Ambassador-to-US Sarna slams American media for 'negative' portrayal of India
Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna, has slammed the American media for their "negative portrayal" of India, alleging that there is a tendency among foreign journalists based in India to pick up the "exception" stories and ignore the development news. Sarna's remarks came during his address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a top American think tank.
It is more a case of pity than worry
"Now, it is more a case of pity than worry. India has moved on, you haven't," Sarna said when asked about the portrayal of India in the mainstream American media. He added the American media picks up the "exception" stories while ignoring the development news.
Bothers me, but I don't lose sleep over it: Sarna
"There is a tendency to look at the social exception there is a dowry case, there is a caste issue so pick it up and splash it. If there is a start-up story for instance...(they will say) that happens everywhere," Sarna said. "Frankly it bothers me, but I do not lose sleep over it anymore I used to (worry)," the top Indian diplomat added.
American media is doing injustice to its own public
By such "negative" portrayal of India, Sarna said, the American media was doing "injustice" to its public. "These (negative) pieces just sound like oddities. They show the narrow mindset of the journalists, of the editor and marginalize them rather than marginalize us anymore," the Indian Ambassador said. "If they (the American media) want to survive and remain relevant, they should move on," Sarna added.
Important for India and US to get correct picture
"It is extremely important for us (India), but I think it's important for the United States as well to get a correct picture of, even if I was not in India and I would say of a very important country in the world," Sarna said. "Unfortunately, can't tell you, I can guess at the reasons," the top Indian diplomat added.
Tried correcting it, but failed miserably: Sarna
Referring to his previous four-year stint at the Indian Embassy in Washington when he was its spokesperson, Sarna said that negative coverage about India was what he tried "correcting then, but failed miserably". Sarna was participating in a panel discussion during the opening session of the "US & India: From Estranged Democracies to Natural Allies" organized by the top American think-tank.
