These Lawmakers Are Boycotting PM Modi's US Congress Address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a joint session of the US Congress on June 22, becoming the first Indian PM to be accorded this honour twice. His first address came in June 2016.

The leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate from both parties invited PM Modi to share his vision of India's future and the global challenges faced by both countries.

However, US lawmakers Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jamie Raskin have decided to skip Prime Minister Narendra Modi's joint congressional address, alleging that the Modi-led union government in India has repressed religious minorities.

A total of 75 Democratic senators and members of the House of Representatives have written to President Biden to discuss human rights issues with Modi.

"As longtime supporters of a strong U.S.-India relationship, we also believe that friends can and should discuss their differences in an honest and forthright way. That is why we respectfully request that - in addition to the many areas of shared interests between India and the U.S. - you also raise directly with Prime Minister Modi areas of concern," the letter read.

"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. Specifically, the State Department's 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in India documents the tightening of political rights and expression. Similarly, the State Department's 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom in India details the worrisome increase of religious intolerance toward minorities and religiously motived violence by both private and state actors. Further, the annual assessments compiled by Reporters Without Borders show that India, a country that has been known in the past for its vibrant and independent press, has fallen significantly in the rankings for press freedom. And according to Access Now, India ranks first in terms of the most internet shutdowns for the fifth year in a row," it noted.

"We join you in welcoming Prime Minister Modi to the United States. We want a close and warm relationship between the people of the United States and the people of India. We want that friendship to be built not only on our many shared interests but also on shared values. We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party - that is the decision of the people of India - but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy. And we ask that, during your meeting with Prime Minister Modi, you discuss the full range of issues important to a successful, strong, and long-term relationship between our two great countries," the Members write in closing," the letter added.

Rashida Tlaib

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is the history in 2008 by becoming the first Muslim woman to ever serve in the Michigan Legislature. She is a Democratic representative of Michigan's 12th District in the House of Representatives.

Ilhan Omar

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is a Democratic representative of Minnesota's 5th congressional district in House of Representatives. She is also a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Ocasio-Cortez, also known by her initials AOC, is a Democratic member representing New York's 14th congressional district in House of Representatives.

Jamie Raskin

Raskin, a Democratic member, is an American attorney, law professor, and politician serving as the US representative for Maryland's 8th congressional district in House of Representatives.