US officials ‘ill informed’, should avoid assessments based on ‘motivated inputs’ – India on religious freedom report

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<strong>Terming comments by senior US officials as "ill informed",  India said on Friday that it "values religious freedom and human rights" and assessments based on "motivated inputs and biased views" must be avoided.</strong></p>
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While releasing the annual US State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom on Thursday, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had highlighted "rising attacks on people and places of worship" in the world's largest democracy.<br />
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In a strong reply to Washington, New Delhi said that it has noted the release of the report and the "ill informed" comments by senior US officials.<br />
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"It is unfortunate that vote bank politics is being practiced in international relations. We would urge that assessments based on motivated inputs and biased views be avoided," said External Affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a statement today.<br />
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"As a naturally pluralistic society, India values religious freedom and human rights. In our discussions with the US, we have regularly highlighted issues of concern there, including racially and ethnically motivated attacks, hate crimes and gun violence," he added. </p>
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