Jaishankar, US Secretary of Defense, raises human rights concerns with other ministers

US Defense Minister General (Retd) Lloyd James Austin III addressed the issue of human rights in India during his meetings with cabinet ministers here on Saturday. An informed source said that the issue also came up during his talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, which covered a wide range of topics such as Afghanistan and West Asian tensions.

Also read: India, US pledge to deepen strategic cooperation

“The Defense Secretary said as two of the largest democracies in the world, human rights and values ​​are important to us and we will move forward with these values,” the source said.

Earlier, addressing a select group of American and Indian media outlets, Mr. Austin said that he raised the human rights violations of Muslims in Assam with the Indian side. “I spoke with other cabinet members on this issue,” NDTV was quoted as saying by NDTV. He, however, clarified that he did not have the opportunity to speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi “on reports of human rights violations targeted to minority communities”.

He said, ‘We have to remember that India is our partner, a partner whose partnership we value. And I think that partners need to be able to have those kinds of discussions. And of course we feel comfortable doing so. And you can make those discussions in a very meaningful way and make progress.

To a question from the news channel as to whether the issue of erosion of democracy was in his discussions, Mr. Austin said, “You have heard President Biden say that human rights and the rule of law are important to America, we always believe in our values.” Let’s go ahead. It is very important for us as a democracy. ”

Human rights and the right to peaceful protest have in recent months characterized India’s relations with many countries, including the US, because of protests over protests by farmers. Mr. Austin was asked to collect reports of violations by Senator Robert Menendez, head of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who insisted that the Indo-US partnership in the 21st century be based on “adherence to democratic values” needed. India, he said, “is running away from those values”.

Indo-Pacific also came during the meeting with Shri Jaishankar. The American side briefed the Indian team about Mr. Austin’s visits to Japan and South Korea where they discussed the region before reaching India. The peace process in Afghanistan featured in the meeting, among other regional issues.

“The assessment was exchanged with the peace process and the ground situation, as well as the concerns and interests of regional powers and neighbors. The foreign minister praised the Biden administration’s involvement with India on this issue, ”the source said.