported comments attributed to Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten regarding press freedom and minority rights in the country, stating that such observations stem from a “lack of understanding” of India’s democratic system, cultural diversity and historical background.
The issue surfaced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the Netherlands, where Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George addressed questions raised by a Dutch journalist during a media interaction.
Responding to concerns about media freedom and minority rights, Sibi George defended India’s democratic credentials and called it a civilisation with deep historical roots.
“These questions show a lack of understanding about India,” he said, adding that India is home to over 1.4 billion people and represents one of the most diverse societies in the world.
He highlighted that India’s pluralism is reflected in its languages, religions, cuisine and cultural traditions.
George pointed out that India is the birthplace of four major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, which continue to flourish in the country.
He also referred to the long-standing presence of other religious communities, stating that Judaism has existed in India for more than 2,500 years and has never faced persecution in the same manner as in several other regions.
He further noted that Christianity arrived in India in the early centuries and has since grown significantly, while Islam also has deep historical roots in the country.
Defending India’s democratic process, George said the country has consistently held large-scale elections with high voter participation. He referred to the most recent elections where a significant majority of eligible voters exercised their franchise.
“India has chosen the democratic path for development and poverty reduction,” he said, adding that the country has avoided conflict-driven progress models.
He also remarked that India accounts for nearly one-sixth of the global population but not a proportional share of global problems, urging critics to better understand the nation’s complexity.
The controversy stems from reported comments in Dutch media, which suggested that Prime Minister Rob Jetten had raised concerns over press freedom and minority rights before meeting PM Modi. However, it remains unclear whether the remarks were made directly in that form.
According to reports, Jetten had also acknowledged shared democratic values between India and the Netherlands and referenced ongoing diplomatic discussions, including a long-standing child custody matter.
Concluding the response, Sibi George urged observers to engage more deeply with India’s realities before drawing conclusions, emphasising that the country continues to evolve as a diverse and functioning democracy.
