Dozens of U.S. President Joe Biden’s fellow Democrats urged him on Tuesday to boost human rights points with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi throughout his go to to Washington this week, in response to a letter despatched to Biden.

Modi left for Washington on Tuesday for a visit projected as a milestone in ties between the two countries.

The U.S. lawmakers mentioned they have been involved about spiritual intolerance, press freedoms, web entry and the concentrating on of civil society teams.

“We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party — that is the decision of the people of India — but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy,” mentioned the letter, led by Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Pramila Jayapal.

A complete of 75 Democratic senators and members of the House of Representatives signed the letter, despatched to the White House on Tuesday and first reported by Reuters.

“And we ask that, during your meeting with Prime Minister Modi, you discuss the full range of issues important to a successful, strong, and long-term relationship between our two great countries,” the letter mentioned.

Modi has been to the United States 5 instances since turning into prime minister in 2014, however the journey will probably be his first with the complete diplomatic standing of a state go to, regardless of considerations over what’s seen as a deteriorating human rights state of affairs underneath his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Washington hopes for nearer ties with the world’s largest democracy, which it sees as a counterweight to China, however rights advocates fear that geopolitics will overshadow human rights points. Several U.S. rights teams plan protests throughout Modi’s go to.

The State Department’s annual report on human rights practices launched in March listed “significant human rights issues” and abuses in India.

Modi will tackle a joint assembly of the House and Senate on Thursday, one of many highest honors Washington affords to international dignitaries.

“A series of independent, credible reports reflect troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access,” the lawmakers mentioned within the letter.

They mentioned they joined Biden in welcoming Modi to the United States, and need a “close and warm relationship” between the individuals of the 2 nations, saying that friendship ought to be based mostly on shared values and “friends can and should discuss their differences in an honest and forthright way.”

“That is why we respectfully request that — in addition to the many areas of shared interests between India and the U.S. — you also raise directly with Prime Minister Modi areas of concern,” the letter mentioned.

Speaking to reporters earlier than Modi arrived in Washington, White House nationwide safety spokesperson John Kirby declined touch upon whether or not Biden would elevate the problem, however that it’s “commonplace” for Biden to boost considerations about human rights.