Washington: A Hindu political group in the United States, led by Utsav Sanduja, a supporter of Donald Trump, has expressed concerns over Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ perceived favoritism towards Pakistan and its implications for the Kashmir issue, should she win the presidency.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Sanduja has circulated a video where Harris is seen praising Asif Mahmood, a Pakistani-American and a Commissioner of the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), highlighting Mahmood’s connections to the Pakistani government. “Kamala Harris is Pakistan’s preferred choice this November. Indian Americans, we can do better,” Sanduja commented on social media. He further suggested that Harris’ associations could influence her policies on Kashmir if elected, potentially affecting Indo-US relations.

In the video, reportedly from a June 2019 event at Mahmood’s residence, Harris acknowledges Mahmood’s long-term support and mentions him as one of her first contacts after deciding to run for president. This relationship might signal a policy tilt towards Pakistan on critical issues like Kashmir.

The group’s concerns coincide with a recent USCIRF report, which critiqued the decline of religious freedom in India, especially surrounding the period of the country’s general elections in 2024. Sanduja’s campaign to highlight these connections is aimed at urging Indian Americans to reconsider their support for Harris, whom he views as potentially destabilizing for Indo-US relations.