Examine the influence of human rights issues and democratic values on the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and India. How have these considerations affected bilateral engagements and what can be done to mitigate tensions arising from these issues?

USA and India encapsulate the soul of democratic values, driving their moral authority from being the oldest and largest democracies, respectively. Influence of Human Rights Issues in Indo-USA relations: 1) Similarity of political ideologies based on democracy and constitutional morality. 2) Respect for diverse minority communities. 3) Black Muslims in USA, Muslims in India. However, there are certain divergences in Indo-USA bilateral engagement:

Mitigation of tensions: 1) Respect for each other's sovereignty and internal matters. 2) Engaging in constructive dialogue to ensure amicable resolution of human rights issue. 3) Domestic autonomy to deal with internal issues. 4) Strengthening people to people, economic and defence relations to overcome disagreements about human rights issues. 5) Highlighting India's efforts to maintain peace and harmony in Kashmir & Manipur. Thus, Indo-USA relations are too precious to over-emphasise human rights issues but respect for mutual covenantry is necessary.