Washington: According to a letter sent to Biden on Tuesday, dozens of Democratic colleagues urged him to bring up human rights concerns with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington this week. On Tuesday, Modi departed for Washington for a trip that is expected to mark a turning point in bilateral relations.
The US lawmakers expressed their concern over issues such as religious intolerance, press freedoms, internet access, and the vilification of civil society organisations. The letter, led by Senator Chris Van Hollen, stated that while "we do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party — that is the decision of the people of India — we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy."
The letter, which was sent to the White House on Tuesday and was first reported by Reuters, was signed by a total of 75 Democratic senators and representatives.
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And we request that you and Prime Minister Modi talk about the full range of issues vital to a prosperous, solid, and lasting relationship between our two wonderful countries during your meeting, the letter said.
Despite worries over what is perceived as a deteriorating human rights situation under his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, Modi will make his first trip to the United States with the full diplomatic status of a state visit. Modi has visited the country five times since taking office in 2014, but this will be his first trip with that status.
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Rights advocates are concerned that geopolitics will overshadow concerns about human rights as Washington seeks closer ties with the largest democracy in the world, which it sees as a counterweight to China. During Modi's visit, a number of US human rights organisations plan to protest.
India was mentioned as having "significant human rights issues" and abuses in the State Department's annual report on human rights practises, which was published in March.
On Thursday, Modi will address a joint session of the House and Senate, one of Washington's highest honours for foreign dignitaries.
The lawmakers wrote in the letter, "A number of independent, credible reports reflect troubling signs of shrinking political space, rising religious intolerance, targeting of journalists and civil society organisations, and tightening restrictions on press freedoms and Internet access in India."
They declared that they stood with Biden in extending a warm welcome to Modi in the US and wished for a "close and warm relationship" between the people of the two nations, adding that friendship should be based on shared principles and that "friends can and should discuss their differences in an honest and forthright way."
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For this reason, in addition to the many areas where India and the US have mutual interests, we respectfully ask that you bring up any concerns you may have with Prime Minister Modi directly, the letter said. Before Modi arrived in Washington, White House spokesman for national security John Kirby spoke with reporters and declined to comment on whether Biden would bring up the matter, but noted that it is "commonplace" for Biden to bring up concerns about human rights.