India Pushes Back Against Dutch Concerns Over ‘Declining’ Press Freedom, ‘Eroding’ Minority Rights During PM Modi’s Netherlands Visit

A diplomatic exchange between India and the Netherlands over issues related to press freedom and minority rights has sparked sharp reactions, with New Delhi firmly rejecting remarks reportedly made by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to The Hague.

The controversy emerged after Dutch media reports claimed that Jetten had expressed concerns over what he described as a decline in media freedom and increasing pressure on minority rights in India. 

According to Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, the Dutch Prime Minister reportedly said that the Netherlands had concerns about “developments in India,” particularly relating to “press freedom” and “the rights of minorities”. 

“It is not only about press freedom, but also about the rights of minorities, who are under severe pressure. That applies in the first place to the Muslim community, but also to many other smaller communities. The concern is to what extent India remains an inclusive society where the same rights apply to everyone,” Dutch PM Jetten reportedly said ahead of the dinner hosted at Catshuis, his official residence as reported by two major Dutch dailies, NRC and de Volkskrant. 

The remarks reportedly came ahead of bilateral discussions between Modi and Jetten during the Indian Prime Minister’s two-day visit to the Netherlands. Reports suggested that Dutch officials had “regularly raised” these concerns with the Indian government. 

‘Lack of misunderstanding’: MEA rebuts Dutch claims 

India, however, strongly refuted the claims and described them as stemming from a “lack of understanding” about the country’s democratic structure, civilisational history and social diversity.

Responding to media queries in The Hague, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George defended India’s democratic credentials and pluralistic traditions. 
“We face these kinds of questions basically because of the lack of understanding of the person who asks the question,” George said during a media briefing. He asserted that India remains a “vibrant democracy” where freedom of speech and democratic participation continue to thrive. 

George highlighted India’s cultural and religious diversity while countering allegations regarding minority rights. Referring to India’s civilisational history, he said the country has been home to multiple religions for centuries and continues to uphold pluralism. He pointed out that Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism all originated in India and continue to flourish in the country. 

The MEA official also stressed that several minority communities have prospered in independent India. “When we became independent, the minority population was 11 per cent. Now it is more than 20 per cent,” George said, arguing that India’s diversity reflects its inclusive democratic structure. 

Defending India’s democratic process, George referred to recent Assembly elections and high voter participation as evidence of the country’s institutional strength. He noted that India had achieved economic and social progress without compromising democratic values. “We did not go for violence to eliminate poverty. We went through the democratic process,” he said. 

Indian official clarified that the issues of press freedom and minority rights were not formally raised during the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and the Dutch leadership. Sources cited in multiple reports said the matter surfaced only during interactions with sections of the Dutch media.