Washington: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, highlighted the need for enhanced collaboration between India and the United States to offer a democratic alternative to China’s “non-democratic production vision.” Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington DC, Gandhi emphasized the importance of presenting a united front against China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which he criticized for its predatory funding practices that undermine the sovereignty of participating countries.
Gandhi, who is on a three-day visit to the US, expressed confidence in the bipartisan support for the India-US relationship in both nations. He noted continuity in the approach towards this relationship between the Congress-led government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. He also remarked that Vice-President Kamala Harris’s stance on India-US relations is similar to that of former President Donald Trump.
During his visit, Gandhi met with US lawmakers, including Indian American Representatives Ro Khanna and Shri Thanedar, progressive Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and senior Congressman Brad Sherman.
Discussing India-US relations, Gandhi distinguished between defense cooperation—where he expressed satisfaction—and the broader challenge posed by China’s approach to global production and prosperity. He urged both countries to develop a democratic model of production and manufacturing to counterbalance China’s influence.
Gandhi also addressed domestic political issues in India, firmly asserting that the struggle for democracy in India is an internal matter and should not be influenced by external parties. “The fight for democracy in India is an Indian fight,” he said. “It’s our problem, and we’ll take care of it.”
His comments reflect a broader push for strengthened US-India ties and a collaborative approach to addressing global challenges posed by non-democratic models of development.
–IANS
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