‘Unacceptable interference,’ India’s envoy says after U.S. lawmaker voices ‘deep concern’ over SIR

Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Mohan Kwatra. File | Photo Credit: PTI Hours after U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal extended support to the ongoing protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India, the Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Mohan Kwatra, said Ms. Jayapal’s comments amounted to “unacceptable interference” in India’s “internal affairs”.Ms. Jayapal had said the SIR was similar to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans for U.S. elections, allegedly aimed at removing parts of the U.S. electorate that was unlikely to vote for Mr. Trump.“The remarks by @RepJayapal on India’s electoral and political processes are unacceptable interference in India’s internal affairs. India is a vibrant democracy, with robust independent constitutional institutions and a longstanding record of free and fair elections,” Mr. Kwatra said in his remark posted on social media platform X.“Always open to constructive conversation with the Congresswoman to dispel her misconceptions,” he further said.“I am deeply concerned about the actions of the Indian government to purge 130 million people from the voting rolls. This appears to be a similar playbook to what the Trump Administration is doing here at home to undermine voting rights in a democracy,” Ms. Jayapal had earlier said, referring to deletion of voters from the electoral roll in India.“Protecting democracies everywhere is essential work, and the Indian people — like the American people — deserve free and fair elections,” Ms. Jayapal had further said.“Non-violent resistance movements are essential in these moments and I stand with the Indian people who are engaging in non-violent protests to counter anti-democratic efforts in India,” the Congresswoman said. Published - October 16, 2026 02:00 am IST