US Religious Freedom Panel Recommends Sanctions Against India’s R&AW Due to Assassination Allegations

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom proposed sanctions against India’s R&AW over alleged assassination attempts on Sikh separatists. The commission has also urged the U.S. to label India as a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom violations. Additionally, it criticized the treatment of religious minorities under the Modi government, amidst tensions between the U.S. and India focused on Sikh separatists.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended the imposition of targeted sanctions on India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), due to its alleged involvement in assassination plots against Sikh separatists. Moreover, the commission proposed that the U.S. government designate India as a “country of particular concern” for its violations of religious freedom. This recommendation was made in the commission’s annual report released recently.

In addition to India, the commission has also highlighted concerns regarding Vietnam, suggesting that it, too, be classified as a “country of particular concern” for its increasing regulation and control over religious affairs, indicative of a broader pattern amid close U.S.-Vietnam relations rooted in shared concerns about China.

Analysts indicate that Washington has historically viewed India as a crucial counterbalance to China’s expanding influence, often disregarding human rights issues in the process. Given the current political climate, it is believed that the Trump administration is unlikely to act upon the recommendations related to R&AW, as such suggestions are not legally binding.

Relations between the U.S. and India have experienced strains, particularly regarding allegations that India has targeted Sikh separatists based in the U.S. and Canada. Tensions escalated following the indictment of former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav for an attempted assassination plot against pro-Khalistan advocate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who India considers a security threat.

According to the commission’s report, the conditions for religious freedom in India have significantly deteriorated, marked by escalating attacks and discrimination against religious minorities. The report specifically criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party for spreading hateful rhetoric against Muslims and other minorities during the previous electoral campaign, asserting that such narratives have contributed to the rising violence and discrimination

While reports from the U.S. State Department regarding human rights and religious freedoms have highlighted issues faced by minorities in India, the Indian government has rejected these claims as “deeply biased”. Officials maintain that governmental initiatives, such as electrification drives and subsidies, benefit all communities equally, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity.

In summary, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has put forth serious recommendations against India’s R&AW for its alleged misconduct regarding Sikh separatists, calling for India to be designated as a “country of particular concern”. Additionally, considerations towards Vietnam highlight a broader concern of religious freedoms in countries aligned with U.S. interests. The growing tensions between the U.S. and India indicate complex geopolitical implications amid ongoing accusations of human rights violations.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com