Zohran Mamdani’s note to Umar Khalid draws criticism from MEA

India on Friday (January 9, 2026) appeared to disapprove of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani writing a note to jailed activist Umar Khalid, saying public representatives should respect the independence of the judiciary in other democracies.

Mr. Mamdani, who is of Indian-origin, handed over a handwritten note to Mr. Khalid when the activist’s parents met him in the U.S. last month.

In the note, Mr. Mamdani conveyed his solidarity with Mr. Khalid.

Note to Umar Khalid: BJP accuses New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani of interfering in India’s internal affairs

“We expect public representatives to be respectful of the independence of the judiciary in other democracies,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.