"If I can be frank, in international fora, India has often shied away from these issues," the US president said.
US President Barack Obama today criticised India for shying away from condemning alleged rights abuses by the Myanmarese junta, saying democracies with global aspirations should not remain silent and ignore "gross violations" in other countries.
"When peaceful democratic movements are suppressed, as they have been in Burma (Myanmar), then the democracies of the world cannot remain silent," Obama said in an address to the Parliament, a day after he demanded the immediate and unconditional release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
"Faced with such gross violations of human rights, it is the responsibility of the international community, especially leaders like the United States and India, to condemn it," he said, apparently unhappy that New Delhi has been soft towards the military regime in Yangon.
"If I can be frank, in international fora, India has often shied away from these issues," Obama said.
Though Obama earlier endorsed India's quest for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, the US president also underlined that a place at the top organ of the world body would require New Delhi to stand up for the promotion of democracy.
"With increased power comes increased responsibility," he said, adding that he looked forward to working with India, "and other nations that aspire to Security Council membership" to ensure that Security Council resolutions are implemented and sanctions enforced.
In an apparent reference to India's stated policy that it does not want to interfere in the affairs of any other country, Obama said, "Speaking up for those who cannot do so for themselves is not interfering in the affairs of other countries. It is not violating the rights of sovereign nations, it is staying true to our democratic principles."
India has maintained ties with the junta as security, energy and strategic priorities as China stepped up its activities there. India in July hosted Myanmar's military leader Than Shwe for a state visit.
In his speech, Obama also accused Myanmar's military rulers of "stealing" the country's first election in two decades which was held yesterday.
"It is unacceptable to gun down peaceful protesters and incarcerate political prisoners decade after decade.
"It is unacceptable to steal an election, as the regime in Burma has done again for all the world to see," he said.
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