Unfortunate that US lawmakers focused on few incidents: India

India today termed as "unfortunate" the letter written by some US Congressmen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on religious freedom in the country, saying they have chosen to "focus on just a few incidents".
External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup also asserted that aberrations, if any, were dealt with by the internal processes that include independent judiciary.
"It is unfortunate that these Members of Congress while applauding India as a pluralistic society with a longstanding commitment to inclusion and tolerance have chosen to focus on just a few incidents.
"India is proud of its status as the world's largest democracy. The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens, including minority communities. Aberrations, if any, are dealt with by our internal processes which include our independent judiciary, autonomous National Human Rights Commission, vigilant media, and vibrant civil society," he said.

Expressing serious concern over violence against religious minorities in India, 34 top American lawmakers have asked Modi to take immediate steps to protect their fundamental rights and bring the perpetrators to justice.
"We urge your government to take immediate steps to ensure that the fundamental rights of religious minorities are protected and that the perpetrators of violence are held to account," the lawmakers, including eight Senators, said in a letter to the Prime Minister.

"Of particular concern is the treatment of India's Christian, Muslim and Sikh communities," said the letter dated February 25, which was released to the press by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

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"In the promising field of nuclear energy cooperation, we continue to make steady progress," Singh said.
The US, he said, has emerged as India's largest trading partner in goods and services, with a total trade volume of USD 120 billion - rising five-fold in 15 years, and the leaders have set their target on increasing the trade volume by five times in the years ahead.
"Going forward, it is certain that India and the US will look at each other with greater degree of understanding than in the past. Public opinion in each country about the other, particularly among the youth, has shifted clearly in a favourable direction. However, we need to remain alive to the challenges of managing an expanding relationship without sufficient past history of deep engagement," Singh said.