United States President Joe Biden has said that he raised issues of human rights and the importance of a free press with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the G-20 leaders Summit in Delhi.
Biden was in the Indian capital to attend the G20 summit, where he also held a bilateral meeting with Modi.
The US president left India on Sunday before the summit ended to travel to Vietnam, according to BBC News.
He made the remarks at a press conference in Hanoi.
The G20 summit had concluded with a joint declaration that mentioned the contentious topic of the war in Ukraine, but it was unanimously adopted. Several world leaders had on Sunday praised Modi after India as G20 president managed to negotiate a consensus on the agreement.
Biden said he had had “substantial discussions” with Mr Modi about continuing to strengthen the India-US relationship.
“And, as I always do, I raised the important [subject] of respecting human rights and the vital role that civil society and a free press have in building a strong and prosperous country with Mr Modi,” he added.
Critics say that attacks on minorities, especially Muslims, have risen since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014, led by Mr Modi. His government has denied this.
According to the latest World Press Freedom index released by Reporters Without Borders in May, India’s spot has dropped 11 places from last year to 161.
Activists and rights campaigners have often called on Western leaders including Biden to raise these issues with Modi. But experts say the US will tread carefully as India is seen as a crucial ally in attempts to stem China’s rise.