"India is a very strong and vibrant democracy, and we have confidence in India's ability to manage its internal situation in a manner that is consistent with the democratic values of the state," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters.
Nuland was responding to a question about her remarks made last week on the peaceful protest movement against corruption by social activist Anna Hazare.
"As you know, we support the right of peaceful, non-violent protest around the world. That said, India is a democracy, and we count on India to exercise appropriate democratic restraint in the way it deals with peaceful protest," she had said in response to a question last week.
Published 16 August 2011, 03:44 IST