US senator criticises New Delhi on corruption, human rights and religious freedom

In what could raise eyebrows in the Indian foreign policy establishment in South Block, a visiting US Senator has been come down heavily upon India's track record on corruption, human rights and religious freedom. This comes ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington DC for a bilateral visit next week, where he will also address the joint session of the US Congress on June 8.

CRITICISES EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS

Speaking in Delhi on Role of Good Governance in International Relations, Benjamin Louis "Ben" Cardin, a democratic Senator from Maryland, criticised India for extra judicial killings. He emphasised that extra judicial killings must not be allowed to continue in the country.

SLAMS ANTI-CONVERSION LAWS

Citing the 2015 United States minorities watchdog report on religious freedom, Cardin said that anti-conversion laws in India are being used to infringe upon people's right to religious freedom. Further adding to India's criticism he said that women in India are very vulnerable and how a nation treats its women, is the barometer of its progress. And human trafficking is a major challenge with India being a Tier 2 country in the global index, he said .

TO RAISE ISSUES WITH PM

Ben Cardin intends to raise these social and human rights issues with Narendra Modi when he hosts a dinner for the visiting Prime Minister on Capitol Hill. Responding to an India Today question the Senator said, "I will include human rights dimension in my conversation."

Cardin, ranking member of the US Foreign Relations Committee responsible for fixing accountability in America's global policy, also flagged corruption as a challenge that still haunts India despite the Modi administrations' assurances. Saying that he is impressed with Modi on this front Ben Cardin added, "The Modi administration has been speaking out against corruption. Their language says they have zero tolerance to corruption. But they need to act."

Asked if his criticism of India just ahead of the crucial official visit could cast a shadow, Ben Cardin replied that democratic countries have strong responsibilities. And embracing these issues will help Prime Minister Modi in dealing with them in the political environment.

In the wake of the Gujarat riots of 2002, Narendra Modi was treated as a pariah till he rode to power with a decisive victory in the general elections of 2014. Now, as he prepares to address the joint US Congress, only the fifth Indian PM to be accorded this honour, Ben Cardin says Modi was not invited because of his name, but 'because of the country he represents.' And, that the Indo-US relationship will continue even after change of administration on both sides.

The American Senator was hopeful of some major announcements on military and strategic ties and discussions on terrorism and economic cooperation during the visit.

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