India: Democratic Freedoms - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 11:32 am on 14 March 2024.

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Photo of The Bishop of Leicester The Bishop of Leicester Bishop 11:32, 14 March 2024

My Lords, the number of acts of religiously motivated violence against Christians in India has increased almost every year since 2014, from 147 to 687 in 2023. Last year, over 500 Christians were arrested under anti-conversion laws, including a couple and their pastor during their wedding, on the grounds that it was a conversion event. Will the Minister condemn this state of affairs and, if so, what steps will the Government take with their allies to defend the freedom of religion and belief in India?