Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:05pm on 18 May 2026,Monday India Global
India strongly rejected reported remarks by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on press freedom and minority rights, calling them a “lack of understanding” of India’s democracy, history and diversity. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Netherlands visit, MEA Secretary Sibi George defended India as a 5,000-year-old civilisation rooted in pluralism and religious coexistence. Responding to questions from Dutch journalists, George highlighted India’s democratic elections, religious diversity and growing minority population, asserting that persecuted communities historically found refuge in India. He said Christianity and Islam flourished in India for centuries and noted that minorities now form over 20 per cent of the population. The remarks followed reports that Jetten privately raised concerns over media freedom and minority rights.
