NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Supreme Court Of India
    Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    Indian Army
    Indian Railways
    Indian Air Force
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / India News / Jaishankar replies to UK counterpart's BBC I-T 'survey' query 'firmly'
    India

    Jaishankar replies to UK counterpart's BBC I-T 'survey' query 'firmly'

    Jaishankar replies to UK counterpart's BBC I-T 'survey' query 'firmly'
    Written by Manzoor-ul-Hassan
    Mar 01, 2023, 06:08 pm 3 min read
    Jaishankar replies to UK counterpart's BBC I-T 'survey' query 'firmly'
    MEA S Jaishankar has replied to UK counterpart's BBC's I-T 'survey' query 'firmly'

    The Minister of External Affairs (MEA) S Jaishankar "firmly" responded to his United Kingdom counterpart, James Cleverly, on Wednesday when he brought up the "survey" at British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) offices in Mumbai and Delhi by the Income Tax Department. Jaishankar replied that all of its entities operating in India must follow Indian law during a bilateral meeting ahead of G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

    Why does this story matter?

    • The I-T Department conducted a "survey" of BBC offices weeks after the Central government banned the controversial BBC documentary India: The Modi Question, labeling it colonial propaganda. It alleged that the survey is part of the tax evasion investigation.
    • Later, the British government defended the BBC, saying that the broadcaster's editorial freedom is crucial and that the "raids" were discussed with the Indian government.

    S Jaishankar's 'firm' reply to UK counterpart

    According to NDTV, in his reply to Cleverly, Jaishankar "firmly told" him that all entities operating in India must comply with Indian law. "All entities operating in India must comply fully with relevant laws and regulations," Cleverly was reportedly told. Earlier, the Union Finance Ministry had also flagged "income/profits shown by various BBC entities," saying they were not commensurate with its scale of operations.

    UK Foreign Minister raised tax 'raid' on BBC with Jaishankar 

    Speaking to Reuters in an interview, Cleverly said he raised the issue of the BBC tax survey with India's Minister of Foreign Affairs (MEA), S Jaishankar during a bilateral meeting held in Delhi on Wednesday as part of G20 summit. To recall, the I-T department conducted searches at the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai last month for at least three days.

    UK government defends BBC; MPs too voiced concern

    Last week, the United Kingdom government defended the BBC and its editorial freedom in its Parliament. The government led by Indian-origin Rishi Sunak termed the survey 'deeply worrying' but added that it would not comment on an ongoing investigation. Labor Party MPs also expressed concern about the I-T action, which Northern Ireland MP Jim Shannon described as a "deliberate act of intimidation."

    I-T Department collected financial, other documents from BBC 

    Reportedly, the sleuths of the I-T Department gathered many documents and financial data from BBC offices. They claimed the material was linked to alleged tax evasion. They also made copies of the organization's electronic and paper-based financial data. Notably, the department claimed that it has been investigating overseas taxation, and the transfer pricing policy of BBC and its subsidiary companies.

    Operation invites criticism; UK said closely 'monitoring' situation

    Meanwhile, many political parties and media entities, notably the Editors' Guild of India (EGI), criticized the searches shortly after they began on February 14 at the BBC's offices. However, the BJP's spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia termed BBC as "the most corrupt institution in the world." The US government made no comment, while the UK government said it was "closely monitoring" the situation.

    Controversy triggered by BBC Modi documentary 

    The I-T survey was conducted only a few weeks after the contentious BBC Modi documentary was released, which outraged the BJP-led Centre. The documentary questioned PM Modi's role as Gujarat's CM during the 2002 riots, which killed over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims.

    PIL seeking complete ban on BBC in India rejected 

    Last month, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition seeking a total ban on BBC in the country for its documentary on Prime Minister Modi and its charges related to the 2002 Gujarat riots. An SC bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Sanjiv Khanna ruled that the PIL filed by Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta was completely misconceived.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    BBC
    United Kingdom
    S Jaishankar
    Income Tax Department of India

    BBC

    David Attenborough birthday special: 5 must-watch documentaries by natural historian Entertainment
    Meera Syal to be honored with BAFTA TV Fellowship BAFTA
    Hollywood: Actors Joe Cole-Alexandra Roach to headline thriller series 'Nightsleeper' Hollywood
    Kanye West BBC documentary rights sold to many broadcasters Ye

    United Kingdom

    CBI books Rolls Royce India, others over Hawk aircraft procurement Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    2nd coronation of King Charles, Camilla despite UK's cost-of-living crisis  King Charles III
    Microsoft appeals UK watchdog's decision to block Activision acquisition Microsoft
    Aditi Rao Hydari to star in Indo-British film 'Lioness' Cannes Film Festival

    S Jaishankar

    Body of Indian national killed in Sudan unrest reaches home Kerala
    EU warns India for allegedly reselling Russian oil, Jaishankar responds India
    Imran Khan unhappy with Bilawal Bhutto's India trip: Here's why  Imran Khan (Pakistan PM)
    Jaishankar calls Pakistan foreign minister 'terrorism spokesperson,' Bilawal responds  Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

    Income Tax Department of India

    Manipur: I-T official dragged out of house, beaten to death Manipur
    Tamil Nadu: I-T raids at alleged Stalin-linked real estate firm Tamil Nadu
    MHA suspends think-tank CPR's FCRA license amid I-T probe  Central Government
    Report fearlessly: BBC director-general to India staff after tax 'survey' BBC

    Love India News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    India Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023