US watching Rahul’s case in Indian courts: State Dept

Washington: A US Department of State spokesperson has said that Washington is watching Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s case in Indian courts in the wake of the latter’s disqualification as an MP following a defamation case.

During a press briefing on Monday when asked if Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification was consistent with democratic values, the Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said: “Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence is a cornerstone of any democracy, and we’re watching Mr. Gandhi’s case in Indian courts, and we engage with the government of India on our shared commitment to democratic values — including, of course, freedom of expression.

“In our engagements with our Indian partners, we continue to highlight the importance of democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression, as a key to strengthening both our democracies.”

In response to another query if the US was still engaging with Rahul as the opposition leader, Patel said that although he did not have “any specific engagements to read out… it is normal and standard for us to engage with members of opposition parties in any country where we have bilateral relationships”.

On March 24, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as member of the Lok Sabha, a day after his conviction in the 2019 ‘Modi surname’ defamation case.

The Gandhi scion, who represented the Wayanad parliamentary constituency of Kerala, was disqualified under provisions of Article 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of Representation of the People’s Act.

He was on March 23 sentenced to two years in jail by a Surat court in the case filed on a complaint by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi.
IANS

No such idea exists: Pak Interior Minister on Zardari’s removal

Islamabad: Political uncertainty continues to grip Pakistan as President Asif Ali Zardari's fate hangs in balance following several reports which indicate that he might be removed, overthrown or deposed with...

Standing ovation, chants of ‘Modi, Modi’ as PM addresses Namibian Parliament

Windhoek: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a standing ovation from lawmakers and chants of 'Modi, Modi' reverberated in the air as he began his address to the Joint Session of...

Strengthening economic relations vital cog to deepen India-Brazil partnership: President Lula

Brasilia: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who met visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and held talks on a wide range of issues stressed the deepening...

UAE govt dismisses media reports on lifetime Golden Visa as fake news

Dubai: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has rejected reports published in some local and foreign media and websites about the UAE granting a lifetime...

Jane Street saga: Rahul Gandhi says F&O trading a playground for ‘big players’

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the futures and options (F&O) trading market has become a playground for 'big players,' and...

No country should weaponise critical minerals, technology or supply chain, says PM Modi

Rio de Janeiro: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that no country should weaponise critical minerals and technology or supply chains to further its own interests at a cost to...

Agriculture and trade partnership likely to get new impetus with PM’s landmark Brazil visit

Rio de Janeiro: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, the bilateral relations between India and Brazil are likely to receive a huge impetus, especially...

Death toll rises to 41 in Telangana pharma unit blast

Hyderabad: The death toll in the fire and explosion at Sigachi Industries Ltd's manufacturing unit in Pashamylaram near Hyderabad rose to 41 on Sunday.   One of the injured workers,...

Distance is no barrier to cultural connections: PM Modi on getting grand welcome from Indian diaspora in Argentina

Buenos Aires: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasised that distance is no barrier to cultural connections after receiving a warm and traditional welcome from the Indian diaspora upon his...

After NSA Doval and Rajnath Singh, EAM Jaishankar to visit China next week to attend SCO meeting

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will be on a three day visit to China starting July 13, sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed on...

OCI cards to be given to 6th generation of Indians in Trinidad & Tobago: PM Modi

Port of Spain: Highlighting that the sixth generations of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago are set to receive their Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, Prime Minister Narendra...

India will soon be world’s third-largest economy: PM Modi

Accra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that over the past decade, India has seen a major transformation across the spectrum, and on the foundations of stable polity and...

Read Previous

Kangana says KJo ‘banned’ Priyanka from Bollywood over SRK ‘friendship’

Read Next

Emerging headwinds could pose challenge in short-term for housing sector

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com