Mushfiqul Fazal, State Department correspondent
The United States expects India to remain the world’s largest democracy and a vital U.S. partner, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Miller offered these sentiments at the April 15 daily press briefing while responding to inquiries from State Department correspondent Mushfiqul Fazal regarding the state of US-India relations.
Noting mounting concerns about developments in India, Mushfique raised questions about democratic backsliding in India and recent statements by the State Department regarding a perceived crackdown on the political opposition. Recent articles such as “U.S.-India Ties Remain Fundamentally Fragile” in Foreign Policy and “Undemocratic Rule of Modi’s India Is a Security Threat to South Asia” in the South Asian Journal have intensified scrutiny of India’s democratic credentials. Mushfique sought clarification on how the US plans to manage its relationship with India, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Miller responded by underscoring India’s significance as the world’s largest democracy and reaffirmed its critical role as a strategic partner to the United States.
He emphasized the expectation for India to uphold democratic principles in practice, stating, “India is the world’s largest democracy, it is an important strategic partner of the United States, and I expect that to remain true.”
The exchange highlights the complex dynamics between the two nations, amid recent diplomatic tensions and concerns over democratic governance in India. As the US seeks to broaden its relationship with India, the latter’s commitment to upholding democratic values will be paramount.
Ensuring genuine democracy in India, as the largest democracy globally, will not only bolster the US-India partnership but also reinforce the broader Indo-Pacific security architecture.
MR/
