NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti expressed concern over religious minorities and their treatment in Bangladesh to call for international efforts protecting their rights. Speaking before an audience in New Delhi, Garcetti said religious minorities are vital for world democracy and peace.
“We have been very clear that around the world, religious minorities must be protected no matter what country they live in. That’s a cornerstone not only of democracy but of peace in the world,” Garcetti said. His remarks came in the wake of reports highlighting violence against Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh, which has raised an alarm among international observers.
The US has always advocated the rights of minorities in South Asia, and Garcetti reiterated that his country “remains committed to this day to making sure all these communities have a seat at the table.” “We’re working very closely, as we always have, in South Asia—Bangladesh and here in India—to make sure that those voices are never excluded, and we hope that will continue,” he added.
During his visit to the cultural exchange event at St. Xavier’s College in Maharo, Dumka, Jharkhand, he commented on the occasion while accompanied by Reuben Gauci, High Commissioner of Malta to India. This included a traditional Santali folk dance performance that demonstrated the region’s deep rich cultural heritage.
Garcetti seized the moment to comment on how important Jharkhand is, saying that the region is the “heartland of India.” Garcetti emphasized that it’s a place with deep-rooted traditions with a close connection with land among the Santhal people dwelling in the region. “Santhal people and Jharkhand—this entire region is such a heartland of India, a place where the people are close to the land, where traditions run deep,” he said. “It’s a place I’ve wanted to visit since my very first meeting with President Murmu.”
Drawing comparisons between Indian and American tribal cultures, Garcetti spoke about the shared respect for nature and the importance of preserving the environment. “We understand why nature is important, we preserve and conserve nature, and we look at ways that we can coexist with nature,” he noted. “The world needs these lessons more than ever.”
