(Image source from: www.news18.com)

The issues related to Kashmir would be spoken about but the issues related to human rights wont be a part of the 2+2 dialogue between India and the US, said a top American diplomat.

On Wednesday at a programme for commemorating the 60th Anniversary of President Eisenhower’s Historic Visit to India, Alice G Wells, the acting assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia,said, “Human rights is not part of this 2+2 discussion that is taking place next week although I’m confident that the issues on Kashmir and the threat perceptions that India sees will obviously be a part of the agenda.”

Foreign Minister S.Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will arrive at Washington for the second round of ‘2+2’ Indo-US dialogue with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper as their US counterparts on Decembner 18.

“We continue to closely monitor the situation in Jammu and Kashmir where we look to the government to take additional steps to release detainees and restore political and economic normalcy that will help to ease local tensions,” Wells said at the programme organised by the south Asia Center of the Atlantic Council and The Asia Group.

“No one doubts that India faces a tough security situation given the terror groups that operate across the border, but Kashmiri people are entitled to their full rights under the Indian Constitution, which enshrines the respect for religious freedom of all Indians,” she said.

India has abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution in order to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcated it into two union territories on August 5 from which Jammu and Kashmir has been under communication blockade and some of the leaders under detention.

Pakistan expelled the Indian envoy and downgraded bilateral ties by reacting strongly to India’s decision to which India advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda. It has also told the international community that Article 370 was an internal matter.

She said that “there has been enormous support for India-US partnership. India caucus is a wonderful partner and trying to drive forward this relationship and remove the underbrush to enhance cooperation between the two countries.”

She also added saying, “there was concern in the US Congress about Kashmir and the controversial Citizenship Amendment bill (CAB).”

“But I think it’s the intensity, the level of concern with Congress over whether it’s Kashmir or actions on the CAB demonstrates the genuine concern here in the United States over India’s trajectory,” she said.

“...and the genuine concern that these kinds of social issues not detract from India’s ability to stand for the values of and to stand with us and trying to promote again this sea of free and open Indo-Pacific,” Wells said.

By Shrithika Kushangi