June 23, 2022
2 mins read

Possibility of Biden raising human rights issues with Modi?

Repeatedly pressed by the reporter, spokesperson said that “I’m just saying the President a is a straight shooter a and speaks very frankly, and when it comes to humanitarian rights, has no problem having those direct conversations.”reports Arul Louis

President Joe Biden’s spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre has left open the possibility that as a “straight-shooter”, he may raise human rights issues concerning Muslims with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they speak during the launch of the Middle East Quad in Israel next month.

“He’s a straight-shooter, he has no problem talking to leaders about humanitarian rights, about freedoms, about the importance of democracy,” she said on Wednesday when a reporter asked at her daily briefing if Biden would take up with Modi the demolition of the houses of some Muslims linked to protests.

“This is something that the President has done in the past,” she added.

However, Jean-Pierre qualified the assertion by saying: “I can’t speak too clearly to what is on the agenda and what is their conversation going to be.”

Repeatedly pressed by the reporter, she said: “I’m just saying the President a is a straight shooter a and speaks very frankly, and when it comes to humanitarian rights, has no problem having those direct conversations.”

Protests have broken out in several places in India over statements made by former BJP officials.

As some of the protests turned into riots, houses connected to some Muslims who participated in the demonstrations have been demolished in several places in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh by officials who claimed that they were constructed illegally.

The BJP has suspended one of its spokespersons, Nupur Sharma, and expelled the party’s Delhi unit media head Naveen Jindal, who made the statements against the Prophet.

While condemning their statements last week, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price had said: “We were glad to see that the party publicly condemns those offensive comments.”

He said that the US engaged regularly at senior levels with the Indian government regarding “human rights concerns including freedom of religion or belief and we encourage India to promote respect for human rights”.

The new Quad with India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the US to be known as I2U2 for the initials of the countries is scheduled to be inaugurated during Biden’s visit to Israel in the second week of July.

Modi and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were to participate virtually, according to the White House.

There’s a cloud over Israel’s representation as Prime Minister Naftali Bennet has lost parliamentary majority and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is to take over as the interim Prime Minister pending elections to the Knesset.

ALSO READ: Indian business community confirms Modi’s UAE visit on June 28th

Previous Story

Pro-Pak lawmaker moves anti-India resolution in Congress

Next Story

Pro Khalistan group WSO fuels anti-India campaigns in Canada

Latest from -Top News

India-US Trade Deal Likely This Week

The interim trade deal would be an initial step towards a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement between Indian and the US….reports Asian Lite News India is expected to finalise an interim trade

One Year Later, Hasina’s Son Raises Red Flag

Hasina’s abrupt exit last August after violent student protests was widely seen as a blow to democracy in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million….reports Asian Lite News Sajeeb Wazed, son of former

Global South Finds Its Campus in India

The question is no longer if India can attract global talent, but whether it can build the conditions to do so at scale—with care and vision. Done right, India could emerge as

Jaishankar Gets Real on India-US Ties

The EAM underlined the structural drivers of the bilateral relationship, saying, “The trend line over the last 25 years has actually been very strong….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar

Polls Early Next Year, Yunus Tells US

The Chief Advisor invited Rubio to visit Bangladesh ahead of the general election to witness the country’s transition to democracy firsthand…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh’s interim Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has urged
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India’s Economy Defies Global Odds

According to the World Bank, the Indian economy continues to

Gadkari promises 8-hr travel between Delhi and Srinagar by 2023

After completion of the ongoing road projects, the Union Minister