Russia claims US trying to interfere in Lok Sabha polls: ‘Disrespectful to India’

Russia has claimed that the United States was trying to interfere in India’s parliamentary elections and “unbalance” the internal political situation in the country. In a media briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also said 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, Zakharova said the US lacked understanding of India’s national mentality and history.

“America continues to make ‘unfounded accusations’ about religious freedoms,” RT News quoted Zakharova as saying. Zakharova called it “disrespectful” to India.

“The reason (behind the US accusations) is to unbalance the internal political situation in India and complicate the general elections,” she further said.

In its latest report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom and several other issues.

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”.

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.