Modi treats India's democracy and constitution as Trump treated ours in the US.
Both have a close and unhealthy relationship with Putin
India, friend or foe?
Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, December 6, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
I have followed strategic activities for years. One focus is the Indo-Pacific. Today, reading the following article from Reuters, triggered me to toss out the BS flag, at the statement by India’s Finance Minister.
The REUTERS piece is at this link: "India says it is importing Russian oil to manage inflation"
Okay, someone has to say these things out loud, so... I will.
Despite the US and other allies and partners, pouring billions into India since 1947, Modi's India is backing fascist Putin and ignoring the pro-Ukraine crowd for Modi's own selfish needs. This article from Reuters, is indicative of the global political pressure being applied to Modi and his response. This excuse making is pure, unadulterated BS. Were there no global pressure, Modi would continue his arrogant position that no one matters... but him.
Modi came to power as a populist, riding a wave of radical Hinduism called Hindutva. It's the Indian version of Christo nationalism that Americans are all too aware of during, the Trump administration and beyond. I want to be very clear, principled Hindus don't accept this but have little to no power over the BJP, Modi's political party. The same applies to “principled conservatives” in the US.
The majority of Indians, regardless of class, caste, religion, ethnicity or otherwise feel about Modi, the way the majority of Americans feel about Trump. That he is not patriotic, is undermining the India’s constitution (yes, I've read it) and is wielding xenophobia, brutally against non-Hindus.
Modi uses the US and his QUAD partners to help him with his chief regional rival, China but offers very little in return. In fact, he has allied himself with both Xi and Putin by refusing to condemn the genocidal war crimes committed by Putin in Ukraine, while simultaneously increasing commerce with Russia and assisting Putin with evading sanctions.
I cannot see pouring more money, equipment and other resources into Modi's version of India until he behaves in line with the morality that supports human rights and stops abusing all Indians who are not aligned with his radical religious beliefs. He is, in all ways, enabling fascism.
At the end of the day, Modi needs the QUAD, ASEAN, the UN and NATO more than we need him. In current form, Modi's India is a weight around the neck of the moral world.
I wish to reiterate that I value and support the remarkable democracy that most Indians cherish. They should be rightfully proud of their nation since 1947. Equally, the world's largest democracy should be ashamed of how Modi is doing all possible, to undermine that democracy, the rights of its citizens and its constitution.
National Security Council, The White House U.S. Department of State Office of the Director of National Intelligence Office of the Secretary of Defense United States Department of Defense United Nations NATO NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) Organización de los Estados Americanos Council of the European Union African Union The ASEAN Secretariat Ministry of External Affairs, India The Times Of India Ministry of Defence of India US Congress The Associated Press Reuters The Washington Post The New York Times The Wall Street Journal Chicago Tribune Media Group Los Angeles Times
