Whereas religious freedom is a core human right and a right recognized by international law and treaties; Whereas religious freedom is— (1) a necessary component of United States foreign policy and our Nation’s commitment to defending democracy and freedom globally; and (2) a vital element of national security, which is critical to ensuring a more peaceful, prosperous, and stable world; Whereas India is the world’s most populous democracy, which has long, unique, and important relationship with the United States in promoting common values and upholding regional stability; Whereas the strong relationship between the United States and India is fundamentally premised on both countries'— (1) cherished common values of liberty, freedom, justice, and equality before law; and (2) opposition to every type of discrimination; Whereas, during a visit to India in July 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, [W]e view Indian democracy as a force for good in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific [and] a free and open world ; Whereas the existence of a truly free and open Indo-Pacific is conditional on the protection of the freedoms and rights of all civilians; Whereas, on June 2, 2022, while releasing the Department of State’s 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, Secretary Blinken commented, [I]n India, the world's largest democracy and home to a great diversity of faiths, we've seen rising attacks on people and places of worship ; Whereas, less than 1 year after becoming India’s Prime Minister in 2014, Narendra Modi promised, My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith and that everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence ; Whereas India has historically been a strong and pluralistic democracy, being the birthplace of several of the world’s great religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism