The White House on Monday dismissed concerns about the health of democracy in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying India is a vibrant democracy and anyone who happens to travel to Delhi can see that for themselves.
John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council at the White House, also emphasized that the US administration has never shied away from “expressing concerns that we might have with anyone in the world.”
“You can do it with friends; that’s what you should do with friends,” the White House official said.
PM Modi will be on a state visit to the US later this month. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Modi for an official state visit, which will include a state dinner, on June 22, 2023.
When asked about the reason for the invitation to the state dinner, Kirby emphasized that India is a strong partner of the United States on many levels.
“You saw that at Shangri-La, Secretary (of Defense, Lloyd) Austin announced some additional defense cooperation that we will now pursue with India. Of course, there is an awful lot of economic trade between our two countries. India is a member of the Pacific Quad and a key friend and a partner with regard to Indo-Pacific security,” he said.
“I could go on and on and on. There are countless reasons why India certainly matters, not just bilaterally between our two nations, but multilaterally on many levels. And the president is very much looking forward to having Prime Minister Modi here.” talk about all those issues and move forward and deepen this partnership and friendship,” added Kirby.
When pressed by a reporter about whether the Biden administration was “at all concerned about the health of democracy in India,” Kirby replied, “India is a vibrant democracy. Anyone who, you know, happens to go to New Delhi can see this for themselves. And I would certainly expect the strength and health of democratic institutions to be part of the discussion.”
“And look, we never shirk and you can do it with friends; you should do it with friends to whom you will never shy away from expressing concerns that we might have with anyone in the world. But this visit is really about progressing what is now, and we hope for a deeper, stronger partnership and friendship in the future.”
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