Biden’s India ties raise democracy concerns.
President Joe Biden Strengthens Ties with India Amid Accusations of Autocracy
President Joe Biden finds himself in a delicate dance as he forges closer connections with India, even as accusations of the country’s slide toward autocracy loom. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently received a grand state visit, delivered a speech to Congress, and shared a meal with the Bidens at the White House, making him only the third foreign leader to do so under the Biden administration.
Biden and Modi: Two Great Nations, Two Great Friends
“Two great nations. Two great friends. Two great powers that can define the course of the 21st century,” Biden declared triumphantly alongside Modi on the South Lawn. “Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your partnership.”
Modi echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the shared democratic values and diversity between the two nations. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of India and the United States in working towards global good and peace.
Accusations and Boycotts
However, Modi faces accusations of undermining democracy and openly discriminating against political rivals and the Muslim minority in his country. These allegations led some members of Biden’s own party to boycott Modi’s speech to Congress. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) took to Twitter to announce her boycott and encouraged her colleagues who stand for pluralism, tolerance, and freedom of the press to join her.
Other members of the “Squad,” including Reps. Cori Bush (D-MO), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), joined Ocasio-Cortez in the boycott. Additionally, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called on Biden to address concerns about Modi’s actions during their meeting.
Human Rights Concerns and Political Backlash
Human rights organizations have condemned India’s treatment of minorities and political opponents, particularly opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Modi’s past denial of a U.S. visa in 2005 due to religious freedom violations, restrictions on press freedom, and the division of India’s only Muslim-majority state into two federally controlled territories have drawn criticism.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, an Indian-American herself, criticized the Squad for their support of “Palestinian terrorists and socialist dictators” in response to their boycott.
Addressing Concerns
During a press conference, both Biden and Modi were asked about the concerns regarding democratic backsliding. Biden assured that he had raised the issue with Modi and emphasized that democracy is ingrained in the DNA of both countries. Modi also chimed in, stating that there is no discrimination in India based on caste, creed, religion, or gender.
Geopolitics and the China Factor
The primary reason for Biden’s visit, according to Sadanand Dhume, an expert on South Asia from the American Enterprise Institute, is geopolitics rather than domestic politics. Strengthening the alliance with India on the global stage outweighs concerns over Modi’s conduct within his country. Dhume explains that the United States sees India as a potential counterweight to China, which has been a significant source of tension during the Biden presidency.
India, with its 2,000-mile border with China, also prioritizes countering Chinese influence. The border clash between Indian and Chinese troops last year further underscores this priority. Dhume asserts that despite concerns over democracy and India’s relationship with Russia, the focus remains on the China angle, driving the relationship and the visit.
A Domestic Angle
For Biden, there is also a domestic angle. Indian Americans overwhelmingly support Democrats, making this visit an opportunity for Biden to connect with an important constituency.
According to Manjari Chatterjee Miller and Clare Harris of the Council on Foreign Relations, this visit benefits Modi as well. They explain that the Biden administration is courting India as a political counterpoint to China, while Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party view the visit as crucial for countering China and bolstering Modi’s global image. As a result, the state of Indian democracy and human rights under the Modi regime may not receive significant focus during the visit.
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