Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they last raised human rights issues with the government of India; and, further to the US State Department’s annual country report on human rights practices in India, published on 20 March, what assessment they have made of any increase in significant human rights issues in that country, including the reported targeting of religious minorities, dissidents and journalists.

The UK Government has a broad and deep partnership with the Government of India and we discuss all elements of our relationship. We remain committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, media freedom and to championing democracy and human rights around the world. Where we have issues, we raise them directly with the Government of India, including at Ministerial level.  I, Lord [Tariq] Ahmad, regularly speak to the High Commissioner of India. Human rights forms part of that dialogue. Our networks across India regularly meet civil society groups and run projects promoting human rights.