Why a resurgent India needs to be wooed

India has been dubbed by antiIndia groups as an ‘electoral autocracy.’ This is because they assume that the current Indian leadership restricts free speech, censors media, oppresses civil society organizations and cracks down on political opponents.

- HARSHA KAKAR

The expulsion of Rahul Gandhi from parliament after his conviction, has been described as cracking down on opponents. Free speech advocates received a boost when Income Tax authorities raided BBC offices for tax evasion soon after the release of the documentary on the Gujarat riots. It was believed to be an act of retaliation.

None of the accusers retracted their comments when the BBC itself acknowledged that it had evaded taxes. Statements by Indian democracy critics are exploited by multiple private or public funded organizations working overtime to bring down the global image of the current Delhi dispensation. The Indian government has always debunked any finger pointing against it.

It appears all their combined efforts to impact the US leadership to criticize India have come to naught. Statements by US government representatives present a different image. John Kirby, of the National Security Council (NSC), in response to a journalist’s question stated, "India is a vibrant democracy. Anybody that happens to go to New Delhi can see that for themselves." As Kurt Campbell, President Biden’s advisor on the IndoPacific stated, ‘both (India and the US) are imperfect democracies.’

There is also no question that the world needs India in case it seeks to counter growing global threats. As Prashant Jha writes in The Hindustan Times, "No global problem can be addressed without India in the room. From the NSC to the State Department to the Pentagon, officials have said that they have a clear directive from their bosses, make the Indian relationship work."