Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of statistics published by Aid to the Church in Need showing that there were 316 attacks on Christians in the first five months of 2017 compared to 365 incidents in the whole of 2016; what representations they have made to the government of India regarding the rise in violence towards religious minorities; and what assessment they have made of the situation of religious minorities in India.

The Government condemns all instances of discrimination and violence against individuals or groups because of their religion, regardless of the country or faith concerned.

We regularly engage with Indian counterparts on a range of human rights issues, including minority rights. The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India. We are aware of reported incidents against religious minorities in India and continue to monitor the situation.