Asserting that Indian democracy is a “global public good”, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that its “collapse” will have an impact on the world and is not in America’s national interest. At the same time, Gandhi, who is currently on a six-day tour of the United States, said in multiple settings that the issue of democracy is an internal matter of the country.
“It’s our job, it’s our business, and it’s our work to fight the battle for democracy in India. And it’s something that we understand, we accept, and we do,” he told reporters at a news conference here at the National Press Club on Thursday.
“But the thing to remember is that Indian democracy is a global public good. Because India is large enough that a collapse in democracy in India will have an impact on the world, so that is for you to think about how much you value Indian democracy. But for us, it’s an internal matter, and it’s a fight that we are committed to, and we are going to win,” Gandhi said.
He gave a similar answer to questions on democracy at a reception hosted for him by eminent Indian American Frank Islam. Responding to a question, Gandhi said that there is a need to broaden the India-US relationship and that it should not be restricted to just defence relationships alone.
Responding to a question on China at a dinner reception, Gandhi said the Chinese system offers prosperity, but under a non-democratic system. “I feel that an alternative vision needs to be put on the table. I think that’s the real challenge facing the United States, India, and other democracies. What exactly does a countervailing vision look like, and what are the core elements of that vision?” he said. When asked whether if the Congress party returns to power, it will ensure the rights of minorities in India, Gandhi said, “India has a very robust system already in place; that system has been weakened. But it’s not that that system doesn’t exist. If a democratic conversation is allowed to be fostered, then these issues will settle themselves. So the rule of law is in place, and perhaps as it hits you, you have to have an independent set of institutions that are not pressurised, and that has been the norm in India. This is an aberration that has taken place,” he said.
