Following Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s statement that the US is monitoring cases of increased human rights abuses by the Indian government, police, and prison officials, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that human rights issues were not discussed in bilateral dialogue, hinted that “interests, lobbies, and vote banks” had driven the US position, pointed to human rights violations in the US, and claimed that India would not be reticent to speak out.
Jaishankar also brought up the situation of two Indian-American Sikh men who were assaulted in an alleged hate crime in New York on Tuesday.
India did not mention human rights in this meeting
“We did not mention human rights in this meeting,” Jaishankar said, adding that the matter has come up in the past, particularly during Blinken’s visit to India last year. The topic of this discussion was pol-mil (political-military) concerns.”
“People have the right have express opinions about us,” he added. But we have the same right to have opinions about their opinions, as well as the interests, lobbying, and vote banks that drive them. We shall not be hesitant to speak up if there is a discussion.”
According to reports, India believes Blinken’s remark – which was one of many good remarks about the relationship – was motivated by the Democratic administration’s desire to please its “domestic base.” A collection of progressive parliamentarians, Muslim organizations, and human rights organizations are among them.
According to the minister, India has opinions on the human rights situation around the world, including in the United States. “When human rights issues arise in this country, we address them, especially when they affect our community.” Yesterday, we had a case. That is where we stand on the subject.”