US State Department Highlights Ongoing Consultations with India on Human Rights

In response to the recent release of the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, a senior official from the US State Department emphasized the consistent high-level consultations between the United States and India on democracy and human rights issues. Robert S Gilchrist, representing the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, stressed the importance of upholding human rights obligations and commitments.

The report flagged several significant human rights concerns in India, including the Manipur violence, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and denial of fair trial. It also addressed the Income Tax raids on BBC offices following the release of a documentary alleging Prime Minister Modi’s involvement in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Furthermore, the report highlighted the challenges faced by human rights groups, including restrictions on their operations and disinformation campaigns targeting religious minorities and political opposition.

In light of these issues, both domestic and international, the US urges India to maintain an open dialogue with civil society organizations and address human rights concerns effectively.

The report’s findings underscore the ongoing scrutiny of India’s human rights situation by international bodies and the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights, especially in the context of upcoming elections.