Obama Should Spend His Energy Complimenting, Not Criticising, India: Former Chief Of US Religious Freedom Panel

Former commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Johnnie Moore has said that former US President should focus on complimenting India more than criticising the country.

Moore, an evangelical leader, stated in an interview with news agency ANI that India's diversity is its strength, and as the most diverse country in human history, it deserves compliments.

He added that India is not a perfect country, but neither is the United States.

"I think the former president (Obama) should spend his energy complimenting India, more than criticising India," Moore was quoted as saying by ANI.

"India is the most diverse country in human history. It's not a perfect country, just like the United States, it's not a perfect country, but its diversity is its strength, and we should be complimenting the largest democracy in the world every chance that we can, that we have," he added.

Moore's remarks came in response to Obama's recent interview with CNN, in which the former US president suggested that President Joe Biden should raise the issue of religious freedom with India.

During the interview, Obama said if India does not protect the rights of ethnic minorities, there is a strong possibility at some point that the country starts pulling apart.

He also suggested that the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India is something worth mentioning if President Biden meets with Prime Minister Modi.

The USCIRF is a federal government commission that provides policy recommendations to the US government.

The President and leaders of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives appoint USCIRF Commissioners.

Moore stated that instead of levelling criticism on PM Modi's historic visit, it was time to celebrate it with friends, especially when it comes to democracy.

"With your friends, it's sometimes better to privately criticise and to publicly, publicly praised. That's good geopolitics," Moore said.

Moore disagreed with the sentiment of former President Barack Obama.

Moore also mentioned that even in Obama's critique, he couldn't help but complement Prime Minister Modi. Moore added that he understood why after spending some time with him.

Moore, who served as a spiritual advisor to former President Donald Trump, praised India's diverse democracy and said that the country should be complemented at every opportunity.