As Modi visits, Indian American lawmakers face balancing act

Speaking out against Modi government carries risks for US politicians in diaspora constituencies where PM is popular

Ahead of Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington this week, Pramila Jayapal – a progressive Democrat congresswoman – circulated a letter signed by dozens of congressional lawmakers calling for Joe Biden to acknowledge the erosion of human rights and democracy during the Indian prime minister’s nine years in power.

“A series of independent, credible reports reflect troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access,” it warned.