Amidst growing international scrutiny, the Russian Foreign Ministry has asserted that the United States is actively seeking to disrupt Bharat’s electoral process during the 2024 general elections. The allegations emerged following a critical report by a US federal commission, which accused New Delhi of violating religious freedoms.
As reported by RT news, a Russian State-owned media outlet, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned the US’ lack of comprehension regarding Bharat’s national ethos and historical context. Zakharova denounced the “unfounded accusations” made by Washington concerning religious freedoms in Bharat, labelling them as disrespectful to Bharat as a sovereign nation.
https://x.com/RT_India_news/status/1788203969954840747
Zakharova further contended that the motive behind the US’ accusations is to destabilise Bharat’s internal political landscape and complicate the electoral process. She asserted such actions constitute blatant interference in Bharat’s internal affairs, a sentiment echoed by Russian authorities.
These assertions follow the release of the latest annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom or USCIRF, which heavily criticised Bharat for alleged religious freedom violations. The commission renewed its recommendation to the US Department of State to designate Bharat as a “Country of Particular Concern”.
The USCIRF report specifically highlighted concerns regarding the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s implementation of nationalist policies deemed discriminatory. It also flagged the enforcement of various laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, Citizenship (Amendment) Act, as well as anti-conversion and cow-slaughter laws. According to the report, the enforcement of these laws has led to the arbitrary detention, surveillance, and targeting of religious minorities and their advocates.
“Both news media and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) reporting on religious minorities were subjected to strict monitoring under FCRA regulations,” the report has said.
The External Affairs Ministry or EAM has slammed the US commission for attempting to “interfere” in Bharat’s electoral exercise and continuing to indulge in “propaganda” against the country.
EAM spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that the USCIRF is known to be a “biased” entity with a political agenda. “The US Commission on International Religious Freedom is known as a biased organisation with a political agenda. They continue to publish their propaganda on Bharat masquerading as part of an annual report”.
“We really have no expectation that the USCIRF will even seek to understand Bharat’s diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos,” said Jaiswal. “Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise of the world will never succeed,” he added.
Moscow also trashed allegations of the involvement of an Indian official in a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. “According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain GS Pannun. Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable,” Zakharova said at the briefing.
The comments came in connection with a report in The Washington Post that cited unnamed sources and named a Research and Analysis Wing or RAW officer in connection with the alleged plot to kill Pannun. The report stated Bharat is trying to do the same as Russia and Saudi Arabia against its enemy.
“The Washington Post, it seems to me, should use the term ‘repressive regime’ and everything you quoted in relation to Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both in domestic and international affairs,” said Zakharova.
The External Affairs Ministry has rejected The Washington Post report, describing it as “unwarranted and unsubstantiated” imputation on a “serious matter” that is under investigation. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the ministry, termed the report “speculative and irresponsible”.
