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Uzra Zia, the US Undersecretary for Civil Security, Democracy and Human Rights, plans to engage with civil society organizations on topics such as “freedom of expression and association” and “marginalized religious and ethnic minorities” during her visits to Delhi and Dhaka.
Zia, who is also the US Special Coordinator for Tibet Issues, is scheduled to travel to India and Bangladesh from July 8 to 14.
Zia’s visit follows the recent press conference held by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, where the US president stressed the importance of democratic values and respect for every citizen. In response to a question, Biden said both leaders had a “good discussion about democratic values.” He said, “This is the nature of our relationship: we are direct with each other and we respect each other.” I think we believe in the dignity of every citizen. And it’s in America’s DNA, and I believe in India’s DNA, that the whole world — the whole world has a stake in the success of us, both of us, in preserving our democracies.”
The US government’s statement on Zia’s visit emphasized its focus on issues of inclusion, particularly for women, girls, people with disabilities, and vulnerable groups. With her extensive diplomatic experience, including her service at the US Mission in New Delhi, Zia brings visiting recognition.
However, it is worth noting her involvement in the 2013-2014 ‘Devyanai Khobragade incident’, when the Indian diplomat was arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by local aide Sangeeta Richards. At the time, Zia was serving as Assistant Secretary of State in the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
Sangeeta had been granted a visa by the United States government that granted “continued presence”, a temporary immigration status for victims of human trafficking. T visas for Sangeeta’s husband and children were also arranged, making it look like a human trafficking case.
It was reported that when Zia was posted to India, Sangeeta’s close family members worked at her home. Then appointed Deputy Consul General of India in New York, Khobragade was arrested on December 12, 2013, outside her children’s school on charges of visa fraud and underpayment of her Indian domestic worker’s wages below the minimum wage.
Khobragade’s arrest drew widespread condemnation in India, resulting in one of the weakest points in diplomatic relations between India and the United States in decades. As a result of several reciprocal steps taken by India, one of them was the abolition of diplomatic privileges granted to American diplomats serving in India, which were beyond the rights and privileges enjoyed by Indian diplomats posted to the United States.
After her visit to India, Zia will travel to Dhaka, where she will meet with senior government officials to discuss important topics, including the Rohingya refugee crisis, labor issues, human rights, free and fair elections, and combating human trafficking. This visit takes on importance amid the recent tensions between the US and Bangladesh over “free and fair elections”.
Her visit to Bangladesh is seen as an attempt to engage after the two countries’ recent diplomatic spat over “democratic values”. The United States recently announced a policy of restricting visas for individuals from Bangladesh, who are believed to have undermined the democratic election process. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “The United States is adopting a new policy to restrict entry to visas for any individual Bangladeshi, who is believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, the undermining of the democratic election process in Bangladesh.”
In response to the criticism from the United States, the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the integrity of the elections, stating, “The government apparatus will take necessary measures to prevent and address any illegal practices or interference with… the elections.” Bangladesh also confirmed that the electoral process will be closely monitored by international observers accredited by the Election Commission.
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