The Biden administration is strongly committed to promoting and protecting universal respect for the right to freedom of religion.
A senior US official has stated that the administration has engaged with many countries, including India, on the importance of equal treatment for members of all religious communities.
“We have engaged many countries, including India, on the importance of equal treatment for members of all religious communities,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference on Monday.
Miller was responding to a question about a New York Times story titled "Strangers in Their Own Land: Being Muslim in Modi’s India". The story alleges that the world’s largest Muslim community in India is raising their families and children with fear and uncertainty.
“Have you engaged with the Indian officials in these issues?” Miller was asked.
“I won’t speak to private diplomatic conversations, but we are deeply committed to promoting and protecting universal respect for the right to freedom of religion or belief all around the world,” Miller said.
The article published over the weekend alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "chipped away at the secular framework and robust democracy" since taking office.
India has previously dismissed such allegations as based on "misinformation and flawed understanding" of the country.
Prime Minister Modi has also stated that he has never spoken against minorities, and the BJP has “never” acted against them. However, he has made it clear that he is not willing to accept anyone as "special citizens."
Modi's election speeches have been repeatedly found to be divisive along communal lines during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
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