US Lawmakers Demand Review of Arms Sales to India Amid Transnational Repression Concerns

Concerns Raised Over Arms Sales to India

In Washington, a US congressman along with national security analysts has called for Congress to reassess arms sales to India, citing concerns over alleged transnational repression during a recent Capitol Hill briefing.

Congressman Jim McGovern, who co-chairs the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, urged Congress to support the bipartisan Transnational Repression Policy Act.

He also requested Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evaluate India's eligibility for US arms sales under the Arms Export Control Act.

The briefing, titled 'India's Transnational Repression Implications for US National Security,' took place on July 14 and was organized by Equitas Forum USA in collaboration with various human rights organizations.

Daniel Stanton, a former senior officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, highlighted that hostile nations are increasingly utilizing organized crime networks to exert state power.

These tactics include intimidating diaspora communities, threatening families back home, recruiting criminal proxies, and enabling violence against individuals residing in democratic nations.

Stanton emphasized the need to recognize transnational repression as a consistent pattern rather than isolated events.

Stephen Schneck, the former Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, noted that for the seventh consecutive year, the USCIRF recommended that India be designated as a Country of Particular Concern.

India has dismissed the USCIRF's findings, claiming they misrepresent facts and promote a biased narrative.

Allison McManus, Managing Director of National Security and International Policy at the Centre for American Progress, stated that strategic partnerships should not exempt governments from accountability.

Katie LaRoque, Director for Policy and Advocacy at Freedom House, called for a formal definition of transnational repression to be established in US law.

Harjot Singh, Federal Policy Manager at the Sikh Coalition, remarked that transnational repression poses a threat not only to specific communities but also to US sovereignty and civil liberties.

Lavleen Kaur Madahar, a Policy Associate at SALDEF, explained that the aim of transnational repression is to instill fear, leading individuals to self-censor their speech and civic engagement.

Ria Chakrabarty, Senior Policy Director at Hindus for Human Rights, who moderated the briefing, stated that any foreign government attempting to intimidate or surveil individuals in the US poses a significant threat.

Sarita Pandey, Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy at Equitas Forum USA, asserted that no foreign government, regardless of its strategic ties to the US, should be allowed to threaten individuals within the country without facing repercussions.