FIT IN CONSULTANTS

Responding to Germany’s remarks on Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair’s arrest, India on Thursday said that such comments are “unhelpful and should be avoided”.

“There is a judicial process. Won’t be appropriate to comment on matter that is sub judice. Independence of our judiciary is well recognised and uninformed comments are unhelpful and should be avoided,” said MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi during the press briefing.

Earlier, a representative of the German foreign ministry has made a remark on Zubair’s arrest. He had said, “India describes itself as the world’s largest democracy. So one can expect democratic values like freedom of expression and of the press to be given the necessary space there.”

Zubair was arrested on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

India’s G20 presidency:

Speaking on India’s G20 presidency, Bagchi said that New Delhi will assume the presidency of G20 in December, this year and a large number of G20 events will be organised across the country during our presidency.

On Vivo directors fleeing from India:

Terming it a legal issue, an MEA Spokesperson said, “We haven’t received information from the authorities. It’s a legal issue, as & when we’ll receive something & there is a need to speak with China, we have a system of mutual assistance.”

“Companies who operate here need to follow the law of the land. Our legal authorities are taking steps as per law of the land. I don’t see the case to make comments as such on it,” he added.

UK PM Boris Johnson’s resignation:

On UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation, the MEA spokesperson said, “These are internal developments. We are keeping a close watch. PM Modi and PM Johnson enjoyed a close friendship. We have a multi-faceted partnership with the UK and we hope this will continue. We won’t comment on leadership change.”

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