The US spokesman said all nations, including India, should follow democratic values such as freedom of expression. US spokesperson Ned Price said that the BBC documentary controversy about Modi is affecting press freedom. Ned said Washington upholds freedom of the press and all nations around the world should give importance to such democratic values.
We understand how important freedom of the press is. Democracy is strengthened by human values like freedom of speech and freedom of religion. We also emphasize this concept in our relations with other countries of the world. Same with India. Ned said in response to a media query about the BBC documentary.
Meanwhile, Ned Price had made a statement the other day that he was not aware of the documentary, but that he was aware of the values that India and the US share as two vibrant democracies.
Politically and economically, there are factors that underpin the strategic partnership between India and the US. Efforts should be made to reinforce the values that bind the two countries together. The partnership between India and the US is strong. Ned Price said that both the countries are following the things stipulated by the constitution.
I don’t know about the documentary you are asking about. But I am well aware of the values that the US and India share as two vibrant and prosperous democracies, Ned said.
The central government had banned a BBC documentary alleging the then chief minister Narendra Modi’s role in the Gujarat riots on social media.
The BBC started broadcasting the documentary series ‘India: The Modi Question’ last day.