WASHINGTON: The United States (US) will raise certain issues, including Russian oil and arms purchases, with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his stay in Washington, a US official said on Tuesday.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby admitted at a briefing on June 20 that New Delhi would be pressed about Russian oil and arms purchases during his trip. He added that they would also discuss the Ukraine war during the talks. The spokesperson expressed hope that New Delhi would continue to purchase within the price cap to limit Russia’s war funds.
US will raise issue of Russian oil with Modi
Modi posted a link to an interview with The Wall Street Journal and replied to the criticism of New Delhi’s position on the Ukraine conflict. Kirby said that the US and India relationship will jointly address some of the major global challenges and Beijing’s growing power in the Indo-Pacific.
However, US President Joe Biden was reminded by US lawmakers as Modi arrived to raise human rights serious violations and issues. As many as 75 Democratic legislators of Congress, 18 senators, and 57 members of the House of Representatives said in a letter to President Biden in this regard.
Modi’s Dark History
The Biden administration seeks to deepen cooperation with India, recognizing it as a strategic partner in countering China’s influence. Nevertheless, human rights advocates express apprehension that geopolitical considerations may overshadow the need to address human rights concerns in India. Multiple rights groups in the United States plan to hold protest demonstrations during Modi’s visit.
In March, the State Department’s annual report on human rights practices highlighted “significant human rights issues” and abuses in India. The upcoming meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi presents an opportunity for the United States to address these concerns and emphasize the importance of upholding human rights principles.
The top Judiciary in India has become an apparatus for attacking regime critics and permitting the murderers of Muslims to walk free. According to a leading US media outlet, it is a routine in Modi-led India that Hindu extremist political leaders, including members of the BJP, calling on their party workers to kill Muslims. HR activists said that they should not stay silent on issues of human rights.
The US based critics said that by welcoming Prime Minister Modi to Washington and remaining silent on his dark record of hate and involvement in violence, US leaders are, in effect, giving a culture of hate a free permit. They asked US leaders to use this opportunity to reject Modi’s violent vision. PM Modi was banned from entering Washington for eight years because of his role in an anti-Muslim massacre in 2002.
Modi will deliver a speech before the US Congress during his stay in the United States. Despite the Indian government’s often attacks on critical media houses in the South Asian country, the State Department’s Donald Lu has appreciated Modi’s government.
Therefore, many people and human rights activists said that Washington is turning a blind eye to extremist Modi’s dark history and helping to legitimize the ideology of those extremists, who publicly advocate the killing and expulsion of Indian minority groups, especially Muslims.
