New Delhi (NVI): India today rejected the report on international religious freedom published by the US Department of State which made certain critical comments on India.
External Affairs Ministry said the “foreign entity” has no locus standi to make such comments.
“Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the state of our citizens’ constitutionally protected rights,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing here.
He said the report is published annually by the Department of State as part of its legal requirement to the US Congress and is an internal document of the US government.
“India’s vibrant democratic traditions and practices are evident to the world. The people and government of India are proud of our country’s democratic traditions,” he said.
“We have a robust public discourse in India and constitutionally mandated institutions that guarantee protection of religious freedom and rule of law,” the spokesman added.
