"India Defends Citizenship Law Against US Criticism"

India rejects US concerns over the implementation of its religion-based citizenship law, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), as "misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted." The CAA, which aims to provide easier Indian citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from neighboring Muslim-majority countries, has sparked protests and criticism for allegedly discriminating against Muslims and undermining India's secular constitution. The US State Department expressed concern over the law's implementation, prompting a strong response from India, which views the CAA as an internal matter in line with its inclusive traditions and commitment to human rights. The law faces legal challenges, with India's top court set to hear petitions questioning its constitutional validity ahead of the upcoming general election.