A US Department of State spokesperson brought the example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while defending Joe Biden’s government’s action to shield Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. During the press briefing, the principal deputy spokesperson of the State Department, Vedant Patel stated that the United Nations of America has granted similar immunity to several heads of state in the past. These comments were made in view that this is not the first time the US has done such a thing.
“President Aristide in Haiti in 1993, President Mugabe in Zimbabwe in 2001, Prime Minister Modi in India in 2014…” he cited the examples.
Ministry of External Affairs, Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi reacted sharply to the reference to bringing Modi into the picture. “I fail to understand how the inclusion of Prime Minister Modi’s name was relevant or necessary,” he said.
