Mushfiqul Fazal, UN correspondent
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar dismissed a recent remark by a UN spokesperson on elections in India, asserting that he does not require validation from the global body regarding the fairness of Indian elections.
During a press briefing at the United Nations, UN correspondent Mushfiqul Fazal questioned Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, regarding the Indian Foreign Minister’s dismissal of UN calls for fair elections in India.
“The Indian Foreign Minister has dismissed UN calls by saying, ‘I don’t need the UN to tell me our elections should be free and fair.’ How do you respond?” asked Mushfique.
In response, Dujarric stated, “I don’t tend to respond to responses of things that I’ve already said.”
Further probing the issue, Mushfique asked, “I’m just wondering if any Member States’ democratic rights have been challenged with crackdown on opposition, attacks on media and minorities by the government, should not the UN stand for these fundamental rights?”
Dujarric reiterated the UN’s stance, stating, “I said something very clear. I’m not changing what I said. What I’m saying to you is I’m not interested in going on a back and forth on having people comment on what I say than me commenting on what they said about my comments. So we stand by what we said.”
MR/
