The US State Department spokesperson has stated that they are closely following reports of the arrest of Indian opposition figure Arvind Kejriwal and are encouraging a fair and transparent legal process. Kejriwal, who is a national opposition figure and the chief minister of Delhi’s capital territory, was arrested on corruption charges by India’s financial crime-fighting agency. However, his political party rejects these charges. Germany’s foreign office spokesperson, Sebastian Fischer, stated that Kejriwal, like anyone else facing accusations, is entitled to a fair and impartial trial. India summoned a German envoy in protest against Germany’s remarks about the arrest.

Germany’s foreign office spokesperson stressed the importance of the standards relating to the independence of judiciary and basic democratic principles being applied in Kejriwal’s case. However, India viewed Germany’s comments as interfering in its judicial process and undermining the independence of its judiciary. India’s Ministry of External Affairs released a statement stating that biased assumptions made about the case were unwarranted.

In response to India’s protest against Germany, the US State Department spokesperson referred the issue to the German Foreign Ministry for comment on their discussions with the Indian government. The US regards India as an important strategic and economic partner in its efforts to counter China’s growing influence. However, rights advocates have accused the Biden administration of prioritizing strategic considerations over human rights criticism in its dealings with India.

India’s government, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, denies any political interference in Kejriwal’s case. The State Department’s reaction to India’s protest has not yet been commented on by India’s Washington embassy.