US monitoring rise in human rights abuses in India

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is monitoring recent "concerning developments" in India, including increased human rights abuses by some senior government officials, emphasizing that the US regularly works with its Indian partners on shared democratic values.

Blinken made these remarks at a joint press conference with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Indian counterparts Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh after the 2 + 2 Ministerial ended on Monday.

India has previously rejected criticism by foreign governments and human rights groups on allegations that civil liberties have eroded in the country. The Government of India has insisted that India has well-established democratic practices and robust institutions to safeguard the rights of all. 

The government also emphasised that the Indian Constitution provides for adequate safeguards under various statutes for ensuring the protection of human rights.