U.S. State Department

September 16, 2024 6:12 PM

India rejects “deeply biased” US report on international religious freedom

The Indian government has strongly rejected the U.S. State Department's 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, describing it as "deeply biased" and lacking in understanding of India's social dynamics. In a statement delivered during a weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized the report, saying, "As in the past, the report is deeply biased, lacks an understanding of India's social fabric, and is visibly driven by votebank consi...

US upgrades Vietnam in human trafficking report despite concerns

The U.S. State Department on Monday boosted Vietnam's ranking on a human trafficking report, even as it cited concerns that the Southeast Asian country had failed to launch investigations into government officials complicit in trafficking crimes. A rights group last week accused Hanoi of giving misleading information and attempting to cover up trafficking cases involving officials in its communication with U.S. officials over the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Washington removed V...