India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said it has taken note of former United States (US) president Donald Trump's indictment.

"We have noted the developments that happened earlier this week," said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

"This is a matter for the US institutions and systems to address," he added.

In a notable, rapid segue, Bagchi made "a larger comment," referring to a recent example in Germany of foreign governments commenting on developments in India.

Germany had reacted towards the end of March to Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as a member of Parliament (MP) after his conviction in a defamation case.

"We have taken note of the verdict of first instance against the Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate. To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict," Germany's foreign ministry spokesperson had said during a press briefing

"It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis," she added.

The spokesperson said Germany expects that "standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles" will apply in the case.

On Thursday (6 April), Bagchi responded: "I am not sure what they seek to achieve by such comments. Certainly, India is not waiting for their views or validation, nor do such comments matter for the functioning of the Indian systems and institutions."

Germany's reaction to the Rahul Gandhi matter took off on social media especially after Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh said "Thank you Germany" in response to a tweet about the "Rahul Gandhi case" by DW's chief international editor, Richard Walker.

Singh had tweeted: "Thank you Germany Foreign Affairs Ministry and Richard Walker @rbsw for taking note of how the Democracy is being compromised in India through persecution of @RahulGandhi."