India, US - Interests and values
India, US - Interests and values
The Western media has taken a cynical view of improvement in the Indo-US relations. Their main point is that US and India share interests but not values. They are right but not in the way they think.
As the Modi-Biden meeting (starting June 20), approaches, many in the Western media have started beating to a new rhythm. Their main point is that US and India share interests but not values. They are right but not in the way they think. Let me explain.
What are the US values?
There are various interpretations of US values but we can safely say the USA stands for the following values relevant to our discussion:
Individualism
Privacy
Equality
Freedom and Liberty
Democracy
Competition
Free Enterprise Capitalism
Informality
The Future, Change, and Progress
Achievement, Action, Work, and Materialism
Directness and Assertiveness
Time
A student of current affairs can spot that almost every single one of these values is under attack in the US.
Take individualism for example. It has been attacked by diverse set of policies that make it impossible for middle Americans to rebuild their lives and wealth. I wrote about it in this article titled Hollowing out of middle America (lined below).
Let us not talk about privacy, equality or freedom of speech, etc. The difficulty the US is facing in conducting elections is concerning. The Indictment of a Former President is worrisome. The inability to deal with insider trading by Congressmen does not bode well for the Beacon of Freedom. It is clear that certain groups in power are holding certain reforms hostage in favour of personal gain. When such groups pass 2300-page laws in a week, and approve bailouts that socialise losses and privatise profits we are not sure any of the American values are indeed upheld.
Indian values are different
Indians believe in Family and a supportive state (but not totally socialist) among others. However, democracy and capitalism are at the heart of the Indian value system.
Nehruvian politicians tried to impose socialist values that did not fit well with Indian core values. The result left the world confused as to what are India’s core values. Under Modi, India has started rearticulating its values for the rest of the world.
The Indian value system is based on a duty-based paradigm called Dharma. It is a complicated concept which Indians understand intuitively. I have explained it here:
US and India do not share values because the US is losing its own
As India discovers its voice on the global stage and starts articulating the Indian values and complexities of its Dharma, the US is facing severe challenges defending its own values on its own soil.
I therefore agree with the statement that US and Indian interests do match but our values do not. They should. But they don’t. And it is not India that is the problem. The compass of our values does not align because the US compass is broken.
Make no mistake - the US is under attack. The sooner it realises the better. We need real Americans to stand up and be the beacon of freedom and liberty that had been for 200 years. I have hope. If any country can reinvigorate itself, it is America.
References:
Western media references (not going to dignify them with a link)
The Economist June 17th 2023, America’s new best friend: Why India is indispensable
Foreign Affairs June 16th 2023, India as It Is, Washington and New Delhi Share Interests, Not Values
American values
https://newcriterion.com/issues/2023/6/the-diversity-myth
Rahul -- Have you seen this?