India on Sunday (May 17) rejected the reported comments made by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on media freedom and minority rights in the country. In a firm rebuttal, New Delhi said that such concerns arise from “lack of understanding” about India’s history, cultural diversity and democracy. This comes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, where the Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George addressed questions raised by reporters during a media conference.“We face these kinds of questions basically because of the lack of understanding of the person who asks the question,” George said at the Hague.“India is a country of 1.4 billion people, the largest populated country in the world. A country of civilisation of more than 5000 years old. It’s a diverse country – diversity in terms of culture, diversity in terms of languages, diversity in terms of food, diversity in terms of religion,” he said.Describing India’s electoral process as evidence of the country’s democratic strength, he said, “Recently, we had elections. You need to know what the level of participation was. More than 90 per cent of the electorate voted. This is the beauty of India.”Calling India a “vibrant democracy”, George said that the country has progressed economically to eliminate poverty without compromising on democratic principles. “We did not go for violence to eliminate poverty. We went through the democratic process to eliminate poverty,” he said.“We are one-sixth of the total population of the world but not one-sixth of the problems of the world. This is the beauty of India which makes us proud. Every minority thrives,” he added. “When we became independent, the minority population in India was 11 per cent. Now it is more than 20 per cent. Name a country where the population of minorities has gone up.”

India rejected reported Dutch PM Rob Jetten’s remarks on media freedom and minority rights, saying critics lack understanding of India’s diversity, democracy and strong minority representation.

India on Sunday (May 17) rejected the reported comments made by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on media freedom and minority rights in the country. In a firm rebuttal, New Delhi said that such concerns arise from “lack of understanding” about India’s history, cultural diversity and democracy. This comes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, where the Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George addressed questions raised by reporters during a media conference. “We face these kinds of questions basically because of the lack of understanding of the person who asks the question,” George said at the Hague. “India is a country of 1.4 billion people, the largest populated country in the world. A country of civilisation of more than 5000 years old. It’s a diverse country – diversity in terms of culture, diversity in terms of languages, diversity in terms of food, diversity in terms of religion,” he said. Describing India’s electoral process as evidence of the country’s democratic strength, he said, “Recently, we had elections. You need to know what the level of participation was. More than 90 per cent of the electorate voted. This is the beauty of India.” Calling India a “vibrant democracy”, George said that the country has progressed economically to eliminate poverty without compromising on democratic principles. “We did not go for violence to eliminate poverty. We went through the democratic process to eliminate poverty,” he said. “We are one-sixth of the total population of the world but not one-sixth of the problems of the world. This is the beauty of India which makes us proud. Every minority thrives,” he added. “When we became independent, the minority population in India was 11 per cent. Now it is more than 20 per cent. Name a country where the population of minorities has gone up.”

India rejected reported Dutch PM Rob Jetten’s remarks on media freedom and minority rights, saying critics lack understanding of India’s diversity, democracy and strong minority representation.

‘Lack of understanding’: MEA rejects Dutch PM’s remarks on media freedom, minority rights in India

The Dutch National Security Advisor (NSA) Geoffrey Van Leeuwen on Thursday held talks with India's NSA Ajit Doval during in which the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan dominated.

It&nbsp;was the first such visit by the Dutch NSA to Delhi and comes even as the Indian capital has seen a slew of visits, including by the foreign ministers from&nbsp;UK, Russia, Mexico, German NSA and Deputy American NSA in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION, Security and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands&nbsp;Geoffrey&nbsp;said, "As national security advisor’s to our respective PMs our main objective was to exchange views on the current security challenges we are facing. We discussed the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and we discussed how we can strengthen our cooperation in the Asia Pacific."

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between India and the Netherlands. In April, the Indian president will pay a state visit to the Netherlands to celebrate the establishment of ties.&nbsp;

NSA Geoffrey highlighted that, "we touched upon several bilateral issues. The visit must be seen in the intensification of our bilateral relationship over the last couple of years. The massive trade and investment relationship, the many visits of our PMs, a state visit by our King and Queen, and next week's state visit by the President of India are all testimony to how close we have become. My visit today fits within that picture."

PM Modi had visited the Netherlands in 2017.&nbsp;During the visit, the PM called on the King and Queen of the Netherlands and held bilateral discussions with PM Mark Rutte and other members of his Cabinet. It&nbsp;was followed by the&nbsp;visit of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to India in May, 2018. He led the largest ever Dutch trade mission to India which comprised over 130 companies/institutions and nearly 200 trade representatives.

The Dutch National Security Advisor (NSA) Geoffrey Van Leeuwen on Thursday held talks with India's NSA Ajit Doval during in which the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan dominated.

The Dutch National Security Advisor (NSA) Geoffrey Van Leeuwen on Thursday held talks with India's NSA Ajit Doval during in which the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan dominated. It was the first such visit by the Dutch NSA to Delhi and comes even as the Indian capital has seen a slew of visits, including by the foreign ministers from UK, Russia, Mexico, German NSA and Deputy American NSA in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Speaking to WION, Security and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Geoffrey said, "As national security advisor’s to our respective PMs our main objective was to exchange views on the current security challenges we are facing. We discussed the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and we discussed how we can strengthen our cooperation in the Asia Pacific." This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between India and the Netherlands. In April, the Indian president will pay a state visit to the Netherlands to celebrate the establishment of ties. NSA Geoffrey highlighted that, "we touched upon several bilateral issues. The visit must be seen in the intensification of our bilateral relationship over the last couple of years. The massive trade and investment relationship, the many visits of our PMs, a state visit by our King and Queen, and next week's state visit by the President of India are all testimony to how close we have become. My visit today fits within that picture." PM Modi had visited the Netherlands in 2017. During the visit, the PM called on the King and Queen of the Netherlands and held bilateral discussions with PM Mark Rutte and other members of his Cabinet. It was followed by the visit of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to India in May, 2018. He led the largest ever Dutch trade mission to India which comprised over 130 companies/institutions and nearly 200 trade representatives.

Discussed Ukraine, Afghanistan with NSA Doval: Dutch NSA Geoffrey Van Leeuwen

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‘Lack of understanding’: MEA rejects Dutch PM’s remarks on media freedom, minority rights in India

Discussed Ukraine, Afghanistan with NSA Doval: Dutch NSA Geoffrey Van Leeuwen