Key Takeaways:
- Indian PM Narendra Modi concluded a historic visit to the United States
- Former US President Barack Obama has called on the protection of religious minorities in India
- Several leaders from Modi’s party, the BJP, have slammed Obama
YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Bilateral ties between India and the US are at their peak in recent years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official multi-day visit to the United States last week has put these ties under the spotlight. However, comments by former US President Barrack Obama on the conditions of religious minorities in India, and angry attacks by leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) threaten to hurt India-US relations.
During Narendra Modi’s three-day trip, significant events took place, including a formal reception at the White House, an extravagant state dinner, and the signing of multiple important agreements. Additionally, the Indian PM delivered a speech to a combined gathering of the US Congress.
However, his visit was met with hostility and jibes from American journalists, human rights groups, and politicians. Several people brought up the alleged mistreatment of minority Muslims in the country and expressed dissatisfaction at the high-level reception Modi received from Washington.
While most of the comments were ignored by the Indian state machinery, it was Barack Obama that created most of the ripples.
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Barack Obama’s remarks on the condition of Indian Muslims
In an interview with CNN last week, the former USP President took it upon himself to comment on India’s domestic politics. He opined that it was important to highlight the “protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India” during President Joe Biden’s meeting with Modi.
“If you fail to safeguard the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a real possibility that India could face fragmentation in the future,”
Obama stated.
Responding to Obama’s remarks, several cabinet ministers from the BJP raised questions regarding the treatment of Muslims during Obama’s presidency.
India’s outspoken Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, addressing reporters, chose to put Barack Obama’s report card in front of him. She pointed out that the former White House occupant did not have much love for Muslims while as President.
“Under his leadership, six countries with Muslim-majority populations experienced bombings. Has he forgotten the bombings in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iraq?”
she asked.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also echoed these sentiments, calling on Obama should reflect on the number of Muslim countries that had faced attacks during his tenure.
“Obama ji should not forget that India is the only country which considers all the people living in the world as family members… He should also think about himself as to how many Muslim countries he has attacked,”
he said.
BJP Muslim leader supports Narendra Modi
BJP’s Muslim leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also slammed the former US President. Urging him to understand India’s “rights and culture” and to refrain from “doing bad propaganda”, Naqvi came in strong support for his party leader Modi.
“If you try to do bad propaganda against India on the basis of the India-bashing brigade, no one will believe it. Today, all the sections of the society are developing in the country, including the minorities,”
Naqvi told ANI News.
Adding to the criticism, Himanta Biswa Sarma, a BJP politician and the Chief Minister of the state of Assam, responded to a sarcastic tweet from an Indian journalist about whether state police would arrest the former president over his comments. The Northeastern state of Assam has a significant Muslim population.
Sarma replied harshly, misspelling Obama’s middle name, which is commonly associated with Muslims.
“There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington,”
he wrote.
The journalist was quick to allege that the Assam CM is equating the former US President with terrorists. Sarma has gained immense popularity in the country for cracking down on Islamic Madrasas (seminaries) in his state.
Before Obama’s comments, US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar had also drawn criticism for announcing that she would skip Narendra Modi’s speech at the Congress. She slammed Modi for his alleged ill-treatment of minorities.
Several Twitter pointed out her anti-Modi bias. A former refugee from Somalia, she became one of the first Muslim women to get elected to the US Congress.
She has formerly met with leaders of Pakistan, Inda’s foe, and long-time authoritarian Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Her concern for human rights, as many pointed out, is not sincere.
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What happens to India-US relations?
The exchange between Obama and Indian officials highlights the ongoing tensions that still exist between the US and India.
Joe Biden served as the Vice President under Barrack Obama’s presidency. He still commands a significant amount of influence in the Democratic party.
The attacks coming from BJP leaders may threaten the warm ties that Modi’s visit hoped to cement between the two democracies. On the flip side, as the former President, Obama should have known better.
Commenting on the internal matters of a sovereign country and throwing accusations was bound to cause a backlash.
The comments on Muslim minorities under Modi’s rule bring up bad memories. Before assuming the role of prime minister, Narendra Modi faced a ban from entering the United States. The decision came after accusations emerged that he not only failed to prevent the 2002 riots in the state of Gujarat, where he served as the Chief Minister but was also complicit in the riots that killed around 1000 people.
While the Supreme Court of India has cleared him of all charges, his opponents continue to pin the blame on him. Comments about Muslims in India from the US come with historical baggage.
Hence, such a cross-fire of words between the BJP Leaders and the White House could have bad implications. The Biden Administration should be careful, and so should the BJP.
