META Meta Platforms Inc

Facebook Inc. Wednesday disavowed comments by company director and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen that appeared to support the colonization of India—sentiments which also received a ringing denunciation from the company's chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg.

Mr. Andreessen also apologized for the remarks, made late Tuesday on Twitter, after Indian regulators banned a Facebook program offering free access to a limited set of Internet sites.

"We strongly reject the sentiments expressed by Marc Andreessen last night regarding India," the company said.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Mr. Zuckerberg added that Mr. Andreessen's comments were "deeply upsetting, and they do not represent the way Facebook or I think at all." Mr. Zuckerberg said that an early trip to India helped solidify his vision for Facebook and he was inspired by the country's progress. "As our community in India has grown, I've gained a deeper appreciation for the need to understand India's history and culture," Mr. Zuckerberg said, adding: " I look forward to strengthening my connection to the country."

In his initial Twitter messages, Mr. Andreessen said it was "morally wrong" to deny poor people in India the Internet for ideological reasons. His comments garnered support in social media, including from other venture capitalists, but critics in India and elsewhere pushed back. One said it appeared Mr. Andreessen was justifying "Internet colonialism."

Mr. Andreessen replied, "Anti-colonialism has been economically catastrophic for the Indian people for decades. Why stop now?"

That tweet has since been deleted, but images of the message circulated widely online Wednesday.

In his apology, Mr. Andreessen withdrew his comments, saying his statements about Indian politics and economics were "ill-informed and ill-advised." He added: "To be clear, I am 100% opposed to colonialism, and 100% in favor of independence and freedom, in any country, including India."

Britain ruled India for nearly 100 years, before the country gained independence in 1947.

Monday, Indian regulators said Facebook's Free Basics program wasn't in the best interest of consumers or the Internet's growth in the world's second-most-populous country because it favored certain sites over others. Free Basics provided free access to more than 100 websites and apps, including Facebook, in India.

Facebook said the service, offered through Reliance Communications Ltd., was the most practical and far-reaching way to reach billions who now have no access. Mr. Zuckerberg called the service "a bridge to the full Internet and digital quality."

Critics say other models should be considered, including sponsoring a certain amount of data every month. That way, users can choose what apps and services they use.

Write to Deepa Seetharaman at Deepa.Seetharaman@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 10, 2016 18:05 ET (23:05 GMT)

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