'We support free press': US Clarifies Stand on India Banning BBC Documentary on PM Narendra Modi

Ned Price also talked about India-US relations and stated numerous elements bolster the US` global strategic partnership with India, which include political, economic, and exceptionally deep people-to-people ties.

Ned Price

The US State Department stated that it is essential to emphasise the significance of democratic concepts like freedom of expression and make it a point around the world as well as in India after India barred the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a regular briefing on Wednesday, US State Department spokesman Ned Price emphasised that Washington supports a free press worldwide and that it is crucial to emphasise democratic principles like freedom of expression.

Responding to a media query, Price said, "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 and freedom of religion or belief, as human rights that contribute to the strengthening of our democracies. This is a point we make in our relationships around the world. It`s certainly a point we`ve made in India as well."

Earlier, addressing a press briefing on Monday (local time), Price stated numerous elements bolster the US` global strategic partnership with India, which include political, economic, and exceptionally deep people-to-people ties.

"I`m not familiar with the documentary you`re referring to. I am very familiar with the shared values that enact the United States and India as two thriving, vibrant democracies. When we have concerns about actions that are taken in India, we`ve voiced those we've had to do that," he said.

Last week, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and distanced himself from the BBC documentary series, saying he "doesn`t agree with the characterisation" of his Indian counterpart.

Sunak made these remarks on the controversial documentary that was raised in the British Parliament by Pakistan-origin MP Imran Hussain.UK`s national broadcaster BBC had aired a two-part series attacking PM Narendra Modi`s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms.

The Ministry of External Affairs responded to the BBC story by claiming that it was entirely biased. While addressing a weekly presser in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We think this is a propaganda piece. This has no objectivity. This is biased. Do note that this hasn`t been screened in India. We don`t want to answer more on this so that this doesn`t get much dignity." He even raised questions on "the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it." 

(With ANI Inputs)