The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused the United States of seeking to disrupt India’s internal political stability to complicate the ongoing general parliamentary elections. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, asserted that the US aims to create turmoil within India to hinder the electoral process. She emphasized that such actions constitute part of a broader campaign by the US to interfere in India’s domestic affairs.
Zakharova explicitly affirmed allegations of US interference in the Indian elections, stating, “Absolutely. I think that this is a desire to complicate the ongoing general parliamentary elections in India on the part of the United States and is part of a campaign to interfere in India’s internal affairs.” She elaborated on the motive behind this interference, attributing it to a strategic aim of destabilizing India’s internal political landscape to disrupt the electoral process. She emphasized that such interference constitutes a violation of India’s sovereignty and democratic processes.
India has vehemently condemned attempts by external entities to interfere in its electoral process. The country criticized the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for its purported interference and dissemination of what India perceives as propaganda against it. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, rebuked the USCIRF, labeling it a biased organization with a political agenda. Jaiswal dismissed the USCIRF’s reports as biased and lacking understanding of India’s diverse and pluralistic society.
Jaiswal further asserted that India’s democratic ethos and electoral processes are robust and resilient against external interference. He highlighted the futility of attempts by organizations like the USCIRF to influence India’s electoral exercise, emphasizing that such efforts would not succeed. Additionally, India expressed dissatisfaction with the USCIRF’s characterization of religious freedom in the country, rejecting allegations of deteriorating religious freedom and discriminatory policies by the Indian government.
The USCIRF’s annual report, which criticizes India for alleged violations of religious freedom and recommends its designation as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC),” has drawn strong objections from India. India refuted these allegations and reiterated its commitment to religious freedom and pluralism. The Indian government emphasized its efforts to uphold democratic values and protect the rights of all its citizens, irrespective of religious affiliations. India denounced external attempts to malign its image and interfere in its internal affairs, affirming its sovereignty and democratic principles.
