Former US Official Urges Indian Leaders to Prioritize National Values Following Rahul Gandhi's Democracy Concerns

Rahul Gandhi characterized India as a complex and decentralized nation during his remarks in Colombia.

Washington:

Raymond Vickery, who previously served as a senior US government official, has responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's statements in Colombia claiming democracy is under siege in India. Vickery emphasized that Indian leaders across all party lines should advocate for Indian values and national interests.

Speaking with IANS, Vickery observed that the bipartisan approach of upholding common values has deteriorated both in the United States and India.

"I would prefer that Indian leaders from both sides of the political spectrum speak in support of Indian values and interests. We attempted to present United States values internationally as leaders of the free world. This was a bipartisan effort involving both Republicans and Democrats, but that unity has collapsed in the United States, and I fear it's disintegrating in India as well," he stated.

Vickery suggested that all political leaders should maintain a broader perspective regarding national priorities.

"It would be tremendously beneficial to have that broader outlook expressed universally, and I hope India would advance in that regard, ensuring that whether in opposition or government, this would be the fundamental orientation," he remarked.

On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi delivered a pointed criticism of the Narendra Modi government, cautioning that the greatest challenge confronting India today is a systematic assault on its democratic foundations.

During an interaction with students at EIA University in Colombia's Envigado, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha told the audience that India's strength derives from its diversity—its numerous religions, languages, and traditions—and that democracy represents the only system capable of accommodating these various voices.

However, he asserted that this democratic system is currently under threat.

Gandhi portrayed India as a complex and decentralized country, fundamentally distinct from China's centralized and uniform structure. He contended that India's inherent design cannot sustain authoritarianism and that attempts to suppress its population would ultimately prove unsuccessful.

"India is a conversation between all its people," he stated, emphasizing that the democratic framework is essential for allowing different traditions and ideas to flourish.