Question : USCIRF VISIT TO INDIA

(a) whether a delegation of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) was intending to visit India in June, 2009;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the purpose of the visit;

(c) whether USCIRF commented adversely on certain issues concerning the religious freedom within the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government considers such comments as direct interference in the internal affairs of India; and

(f) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

(a) & (b) A delegation from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had proposed to visit India in June 2009 to study religious freedom conditions in the country.

(c) & (d) The USCIRF released its Annual Report on 9 May 2009. The report did not include a reference to the religious freedom situation in India. However, the USCIRF had earlier, in a press release issued on 10 Jan 2008 expressed concern at the outbreak of communal violence in Orissa in 2007.

(e) & (f) Government of India does not take cognisance of comments made by such Commissions in foreign countries on internal matters of India.