NEW DELHI: Indian officialdom has reacted with surprise – and mild irritation – at US President Barack Obama’s latest comments about rising instances of religious intolerance in India, with officials suggesting that it may have something to do with his desire to placate the politically influential evangelical Christian lobby and prevent perceptions of closeness between the two nations from racing ahead of reality.Top government sources told ET on Friday that Obama’s two back-to-back statements on religious intolerance – the first during his speech in Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium on Jan 27 and the latest during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Thursday – now appears to be part of a well thought out strategy to project an impression that while relations had improved, differences remain on vital issues and recent displays of bonhomie were partly optics.While the foreign ministry did not officially comment on Obama’s comments sources said the Prime Minister’s Office viewed them as largely stemming from his political compulsion. Yet, they did not regard the statements as innocent and made without any calculation, especially noting that US leaders often do not raise voice against theocratic regimes and even count them as allies.“The US President understands that religion is a very sensitive issue in India, especially in the present regime under Narendra Modi,” said one top official, adding that the comments were not offthe-cuff remarks but subtle attempts to pressure India into making concessions.This official said the optics of the Obama visit made it seem path-breaking amid displays of warmth and personal chemistry.But behind the scenes, during the delegation level talks, there wasn’t much warmth even though both sides did manage to make progress in nuclear, defence and clean energy sectors.“Hard bargains were being driven for defence deals with the US not really happy about India’s continued procurements from Russia… There was pressure being built to send our troops to Afghanistan, on the pretext that they will be more effective since they know the region better,” the official said, adding that if the US had its way, India would cancel all its ongoing deals regarding nuclear energy with Russia and also buy all its defence equipment only from them. “But that is not possible. India needs Russia, and it also needs China. The US cannot expect to exercise influence over how India deals with countries, which it views as being inimical to its interests,” said this person, a top official who requested anonymity in view of the sensitivity around the topic.Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast with the Dalai Lama in attendance, Obama condemned those using religion as a rationale for carrying out violence around the world, and pointedly referred to India where he said people had been targeted for their beliefs. “Michelle and I returned from India — an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity — but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and beliefs — acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation,” he said.Coming close on the heels of Obama’s seemingly successful visit to Delhi, his latest remarks, which embarrassed the government, were seen as catering to his domestic constituency. Obama, Indian officials said, was under pressure from Christian evangelists to deliver a strong message to India, where religious conversions have become abig issue, especially after the BJP led government was elected.There have been attacks on churches and provocative remarks by BJP lawmakers in the last several months. Groups aligned to the Sangh Parivar have also been vocal about so-called Ghar Wapsi programmes to reconvert minority groups back to Hinduism. The Narendra Modi-led government has kept its distance from such efforts, but ministers have spoken of a need to debate a law banning all religious conversions.Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal termed Obama’s latest comments as uncalled for and suggested that such remarks risked adversely impacting bilateral ties. Sibal did not think the comments were tools of leverage to extract benefits for US interests, noting that they appeared aimed at appeasing religious groups in the US.Another former diplomat who did not wish to be named speculated Obama was probably leaned on by human rights groups to voice concerns to show there existed differences between the two sides contrary to optics of bonhomie, especially Modi’s bear hugs with him and the prime minister addressing the president by his first name.MEA officials say in private that they are surprised with the US’ selective approach. Its leaders do not raise voice against theocratic regimes, counting them as allies.In a US-style town hall address during his US visit, Obama had made a strong pitch for religious tolerance, cautioning that India will succeed so long as it was not “splintered along the lines of religious faith”.As rivals of the BJP used the US president’s remarks to try and embarrass the prime minister, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said India was a tolerant nation. “India has a huge history of tolerance. Any aberrations don't alter India's history of tolerance,” Jaitley said, adding that the best example of India's tolerance was the Dalai Lama sitting next to Obama.Congress leader and former minister Manish Tewari taunted in an acerbic tweet: “Did the Prime Ministerial Tea reinforce Barrack's understanding of the revivalism & intolerance intrinsic in the BJP govt. Another stinker? (sic)”Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, when queried about the US president’s remarks, quipped: “I think Mr Modi will answer this, they are very good friends.”