MELBOURNE, 4 June 2022: The United States & India don’t see eye to eye on the issue of religious freedom and alleged attacks on religious minorities in India. The US State Department’s International report on religious freedom, released by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, alleges attacks on the minority communities, including killings, assaults, and intimidation, took place in India throughout 2021.
Reacting sharply, Ministry External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the observation of India in the report is based on “motivated inputs and biased views”.
“We have noted the release of the U.S. State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, and ill-informed comments by senior U.S. officials,” Bagchi said.
“It is unfortunate that vote bank politics is being practised in international relations. We would urge that assessments based on motivated inputs and biased views be avoided,” he added.
INDIA 2021 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT/INDIA
Releasing the report, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also mentioned other countries including Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, China, and Afghanistan, where religious freedom issues prevail.
Following is the note Tweeted by Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, India:
(The report will be updated as and when necessary)
