U.S. Lawmakers Urge Review of Arms Sales to India
In a recent meeting on Capitol Hill, a U.S. congressman and national security experts called for a reevaluation of arms sales to India, citing concerns over alleged practices of transnational repression.
Congressman Jim McGovern, who co-chairs the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, emphasized the need for Congress to support the bipartisan Transnational Repression Policy Act. He also urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reassess India’s eligibility for U.S. arms sales under the Arms Export Control Act.
The briefing, titled “India’s Transnational Repression: Implications for U.S. National Security,” took place on July 14 and was organized by Equitas Forum USA in collaboration with various groups, including the Sikh Coalition and Hindus for Human Rights.
Daniel Stanton, a former senior officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, highlighted concerns that hostile governments are using organized crime to exert power over diaspora communities. He stressed the importance of recognizing patterns of transnational repression instead of viewing them as isolated incidents.
Stephen Schneck, a former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, mentioned that India has been recommended for designation as a Country of Particular Concern for seven consecutive years by USCIRF. However, India has dismissed these reports, claiming they distort facts to promote a biased narrative.
Allison McManus from the Centre for American Progress pointed out that strategic partnerships should not shield countries from being held accountable for their actions. Similarly, Katie LaRoque from Freedom House called for a legal definition of transnational repression in the U.S.
Harjot Singh of the Sikh Coalition noted that transnational repression threatens not just individual communities but American sovereignty and civil liberties as well. Lavleen Kaur Madahar from SALDEF stated that the goal of such repression is to instill fear, causing people to limit their own speech and civic involvement.
Ria Chakrabarty from Hindus for Human Rights concluded the discussion by emphasizing that foreign governments that attempt to intimidate individuals in the U.S. pose a threat to the nation as a whole. Sarita Pandey from Equitas Forum USA underscored that no foreign government should be able to target individuals in the U.S. without facing consequences.
This ongoing debate highlights the complex relationship between the U.S. and India and raises questions about the implications of arms sales in light of human rights concerns.
Published – July 18, 2026
