MEA Responds to US Concerns on CAA Implementation: “Respect India’s Pluralistic Traditions”

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a firm response after the United States expressed concerns over the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA). MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the US statement as “misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted,” emphasizing that the CAA is an internal matter for India.

Jaiswal criticized those offering opinions without understanding India’s pluralistic traditions, asserting that the CAA aims to provide a safe haven for persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis.

Highlighting India’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion, the MEA emphasized that there is no basis for concern regarding minority rights. Jaiswal condemned the politicization of the CAA, urging stakeholders to recognize the initiative’s humanitarian objectives.

The CAA, which was notified by the Centre on March 11, fast-tracks citizenship for religious minorities fleeing persecution in neighboring countries. However, the move has sparked controversy, with opposition-led states threatening action against the act.

In conclusion, the MEA called for respect for India’s pluralistic ethos and urged international partners to appreciate the intent behind the CAA, emphasizing its role in addressing statelessness and upholding human dignity.