Trump praises India PM’s record on religion
Violence erupts over treatment of Muslims
NEW DELHI — As violence erupted in the streets Tuesday over a citizenship law that critics say discriminates against Muslims, President Donald Trump defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s record on religious tolerance as he closed out a two-day visit to India that served as a celebration of the bond between two nationalist leaders.
Mr. Trump avoided any public criticism of his host — whose political biography is also built partly on religious and cultural divisions — along with any comparison of Mr. Modi’s policies with his own treatment of Muslim immigrants.
“We did talk about religious freedom, and I will say that the prime minister was incredible in what he told me. He wants people to have religious freedom and very strongly,” Mr. Trump said during a news conference that capped the public portion of his largely ceremonial visit.
Mr. Modi, who leads the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, has insisted that the citizenship law aims to help persecuted religious minorities in three nearby countries. But critics say it is unconstitutional and discriminates against India’s Muslim minority.
At least 13 people were killed, including a police officer, in clashes in the capital city during Mr. Trump’s visit. The violence began when supporters of the citizenship law confronted opponents of the measure.
Heavy police presence in the affected areas failed to stem the violence. Large gatherings were banned, subway stations in the surrounding areas were shut, and schools were closed. Images of billowing smoke from gutted vehicles and shops were shared widely on social media. Several journalists were attacked.
The U.S. State Department has repeatedly expressed concerns about the crackdown in Muslim-majority Kashmir after Mr. Modi revoked its autonomy. The citizenship law along with India’s other actions have drawn bipartisan criticism in Congress, but Mr. Trump tread lightly.
The president said he had “asked that question” during a closed-door meeting earlier Tuesday, but he was vague about whether he took Mr. Modi to task.
“I don’t want to discuss that,” he said when asked for his opinion of the law. “I want to leave that to India, and hopefully they’re going to make the right decision for the people.”
He did not elaborate, but that may have been a reference to admonitions from the State Department and elsewhere that India should abide by its secular constitution and refrain from appearing to promote one religious or ethnic group over another.
Protests have broken out across the country since the law was passed in December. It creates a fast track to citizenship for undocumented immigrants belonging to six religions, barring Islam.
The flowering of Mr. Trump’s admiration and affection for Mr. Modi appeared to be the main achievement of the packed schedule that took Mr. Trump to Mr. Modi’s home region and the historic Taj Mahal before arriving in New Delhi.
There was also relief that it came off without major gaffes or embarrassment on either side.
Mr. Trump’s good mood was evident throughout, buoyed by a series of celebratory events in his honor and the warmth of his relationship with Mr. Modi, a fellow nationalist iconoclast.