India’s Leader of Opposition in the Lower House of Indian Parliament, Rahul Gandhi has said that he does not see a big diversion between Congress and BJP when it comes to the US-India relationship.
“I don’t see Mr. Modi diverting very much from our approach with the US. And I don’t see ourselves changing direction very much. So I see continuity there. I think everybody on both sides of the equation, everybody does accept the fact that the India-US relationship is key for both countries,” said Gandhi while participating in the National Press Club’s Headliners Event, answering questions on various topics on September 10, 2024, in Washington DC.
To a question about whether Democrats or Republicans have a different India policy, he said “I don’t think they differ very much on India policy. There’s basic acceptance of the relationship between these two countries. So, I don’t think we will differ very much from Mr. Modi on this issue. And I don’t think the Democrats or the Republicans will differ very much.”
“I think you’re a very powerful democracy. You believe in certain ideas and freedom on democratic participation, and I think that’s important for the world,” he noted about the strength of the United States, adding “India is an open country. India is not one idea. India is multiple ideas. India’s biggest strategic asset is our democracy, which is just not India’s asset, it is the world’s asset.”
He mentioned that Indian politics changed dramatically in 2014, becoming more aggressive and attacking the foundations of democracy. This has made the political fight tough but worthwhile, and it has personally transformed him. He never would have imagined walking from Kanyakumari to Kashmir before 2014, adding “I would have just laughed at you at the idea.”
“But that was the only way left for the opposition in our country. Media was suppressed, institutions were controlled, agencies were attacking the opposition, governments were being overthrown, and we found that literally, the only way was to go directly to the people, and that certainly changed me in fundamentals.”
He also reflected on how, in the 1960s, the US led in manufacturing, but later, countries like the US, India, and the West outsourced these jobs to China. He emphasized that India focusing only on a services economy would limit employment opportunities for its people.
In view of the current situation, Gandhi said “So one of the things I’m interested in is thinking about the act of production, also called manufacturing.” Each area in India has its own specialty of production.
The textile industry in Bellary, Karnataka is being distorted, he said adding “So we are looking at these pockets of excellence, trying to bring modern technology, financial support to build them. So, the vision would be more of a decentralized production system unlike China, which have huge factories. We would be thinking about smaller and small medium businesses and embedding modern technology.”
He pointed out that there is a significant opportunity for India and the United States to revitalize their production capabilities, but in a way that contrasts with China’s non-democratic model. The challenge for the 21st century is whether these two democracies can present an alternative vision for production that upholds the values of freedom and democracy. This approach may hold key solutions for the future.
About relations with Bangladesh after the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, “We have an old relationship with the people of Bangladesh. My grandmother was deeply involved with the creation of Bangladesh. I think there are concerns in India about extremist elements in Bangladesh. I am confident that things will stabilize in Bangladesh, and that we will be able to have a relationship with the current government or any other government,”
He made it clear that he is against any type of violence in Bangladesh and emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Bangladeshi Government to bring it under control immediately.
Regarding India-Pakistan relations over Kashmir, Gandhi said “We’re not going to accept Pakistan carrying out terror acts in our country. We’re just not going to accept it. And until they keep doing that there’s going to be problems between us.
