US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on CJP protests in India and issues related to human rights that this is an internal matter of India. Six American lawmakers had appealed to him to raise this issue with the Indian government.
Tezzbuzz Desk– US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified his stand on the questions raised regarding police action and human rights during the CJP protests in India. He said that this is India's internal matter and America will not interfere in it. Some Special Rapporteurs of the United Nations had also expressed concern regarding this issue.
UN experts had raised questions about the alleged use of force, detentions and sanctions during the protests. At the same time, six American lawmakers had appealed to Rubio to raise the issue of human rights in talks with the Indian government. These MPs include Pramila Jayapal, Ilhan Omar, Jim McGovern, Rashida Tlaib, Eleanor Holmes Norton and Jesus Garcia.
India objected to the comments of UN experts, saying human rights should not be used to exert political pressure or target selected countries. India said that discussion on such matters should be based on facts.
Marco Rubio reached Mumbai on October 20 on a three-day visit to India. During this, he met Foreign Minister S. Met Jaishankar. Many issues including trade, energy cooperation and security were discussed between the two countries.
On the India-US trade agreement, Rubio said that about 99 percent of the work has been completed and some issues are yet to be agreed upon. He also said that US tariff and visa policies are not targeted at India.