Philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates aren't backing down from an event honouring India Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite protesters raising concerns about human rights abuses in the disputed Kashmir region.
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The Gates Foundation, the world's largest private nonprofit organisation says Modi will receive its annual Goalkeepers Global Goals Award for providing 500 million people in India with safe access to toilets.
A petition with 100,000 signatures was delivered to the Foundation's Seattle headquarters on Monday, asking for the award to be cancelled.
Modi's Hindu nationalist-led government has revoked the autonomy of India's only Muslim-majority state. It has imposed tighter controls on India's side of Kashmir, including limiting internet access, mobile and landline phones and cable TV in the disputed region which is home to 12.5 million people.
The Gates Foundation in a statement said it respects the petitioners' views, but the award would go ahead.
"We work on the specific issues where we believe we can have the greatest impact for the world's poorest," the Gates Foundation statement said.
The Gates Foundation's annual event focusing on global inequality on September 24 and 25 coincides with the UN General Assembly gathering and has drawn big-name politicians and celebrities, from Barack Obama to Ed Sheeran.
However, the Gates Foundation confirmed actors Jameela Jamil and Riz Ahmed have dropped out.
Modi will be in the US next week to receive the foundation's award.
The Indian prime minister will also attend an event with President Donald Trump in Houston.
The White House said Trump will use the "Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures" event to "emphasise the strong ties between the people of the United States and India" and reaffirm the two countries' strategic partnership.
Australian Associated Press
