Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government on the rise of Hindu militancy in India. [125162]
§ Mr. HainDuring his visit to India in April, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised with the India Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh, his concerns over incidents of religious intolerance. I also discussed attacks on religious minorities with my Indian interlocutors during my visit to India last November.
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the frequency of attacks against the Christian population of India in each of the last four years. [125144]
§ Mr. HainWe have been following closely reports of attacks on Christians in India. We have noted with concern an apparent increase in such reports over the past four years. We have raised this issue with Indian authorities on a number of occasions and have urged them to respond to international concern over attacks on Christians. We and our High Commission in New Delhi will continue to monitor this issue.
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received concerning attacks on Christians in India. [125164]
§ Mr. HainOur High Commission in New Delhi continues to monitor the position of religious minorities in India closely, including reports of attacks on Christians.
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he is giving the Indian Government to reduce Hindu militant attacks on the Christian population of India. [125163]
§ Mr. HainWe support the Indian authorities in their efforts to ensure that the right to freedom of religion, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, is guaranteed. We have welcomed the Indian Government's assurances that attacks on Christians are fully investigated and action taken against the perpetrators.