Also, there is no difference between MAGA's Christian Nationalism and the BJP's Hindutva. Both are cruel, oligarchical, oppression, under the color of religion.
And to quote Henry John Temple, Lord Palmerston: "We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." It is in the strategic interests of the United States to pursue improved relations with India even if to some Narendra Modi may be a bit unsavory. To quote another great Democrat President, FDR, in discussing Nicaragua's Anastasio Somoza: “Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.”
My friend, I stated in the article that an improved relationship is desirable, but we need guarantees of improved democracy just as Modi has certain demands as well.
Modi is not “a bit unsavory.” A look at his career shows him as a dishonest and thuggish racist, wielding power brutally.
During the Cold War, as one example, we partnered with several thugs. Today’s world is not bilateral and so, if we are a global leader, then we must also lead towards the humanity of our national principles.
I would suggest the relationship between India and the US has long been in need of a reset if not a complete overhaul particularly since with a population of 1.43 billion people India is one of the few functioning democracies in a part of the world not known for democratic polities. However, just because Narendra Modi does not fit the stereotype of the Oxford-educated European Parliamentarian should not be used as a straw man argument to derail a long overdue restructuring of the bi-lateral relationship between Washington and Delhi. Or to quote another famous Texan, LBJ, "It's probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in."
Doc, I believe you missed one of the primary points of this article, that Modi is not running a functioning democracy and as that I have read the Indian Constitution, it’s clear that he is tearing down Indian democracy. He’s eroding several constitutional rights, if not outright ignoring them and strategically, has far more common interests with the world’s most serious/ ruthless threats.
We must think bigger and expect more from unproven allies and partners.
Global improvement in all areas identified in our NSS, has not only been stymied but the decade plus of global fascism, has eroded at least a decade of progress.
All valid points and one thing for certain is that we are long overdue to build integrity based relationships with our neighbors in the Americas. No one wants to become a tributary state to China.
And to quote Henry John Temple, Lord Palmerston: "We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." It is in the strategic interests of the United States to pursue improved relations with India even if to some Narendra Modi may be a bit unsavory. To quote another great Democrat President, FDR, in discussing Nicaragua's Anastasio Somoza: “Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.”
My friend, I stated in the article that an improved relationship is desirable, but we need guarantees of improved democracy just as Modi has certain demands as well.
Modi is not “a bit unsavory.” A look at his career shows him as a dishonest and thuggish racist, wielding power brutally.
During the Cold War, as one example, we partnered with several thugs. Today’s world is not bilateral and so, if we are a global leader, then we must also lead towards the humanity of our national principles.
Paul,
I would suggest the relationship between India and the US has long been in need of a reset if not a complete overhaul particularly since with a population of 1.43 billion people India is one of the few functioning democracies in a part of the world not known for democratic polities. However, just because Narendra Modi does not fit the stereotype of the Oxford-educated European Parliamentarian should not be used as a straw man argument to derail a long overdue restructuring of the bi-lateral relationship between Washington and Delhi. Or to quote another famous Texan, LBJ, "It's probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in."
Doc, I believe you missed one of the primary points of this article, that Modi is not running a functioning democracy and as that I have read the Indian Constitution, it’s clear that he is tearing down Indian democracy. He’s eroding several constitutional rights, if not outright ignoring them and strategically, has far more common interests with the world’s most serious/ ruthless threats.
We must think bigger and expect more from unproven allies and partners.
Global improvement in all areas identified in our NSS, has not only been stymied but the decade plus of global fascism, has eroded at least a decade of progress.
All valid points and one thing for certain is that we are long overdue to build integrity based relationships with our neighbors in the Americas. No one wants to become a tributary state to China.