Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (April 13) responded to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s “rise in human rights abuses” in India remarks.
During the joint presser after the 2+2 dialogue of top US and Indian ministers on Monday, Blinken had said the United States is monitoring some recent “concerning developments” in India.
He especially called out the so-called rise in “human rights abuses” and alleged that such incidents are done by some government, police and prison officials. But didn’t give any evidence.
At that time, Jaishankar didn’t respond but on Wednesday, during a press brief, he said that India also takes a view on other people’s human rights situation, including that of the United States. He added that India constantly raises matters concerning the Indian community.
Jaishankar said, “Look, people are entitled to have views about us. But we are also equally entitled to have views about their views and about the interests, and the lobbies and the vote banks which drive that. So, whenever there is a discussion, I can tell you that we will not be reticent about speaking out.”
“I would tell you that we also take our views on other people’s human rights situation, including that of the United States. So, we take up a human rights issues when they arise in this country, especially when they pertain to our community. And in fact, we had a case yesterday…that’s really where we stand on that,” he added.
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