May 10th 2024.
During an event held by a prominent American think-tank, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, addressed concerns about the state of democracy in India. He confidently reassured the audience that he believes India will remain a vibrant democracy for many years to come, with free and fair elections. In fact, he even went as far as to say that in some ways, Indians are even better than Americans.
One of the things that impressed Garcetti about India's democracy is their law that limits the distance one can travel to vote to only two kilometers. This means that even someone living in a remote area, such as a monk in the mountains, will have the opportunity to cast their vote. Garcetti also praised the efforts made during elections to prevent any illegal activities, such as checking trucks for cash being used to buy votes. He noted that this is a common practice in some cities in the United States, but in India, it is taken very seriously.
However, when it comes to concerns about the state of democracy in India, Garcetti acknowledged that there are some issues that need to be monitored. He stated that the US does not shy away from addressing these concerns and believes it is important to speak out about them. But at the same time, he stressed the importance of not focusing solely on these issues, as it could damage the relationship between the two countries. Instead, he believes it is important to find common ground and build a strong relationship based on mutual understanding and respect.
Garcetti also highlighted the deep connections between the US and India, with many Indian leaders having been educated and worked in the US. He even shared that Americans have a higher approval rating in India than in their own country, which is a rare occurrence in today's world. He believes this is a huge advantage for the US and shows the strong bond between the two nations.
In regards to India's state governments, Garcetti pointed out that they hold just as much power as the central government and are run by opposition parties. While he acknowledged that there have been criticisms of these parties, he also noted that India has never had a perfect history when it comes to respecting everyone's rights. However, he believes it is America's role to stand up for their principles and values and never back down from discussing them.
Despite the points of conflict, Garcetti firmly believes that the relationship between the US and India will continue to thrive and grow in the 21st century. He has full trust in the relationship and sees it as one of the defining partnerships of our time.
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