As world leaders prepare to gather in New Delhi for the upcoming G20 summit, mounting concerns over the escalating violence in India’s northeastern state of Manipur are prompting urgent calls for the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to raise the issue during the international gathering.

Since May of this year, Manipur has witnessed a disturbing surge in christian persecution, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people and the destruction of hundreds of homes, churches, and religious institutions. 

This crisis has triggered growing international alarm, with human rights advocates, religious organizations, and lawmakers demanding immediate attention to the deteriorating situation.

A significant step towards highlighting the issue came during a recent event held in the UK Parliament, organized by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on India in collaboration with various Christian charities. Attendees gathered to discuss the most recent developments in Manipur and to advocate for a more robust response from the UK government.

David Campanale, the author of the International Freedom of Religion or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) report on the violence in Manipur, was among the distinguished panelists at the event.

In an interview with Premier Christian News, Campanale expressed a pressing concern, stating, “What we want to see is that before economic trade relations are settled, as Britain wants a trade deal post-Brexit with India, the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak raises this question of the violation of fundamental rights in Manipur. We cannot sacrifice the rights and liberties of ordinary Indian citizens. We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering that they’re going through in order to land a trade deal.”

The Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Fiona Bruce, echoed these sentiments during the event, emphasizing that the UK government’s response thus far has been “inadequate.” She also revealed that her deputy had recently traveled to India with a mission to elevate the profile of Freedom of Religion or Belief in the region, underscoring the critical nature of the issue.

The event further featured prominent voices, including Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland; Tehmina Arora, Director of Advocacy (Asia) at ADF International; Lord Alton of Liverpool; and John Newton, senior press officer at Aid to the Church in Need. Together, they made a compelling case for urgent intervention and increased international awareness regarding the crisis in Manipur.

The urgency of addressing the Manipur crisis could not be more timely, as G20 leaders are set to convene in New Delhi for their annual summit. The gathering, scheduled for the second weekend of September, will see world leaders discussing various global issues, including sustainable development and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

While these topics are undeniably critical, the unrelenting violence in Manipur shows the ongoing human rights abuses and the pressing need for international intervention. The Manipur crisis is not just a local issue; it is a matter of global concern that warrants immediate attention from the international community.

As the world’s attention turns towards New Delhi for the G20 summit, there is a growing chorus of voices urging the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other world leaders to prioritize addressing the escalating violence in Manipur. 

The hope is that this international platform will serve as an opportunity to not only condemn the atrocities but also to take concrete steps towards bringing an end to the suffering of the people of Manipur and restoring their fundamental rights and liberties.