Years
The Commission also targeted Vietnam ruled by Communist rule, which is allegedly increasing efforts to regulate and control religious affairs. The panel recommended that Vietnam should be declared a country of special concern like India, with which Washington wants to strengthen relations due to shared concerns about China. Reuters quoting analysts said that the US has long been looking at India as a balance of China’s growing influence in Asia and other regions, which is why human rights issues have been ignored in India.
The US Commission on international religious freedom has demanded restrictions against India’s intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&P) over alleged involvement in the conspiracy to murder against Sikh separatists. According to a report by Reuters, in its annual report, the Commission has also claimed that the behavior of minorities in India is getting worse. The panel also urged the US government to declare India a “country of special concern” due to violation of religious freedom. However, India has not yet reacted to the panel recommendation.
The Commission also targeted Vietnam ruled by Communist rule, which is allegedly increasing efforts to regulate and control religious affairs. The panel recommended that Vietnam should be declared a country of special concern like India, with which Washington wants to strengthen relations due to shared concerns about China. Reuters quoting analysts said that the US has long been looking at India as a balance of China’s growing influence in Asia and other regions, which is why human rights issues have been ignored in India.
The R&AN is unlikely to be banned by the Trump administration, as the panel recommendations are not binding. Since 2023, tension between India and the US has increased, as it is alleged that India has targeted Sikh separatists in the US and Canada. A wrinkles appeared in the Indo-US relations when Washington accused former Indian intelligence officer Vikas Yadav in connection with the failure of the assassination of pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannoon. The US Commission said in the report that the situation of religious freedom in India will continue to deteriorate in 2024, as attacks and discrimination against religious minorities will continue to increase. The report also mentions that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) propagated hate rhetoric and misinformation against Muslims and other religious minorities during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign.
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