minorities who are in India illegally but can
demonstrate religious persecution in Muslim-
majority Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It
does not apply to Muslims.
Critics say the Citizenship Amendment Act is the
latest effort by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
Hindu nationalist-led government to marginalize
India’s 200 million Muslims, and a violation of the
country’s secular constitution.
The Trump administration has spoken out
forcefully against repression of Muslims and
other religious minorities in China and Myanmar,
but has remained relatively silent on India’s
proposed law, which Jaishankar defended as a
humanitarian gesture. Pompeo demurred when
asked how or whether the U.S. would respond to
the enforcement of the law.
“We care deeply and always will about
protecting minorities, protecting religious
rights everywhere,” he said. “We honor Indian
democracy as they have a robust debate inside of
India about (this) issue. The United States will be
consistent in the way that we respond to these
issues, not only in India but all around the world.”
Jaishankar rejected the suggestion that the law
is intended to discriminate against Muslims.
he said it was aimed at helping the most
vulnerable minorities.
“It is a measure which is designed to address
the needs of persecuted religious minorities
from certain countries,” he said. “If you look at
what those countries are and therefore what
those minorities are, you would understand why
certain religions were identified.”