Barack Obama: Row in India over former US president's remarks on Muslim rights

Source: BBC

Barack Obama: Row in India over former US president's remarks on Muslim rights

26 June 2023

By Cherylann Mollan in Mumbai and Sharanya Hrishikesh in New Delhi
BBC News

Leaders of India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have criticised former US President Barack Obama for his recent remarks on Muslims in India.

Mr Obama said in an interview last week that India may "start pulling apart" if the rights of minorities weren't protected.

He was responding to a question on how President Joe Biden should engage with "illiberal democrats".

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Mr Obama said it was "complicated", before referring to his own experience dealing with allies who may not have run "ideally democratic governments" but with whom relations had to be maintained for a number of reasons. He added that it was "appropriate" for the US president, when possible, to challenge "trends that are troubling" either in public or private.

"If the president meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India - that's something worth mentioning. ...

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66016432