New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), reacting to the 2021 US report on Religious Freedom, said it was unfortunate that vote bank politics was being practiced in international relations and slammed what it called "ill-informed comments" by senior US officials. The MEA also said that evaluations based on "motivated inputs" must be avoided. "We have noted the release of the US State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom and ill informed comments by senior US officials," the MEA said in a statement.
According to a statement issued by the MEA, spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “It is unfortunate that vote bank politics is being practiced in international relations. We would urge that assessments based on motivated inputs and biased views be avoided.”
Bagchi further added, “As a naturally pluralistic society, India values religious freedom and human rights. In our discussions with the US, we have regularly highlighted issues of concern there, including racially and ethnically motivated attacks, hate crimes and gun violence.”
It is to be noted that the US State Department in its annual report on international religious freedom submitted to Congress, has alleged that in 2021, there were attacks on members of minority communities in India throughout the year, including murders and intimidation. Released by Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department's Foggy Bottom headquarters, the report gives its perspective on the situation and violations of religious freedom around the world and has separate chapters on each country.
India had earlier rejected the US Religious Freedom Report saying it had no right to speak about the constitutionally protected rights of its citizens by a foreign government.