US speaks about India summoning diplomat on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, Oppn's frozen bank accounts

Reacting to the summoning of an American diplomat by India over the remarks of the US on the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in the liquor policy case, Washington DC on Wednesday (Mar 27) reiterated its call for "fair, transparent, timely legal processes".

"We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal," said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller while responding to questions on India summoning Gloria Berbena.

Asked about the frozen bank accounts of the opposition Congress party, he said, “We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections. And we encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of these issues."

"With respect to your first question, I'm not going to talk about any private diplomatic conversations, but of course, what we have said publicly is what I just said from here, that we encourage fair, transparent, timely legal processes. We don't think anyone should object to that. We’ll make the same thing clear privately," the spokesperson said.

The summoning of the US diplomat at the South Block office of the foreign minister lasted for around 40 minutes on March 27 as India strongly objected to the remarks of the United States on Kerjiwal's arrest.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) last week arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi CM Kejriwal in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

Miller said the US has been monitoring developments around Kejriwals' arrest and encourages "fair, transparent and timely legal processes" for each of these issues.

India warns of "unhealthy precedents"

Earlier India's foreign ministry, reacting to the comments said, "States are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others, and this responsibility is even more so in the case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents."

"India's legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted," the ministry added in a statement.

The remarks were made by the United States days after Germany's Foreign Office emphasised that Kejriwal is entitled to an impartial and fair trial.

The Indian government also summoned the German envoy, saying Germany's remark was "blatant interference in internal matters".

Watch:Kejriwal Arrest: Delhi HC to hear PIL seeking removal of Kejriwal from CM post

On March 27, Germany's foreign ministry was again asked a question on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, to which its spokesperson said, "The Indian constitution - and I can say this from my own perspective as I was posted in India myself - guarantees fundamental human values and freedoms. And we share these democratic values with India as an important partner in Asia."

"The topic was discussed with the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday. Let me emphasise once again that we - India and Germany - have a great interest in closer co-operation and together in an atmosphere of trust," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)