NEW DELHI – In a big diplomatic success for Pakistan, India gets anembarrassing blow.

In a diplomatic embarrassment for India, the lockdown in Kashmir, theNational Register of Citizens, and the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB)that excludes migrant Muslims, all came under criticism by US lawmakersduring a hearing on ‘Human Rights in South Asia’ in Washington on Tuesday.

India usually enjoys backing from the US government on Kashmir. On Tuesday,however, several lawmakers voiced anger over the clampdown in J&K. Theyquestioned their government over its backing of India amidst reports humanrights violations.

In Congressional hearing, the focus largely remained on questions of Indiaremoving special status to J&K on August 5, along with the restrictions anddetentions.

US lawmakers grilled Alice Wells, assistant secretary of state for SouthAsia, and assistant secretary for human rights, Robert Destro, on thecontinuing restrictions in Kashmir and whether/ how the US was leveragingits relationship with India on easing the restrictions. At one point,Destro concurred with a lawmaker that Kashmir had a “humanitarian crisis”.

Wells said that while US “remains concerned” about the impact of India’sactions in Kashmir, institutions like the Supreme Court are working and itis examining the government’s decision.

Wells’ remarks were in response to a question by Congresswoman Ilhan Omaron whether the US is committed to emphasising Kashmiri voices indetermining their future.

“I would underscore that Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi came in consecutiveterms,” she said. “He achieved a majority vote in a diverse population. Hisactions were approved in parliament, including by Opposition members. TheSupreme Court is reviewing that decision. The institutions of India’sdemocracy are working.”

The US believed that the Kashmiri people’s voice needed to be heard.