US State Department ignores Pakistani journalist’s query on Income Tax survey on BBC

The US State Department on Tuesday (native time) ignored a Pakistani journalist’s query on the survey at BBC workplaces in Delhi and Mumbai by Indian tax authorities. 

When ARY’s reporter in Washington Jahanzaib Ali requested about “any thoughts and concern” over the survey, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated, “We are aware of the search of BBC offices in Delhi by Indian tax authorities.” The reporter additional questioned to get the US State Department’s response however Ned Price refused to wade into the controversy or touch upon the matter. 

Notably, Pakistani journalist Ali, cited the BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots and stated he “regretted” that no US official had criticized it, whereas the US State Department highlighted the shut relationship between the 2 international locations, particularly over shared values. 

“What I will say broadly is that there are a number of elements that undergird the global strategic partnership that we have with our Indian partners. There are close political ties, there are economic ties, and there are exceptionally deep people-to-people ties between the United States and India. But one of those additional elements are the values that we share, the values that are common to American democracy and to Indian democracy,” Price stated throughout common press briefing. 

“I am very familiar with the shared values that connect the United States and India as two thriving, vibrant democracies. When we have concerns about actions that are taken in India, we have voiced those. We have had an occasion to do that. But we want first and foremost to reinforce those values that are at the heart of our relationship,” he added. 

Price said that India is the world’s largest democracy, and in addition a vibrant one. “We look to everything that ties us together, and we look to reinforce all of those elements that tie us together.” 

However, Price laid stress on the significance of a free press all over the world and requested the reporter to check with Indian authorities for the small print of this search. 

“Beyond this discrete action, what I’ll say more broadly is the general point that I’ve consistently made in this context, but in the universal context text as well. We support the importance of a free press around the world. We continue to highlight the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief as human rights that contribute to strengthening democracies around the world. It has strengthened this democracy here in this country. It has strengthened India’s democracy. These universal rights are the bedrock of democracies around the world,” stated Price. 

Earlier, Income tax officers arrived at BBC workplaces situated on the nationwide capital’s KG Marg for the survey. The British broadcaster’s workplace at Kalina Santacruz in Mumbai was additionally surveyed, sources stated including that the survey was restricted to the enterprise premises of BBC solely. 

According to experiences, a crew of IT officers arrived on the BBC Studios workplace in Kalina Santacruz round 11.30 am right now and a survey has been occurring since then. There isn’t any IT exercise on the BBC News workplace at Linking highway Bandra West. 
It is realized that the tax officers are conducting verification of sure account paperwork within the finance division of the BBC workplaces. 

During the investigation, the cell phones of all the staff current within the BBC workplace have been taken away by the Income Tax crew. The information of the pc saved within the accounts and finance division was additionally scanned. According to sources, officers stated the units shall be returned to their homeowners after taking a backup. 

The searches come weeks after the BBC launched a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi – ‘India: The Modi Question,” which brought about controversy on January 21, the Centre had issued instructions for blocking a number of YouTube movies and Twitter posts sharing hyperlinks to the controversial BBC documentary on PM Modi. The Supreme Court had on February 3 directed the central authorities to provide authentic information referring to its resolution to dam the BBC documentary.

(This information report is revealed from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content material has not been written or edited by OpIndia employees)