WASHINGTON: Already caught in the whirlwind of internal strife, economic crises and border disputes with China & Nepal, India was dealt with a blow at the diplomatic front when the US Democratic Presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden denounced New Delhi’s legislation with regard to minorities and unlimited restrictions in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) is under a military siege since August 5, 2019 when New Delhi revoked its autonomous status and now the valley has been turned into an open-air prison.
In a policy paper “Joe Biden’s agenda for Muslim-American Communities” posted on his campaign website, the US Democratic Presidential nominee asked the Indian government to take all necessary steps to restore rights for all the people of Kashmir.
“Restrictions on dissent, such as preventing peaceful protests or shutting or slowing down the Internet, weaken democracy,” Joe Biden remarked.
Recently, India went through a series of widespread demonstrations against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Expressing disappointment over the measures taken by the Indian government for the implementation of the NRC in Assam and the CAA, Joe Biden said “These measures are inconsistent with the country’s long tradition of secularism and with sustaining a multi-ethnic and multi-religious democracy.”
