June 22, 2023
Cited article by Brian Osgood, Al Jazeera
HRRC urges the Biden administration to address India's human rights record during Prime Minister Modi's visit. Modi's government has and continues to commit serious human rights abuses including genocide. By not discussing the issues, the U.S. ignores the ongoing atrocities and fails to act accordingly under international human rights law.
Article Summary
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss defense and technology cooperation between their countries despite grave human rights concerns in India. With consistent reports of rights violations under Modi's rule, 70 members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, along with international human rights organizations and advocates, have urged Biden to address the issues with Modi. However, the White House said, “The visit will strengthen our two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific,” adding that India will be a “critical strategic partner for the United States in the coming decades”.
Since Modi took power in 2014, the human rights situation in India has been deteriorating rapidly. The government has been accused of carrying out arbitrary arrests, restricting freedom of assembly and using excessive force on protestors, failing to protect women from violent sexual assault, carrying out a genocide against Muslims in the country, and more. The U.S. has remained silent on these issues.