BBC Documentary Line: Amid the ongoing controversy over BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United States (US) said that it is necessary to stress the importance of democratic concepts like freedom of expression and make a point of it across the world as well as in India . It termed India’s decision to ban the BBC documentary as “a matter of freedom of the press”.
Addressing the regular press briefing on Wednesday, January 25, US State Department spokesman Ned Price underlined that Washington supports free press around the world and that this is the right time to highlight democratic principles such as freedom of expression.
US calls for highlighting the importance of democratic principles
“We support the importance of a free press around the world. We continue to highlight the importance of democratic principles such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief as human rights that contribute to strengthening our democracies It is a point we make in our relationships across the world. It is certainly a point we make in India as well,” he told the media.
The latest comments from a US State Department spokesman came two days after Price claimed he was not familiar with the documentary. “I am not familiar with the documentary you are referring to, however, I am very familiar with the shared values that make the United States and India two thriving and vibrant democracies,” he said at a press briefing on January 23. set up as.
US on its global strategic engagement with India
He also said that there are many factors, including political, economic and incredibly deep people-to-people ties, that support America’s global strategic partnership with India. Describing India’s democracy as vibrant, Price said the US pays attention to everything that ties the two countries together.
Read also: ‘Not familiar…’: US reacts to controversial BBC documentary criticizing PM Modi
It is to be noted here that the UK based media, BBC released a documentary- “India: The Modi Question”. The documentary, which was released last week and is now banned in India, is reportedly based on the Gujarat riots and the then role. Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
(With inputs from ANI)