Russia claims US trying to interfere in Lok Sabha polls, questions lack of evidence over Pannun case
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Moscow, May 9: In a significant development, Russia claimed that the United States was trying to interfere in India's parliamentary elections and "unbalance" the internal political situation in the country. It also said that the US was yet to provide "reliable evidence" of the involvement of Indian citizens in the foiled murder plot against Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Referring to the US's report on religious freedom in India, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the US lacked understanding of India's national mentality and history.
“America continues to make 'unfounded accusations' about religious freedoms and it is disrespectful to India. The reason (behind the US accusations) is to unbalance the internal political situation in India and complicate the general elections," RT News quoted Zakharova as saying.
Notably, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom and several other issues in its latest report. It called for designating India and 16 other nations as "countries of particular concern" for "engaging in or tolerating particularly severe violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief".
"Unfounded Accusations:" US Aims to Destabilise India During #LokSabha2024 - Russian Foreign Ministry
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) May 8, 2024
Spox Maria Zakharova has said Washington lacks simple understanding of India's national mentality and history, as America continues to make "unfounded accusations" about… pic.twitter.com/M8G0gtiP92
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a strong response, called the report "biased" and said the USCIRF continued to "publish anti-India propaganda" masquerading as part of its annual report.
The Russian official also rubbished allegations by the US that an Indian intelligence official planned to allegedly kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
“According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain Pannun. Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable," Zakharova said.