The recent exchange between the United States and India highlights the recurring issue of unnecessary interference in India's internal affairs by the U.S. administration. This shoot-and-scoot diplomacy, characterized by offering unwarranted remarks and then quickly moving on, is detrimental to the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Understanding the historical context and the current domestic challenges faced by the Biden administration provides insights into why such a diplomatic approach is flawed.
Historical Context and Recurring Pushback:
The United States and India share a strategic partnership encompassing trade, technology transfer, and defense cooperation. With an annual trade worth $122 billion and robust people-to-people relations, both nations must address common challenges, particularly concerning China. However, the United States often seizes opportunities, such as controversial journalist interviews, to belittle India by meddling in its internal matters. This tendency has persisted under the Biden administration, with the State Department failing to acknowledge India's sovereignty or refrain from commenting altogether.
Domestic Challenges for the Biden Administration:
The Biden administration, facing domestic challenges, appears to prioritize electoral gains over maintaining a strong relationship with India. Recent surveys indicate that a significant portion of the American population, including Democrats, disapprove of President Biden's performance. To appease the progressive camp and secure Arab and Muslim votes critical for his return to power, President Biden made promises to restore rights in Kashmir and intervene in other countries' internal matters. However, such promises prove impractical in today's complex world.
Unhappiness Among Key Constituencies:
The progressive camp and Arab and Muslim voters, vital for the Biden administration, express dissatisfaction with the President's actions. The failure to control the conflict in Gaza and the growing opposition to Israeli actions among Americans have raised concerns. Additionally, the issue of immigration along the US-Mexico border and dissent from Latino senators regarding Biden's approach to immigrants without legal papers have strained relations within the Democratic Party. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict without tangible progress further adds to the Democrats' concerns.
Keeping Democrats Happy and India's Response:
Amidst these challenges, President Biden's priority is to maintain the support of the Democratic Party to secure another term. The recent passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in a minor step for damage control demonstrates this. Regarding India, no progress has been made on the Kashmir issue, and appeasing the progressive crowd becomes crucial. However, the Biden administration's criticism of India's domestic matters disregards India's historical aversion to unnecessary interference. India has consistently pushed back against such comments, especially during election seasons, and the current pushback was expected to be stronger.
The Negative Impact of False Virtue-Signaling:
Despite India's clear pushback, the State Department's spokesperson continued to comment on India's internal affairs, risking the escalation of tensions. By prioritizing electoral gains, the Biden administration has compromised the India-US relationship. It is crucial to recognize that India and the West have numerous areas for collaboration, but virtue-signaling on democracy is not one of them.
The shoot-and-scoot diplomacy employed by the United States towards India is counterproductive and damages the bilateral relationship. Understanding the historical context and domestic challenges faced by the Biden administration sheds light on the flawed approach taken by the US. It is essential for the United States to reevaluate its diplomatic strategy and engage with India on shared interests, rather than meddle in its internal affairs
No comments:
Post a Comment