During the unveiling of the US State Department’s 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, Blinken mentioned that Christian organisations in India had received reports of attacks by crowds who were reportedly working with the authorities, because they were accused of engaging in “conversion activities.”
According to the research, rules that forbid forced religious conversion led to the arrest of both Christians and Muslims. The exceptionally harsh criticism was delivered just a few weeks after the NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took office for a third term in a row.It will undoubtedly have an impact on US-India relations, which have recently advanced quickly in both the strategic and defence spheres.
Source: X.com
In his remarks two years ago at the publishing of the 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, Blinken again made reference to India, expressing alarm over the country’s increasing number of attacks on individuals and houses of worship.
This time, though, his remarks could be interpreted in light of the US presidential elections, which are set for November. Given that Christians make up two-thirds of the population in the United States, drawing attention to purported crimes committed against them in nations like India may be interpreted as an attempt to win over voters.Blinken has limited his discussion of minorities in the US to pointing out that there has been a sharp increase in the number of reports of hate crimes and other occurrences aimed at Muslims and Jews.
Source: The Indian Express
It appears that America is more concerned with “advancing religious freedom across the globe” than with organising its own affairs. On the minority front, the Indian government must change its course, but it will not be amused by the US acting as Big Brother. Washington will suffer if it offends a close partner, particularly since the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun case is already putting the stability and maturity of the two countries’ relationship to the test.
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