U.S. Senate Foreign Relations chief Ben Cardin wades into CAA row, after sharp exchanges between Delhi and Washington

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By PTI

Adding to the heated exchange of words between Delhi and Washington over the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the Chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has questioned the timing of the Modi government’s decision. In a statement issued in Washington on Monday, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin said that he was “deeply concerned” by the Indian government’s decision to notify the “controversial” CAA and its “potential ramifications” for India’s Muslim community. 

“Making matters worse is the fact that it is being pushed during the holy month of Ramadan (Ramzan). As the U.S.-India relationship deepens, it is critically important that our cooperation is based on our shared values of protecting the human rights of all persons, regardless of religion.”


Adding to the heated exchange of words between Delhi and Washington over the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the Chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has questioned the timing of the Modi government’s decision. In a statement issued in Washington on Monday, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin said that he was “deeply concerned” by the Indian government’s decision to notify the “controversial” CAA and its “potential ramifications” for India’s Muslim community. 

“Making matters worse is the fact that it is being pushed during the holy month of Ramadan (Ramzan). As the U.S.-India relationship deepens, it is critically important that our cooperation is based on our shared values of protecting the human rights of all persons, regardless of religion.”

Eye on India

The MEA declined to comment on the remarks by the U.S. Senator, who most recently was in the news for placing a temporary hold on a US Congress notification for the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India, over the issue of the alleged plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Mr. Cardin removed his hold only after he said he received assurances that the US government would ensure a thorough investigation and full cooperation from New Delhi into allegations that a senior Indian official had overseen a plan to hire a hitman to kill Mr. Pannun. 

This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.