India, Jan. 9 -- India on Friday responded to New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani writing a note to jailed activist Umar Khalid, saying public representatives should respect the independence of the judiciary in other democracies.

Mamdani, who is of Indian origin, had handed over a handwritten note expressing solidarity with Khalid when he met the activist's parents in the US in December.

The note said Mamdani often thought of Khalid's words on bitterness and the "importance of not letting it consume oneself".

When external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked about the matter at a weekly media briefing, he replied: "We expect public representatives to be respectful of the independence of the judiciary in other democra...