Decoding Kamala Harris’ sermon on democracy and future implications for India
The Indian swan song of threat to world peace due to terror infrastructure in its neighbourhood will not find many takers. For the world, a resurgent, undemocratic China is the biggest threat now.
When Kamala Harris visited India, it laid bare the palpable difference between the American Government of the past including the outgoing Trump administration. For Harris, Democracy, human rights and treatment of minorities were of utmost importance. It also gave an inkling to the Modi Government that going henceforth will not be easy.
A lot has been said about the successful visit of Prime Minister Modi. However, the BJP party loudmouths and the media remained unaware of the stern warning which the Biden Administration had given to the Modi Government.
“Democracy is in threat everywhere” – Kamala Harris
The three strengths of India, the three ‘D’ –Demography, Demand and Democracy are all facing tough times. A burgeoning population is aggravating the problem of unemployment made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand is also shrinking or one can say beyond the means of a major section of the population and of course Democracy which is facing new threats from the executive with each passing day.
Kamala Harris had tough words for the falling standard of democracy. Even though she did not specifically name India but she did say that Democracy is facing a threat all over the world. She also drew a comparison between Trump and the present Indian Government and the underlying message is clear. The Biden Administration will not like any dilution in the democratic norms of India.
China, not Islamic terror is the biggest threat to the world
One thing which is evident is that the Biden administration is more forthright in perceiving China as an imminent threat in the coming years. Therefore it has operationalized the AUKUS agreement which is the first truly military alliance that is China-centric.
The Indian ruling elite must realize that the world no longer sees Islamic Terror as a threat. Therefore, it has left Afghanistan and its population to their destiny. The Indian swan song of threat to world peace due to terror infrastructure in its neighbourhood will not find many takers. For the world, a resurgent, undemocratic China is the biggest threat now. India must not swim against the tide and continue to haul the non-alignment policy of its forefathers.
On the home front, India must strengthen its democratic ideals and stop muzzling dissent. Plurality is the essence of India’s strength and it must not be diluted in any form.
