75 U.S. Senators and Congressional representatives of the Democratic Party in a  letter to Joe Biden have asked him to talk with the Prime Minister Modi on his US visit  about issues concerning the democratic norms and human rights in India.

In their letter, the law makers cited reports and statistics such as rankings for press and religious freedoms and raised issues such as "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 letter which was initiated by Senators Chris van Hollen and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal further said the relation of both the countries, India and U.S, stating,  “We share a special bond through moral leaders who shaped our histories” and stated how both of them are highly regarded in India and the U.S. respectively.

The senators and representatives have also mentioned in the letter of how they would love to join to welcome the Prime Minister, support for deepening cooperation between the countries in the fields of defence, supply chain resilience, pharmaceuticals and also a “robust” cultural engagement between the countries. 

The letter said, We want a close and warm relationship between the people of the United States and people of India. We want that friendship to be built not only on our many shared interests but also on shared values."

"We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy."

Eighteen Senators and 57 members of the House of Representatives have signed the letter.