US monitoring rise in human rights abuses in India: Blinken

WASHINGTON: The US is monitoring some recent “concerning developments” in India including a rise in human rights abuses by some government officials, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said, insisting that America regularly engages with its Indian partners on the shared democratic values.Blinken made these remarks at a joint news conference with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and their Indian counterparts - External affairs minister S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh - after the conclusion of the 2+2 Ministerial on Monday here.

“We are monitoring some recent concerning developments in India, including a rise in human rights abuses by some government, police, and prison officials,” Blinken said in his opening remarks.

However, he did not provide any other details. “We share a commitment to our democratic values, such as protecting human rights. We regularly engage with our Indian partners on these shared values,” he said.

India has previously rejected criticism by foreign governments and human rights groups on allegations that civil liberties have eroded in the country.

The Indian government has asserted that India has well-established democratic practices and robust institutions to safeguard the rights of all.

The government has emphasised that the Indian Constitution provides for adequate safeguards under various statutes for ensuring the protection of human rights.

INDIAN GOVT HAS SAID THAT IT HAS WELL ESTABLISHED DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES AND INSTITUTIONS TO SAFEGUARD THE RIGHTS OF ALL