Washington, Jun 20 – A group of American lawmakers, including Indian-American lawmaker Pramila Jayapal, has written a letter to US President Joe Biden urging him to raise areas of concern directly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their upcoming meeting. The letter, signed by 75 lawmakers, emphasized the importance of discussing differences in an honest and forthright manner while supporting the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.
Areas of Concern: Human Rights and Press Freedom
The lawmakers noted tenets of American foreign policy’s core focused on press & religious freedom human rights & pluralism . They called for the application of these values equally to both friends and foes, emphasizing the need for credible advancement of these principles on the world stage. The letter noted various independent reports on the deterioration of religious intolerance, political dissent & targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access in India.
USCIRF Urges Biden to Address Religious Freedom
US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also asked President Biden to discuss issues of religious human rights during Prime Minister Modi’s state visit. USCIRF Commissioner David Curry emphasized the unique opportunity for the Biden administration to incorporate religious freedom concerns into the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Wide Support for Discussion of Concerns
The letter, led by Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Pramila Jayapal, received support from 75 Democratic members of Congress, including 18 senators and 57 members of the House of Representatives. Notable signatories included Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The lawmakers expressed their support for the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy and called for a comprehensive discussion of issues important to a “successful, strong, and long-term relationship between the United States and India.”
Response and Protests
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib announced her boycott of Prime Minister Modi’s joint address to Congress, citing concerns over human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, and religious minority targeting. Several rights groups have planned protests during Modi’s visit, while Modi supporters are also expected to greet him during his travels.
Human Rights Watch Calls for Meaningful Discussions
Human Rights Watch called on upcoming meetings between Prime Minister Modi, President Biden, and congressional leaders to include meaningful discussions of human rights issues. The organization stressed the importance of addressing human rights concerns in both India and the United States and emphasized the need for joint acknowledgement and action to address systemic challenges such as racism, xenophobia, and economic inequality.
Amnesty International Urges Action on Human Rights
Amnesty International urged the United States and Indian governments to address grave human rights issues in both countries during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. The organization emphasized the deterioration of human rights protections in India, including violence against religious minorities and shrinking civil society space. Amnesty International also highlighted the backsliding on reproductive rights and anti-LGBTQI+ attacks in the United States, calling for meaningful discussions and accountability between the two leaders.
Past Indian Response
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, expressed concerns about human rights in the United States, referencing recent attacks on Indians in America and Indian-origin Americans. In response to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s remarks about human rights abuses in India, Jaishankar emphasized that India also evaluates the human rights situation in other countries, including the US. Although human rights were not discussed in the recent India-US 2+2 ministerial meeting focused on political-military affairs, Jaishankar acknowledged that it had been a subject of discussion in the past.
Looking Ahead
As Prime Minister Modi embarks on his state visit to the United States, the calls from US lawmakers, human rights organizations, and activists highlight the importance of discussing human rights concerns and promoting shared values between the two countries. The meetings between Modi and Biden, as well as their engagements with congressional leaders, present an opportunity to address these concerns and reaffirm the commitment to fundamental rights and liberties.
