The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday sharply reacted to a report by the US State Department which says that "human rights abuses" occurred in Manipur after violence broke out in the state last year.
The recently released '2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: India' report, states that the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur resulted in "significant human rights abuses".
It also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "shameful".
"This report is deeply biased and reflects a poor understanding of India. We attach no value to it and urge you to do the same,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
The report released by the State Department every year is mandated by the US Congress.
Also, while reacting to the campus protests in the US, Jaiswal said that there has to be a right balance between freedom of expression and a sense of responsibility.
"We have seen reports on the matter and have been following related events. In every democracy, there has to be the right balance between freedom of expression, sense of responsibility and public safety and order," he said.
Columbia University witnessed major protests over Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
"Democracies in particular should display this understanding in regard to other fellow democracies. After all, we are all judged by what we do at home and not what we say abroad," Jaiswal added.
During the MEA’s weekly briefing, while replying to a question regarding designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Jaiswal said that a high-level committee has been set up for probe.
“The high-level committee is looking into several information that was shared by the American side with us because they also equally impact our national security. The high-level committee is looking into those aspects, and that is where it is right now,” Jaiswal was quoted by ANI.
Jaiswal also confirmed that the health of the 15 Indian crew members on board the ship seized by Iran is good. “One girl who was there has returned. We had asked for consular access for these 16 people and we received that and our officers met them,” he said.
