The United States stated on Tuesday that it anticipates close relations with India to continue, as well as talks on human rights issues, following elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared certain to hold onto office, albeit with an unexpectedly small majority.
Though voters defied expectations of yet another landslide, Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party lost its outright majority for the first time in ten years. Despite this, Modi appeared likely to maintain his position at the head of a ruling coalition.
“I anticipate the United States and India will maintain their close partnership. A State Department spokesman told reporters, “There is a great partnership – both at the government level and at the people-to-people level – and I fully expect that to continue.”
The two nations announced a number of agreements on semiconductors, vital minerals, technology, defense, and space cooperation during Modi’s visit to the United States last year.
The State Department added that it will keep bringing up issues related to human rights. Political observers claim that although Washington has occasionally voiced concern, it has refrained from doing so in public because it believes India will serve as a check on China’s aggressive expansion.
The State Department spokesman stated that in India, they publicly voice concerns about human rights when it’s necessary, and it is communited directly to Indian government.
Under Modi, the government insists it acts in the interest of all Indians and rejects any discrimination against minorities and dissidents.
Human rights activists dispute this. They cite a number of issues, including an increase in hate speech directed towards Muslims, the revocation of Kashmir’s special status for its Muslim population, a citizenship law that the United Nations describes as “fundamentally discriminatory,” the demolition of Muslim-owned properties to make way for illegal construction, and India’s low ranking in the World Press Freedom Index.
