India has rejected reported concerns raised by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten over press freedom and minority rights, calling them a “lack of understanding” about the country’s democratic system and social fabric, according to NDTV.
The response came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, after a Dutch journalist questioned the absence of a joint press conference and referred to concerns about media freedom and the treatment of minorities, including Muslim communities.
Speaking to reporters in The Hague, India’s Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, said India remains a “vibrant democracy” where free speech is protected and political power changes peacefully through elections.
He pointed to recent state elections, highlighting high voter participation as a sign of democratic strength. George also stressed India’s long history and diversity, describing it as a civilization over 5,000 years old with a wide range of cultures, languages, and religions.
He noted that several major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, originated in India, while others such as Islam and Christianity have long been practiced in the country. According to him, minority communities have continued to grow since independence, which he said reflects social inclusion.
George also said India has pursued economic development without abandoning democratic values, emphasizing that progress has come through peaceful and constitutional means.
The remarks followed reports in Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, which said Prime Minister Jetten had expressed concern about developments in India, particularly regarding press freedom and the rights of minorities. The report said these issues had been raised regularly with Indian authorities.
However, in a public statement, Jetten also highlighted shared values between India and the Netherlands, including democracy, good governance, and a rules-based international order.
The exchange reflects ongoing global discussions about democratic standards, media freedom, and minority rights in large and diverse societies.
