No one knows exactly for sure an election outcome until the ballots are counted. At least that is what should be in what is called democracy. It is what India magnificently does, given the many hundreds of millions of voters that are processed successfully in national and other elections and assisted by its independent Electoral Commission. So far, so good.
But there are worrisome outside corrupt forces that have been more than seeping in trying to undermine India’s generally thriving democracy. It means not only the authorities need to be vigilant but so should voters. The Narendra Modi-led government intends to keep doing so and protect “Made in India” democracy and popular interests. It is vital to all Indians’ well- being that it be continued.
So let us look at the specifics of this. Does the overall, or enough of US-led western governance and certain special interests, there accept the key positive principles of democracy that the Modi government, for instance is adhering to? That is sufficiently when a government like India stands up for its own country’s sovereignty and enlightened self-interest does not parallel (enough) major Western demands. In other words democracy, yes when it suits the major interests of Washington, London Brussels and New York big money, power and geopolitics.
But if such a country legitimately protecting itself goes up particularly against western hawks’ views for maintaining their western hegemony, democracy becomes an inconvenient idea to be given exception? All ruthless and authoritarian type means to rid the leadership of that country by the “liberal democratic” West gets entertained in situation rooms and and other subterranean places? In fact, some commentators argue that western exceptionalism is all about too often, not the US-led West proudly standing consistently for an overly “missionary” zeal to push democracy.
A zealousness that by itself has its problems, but might be seen at least as principled, if not realistic and overly interfering, too with sovereign states. One, that the Indian foreign minister, Dr S.Jaishankar warns about where excess foreign interference leads to. That is so frequently to a “dead end” and sometimes untold misery for common people.
Just bringing up these examples of often despicable interference is just drum beating up nationalism? Unfortunately, this author wishes it was and that he could refer to America and the West it leads, as well sensitive, overall to the Modi government and main street Indians’ interests fairly, overall. But let us look further to support legitimate worries about unnecessary meddling. In 2014, the former Under Secretary of State (no small potatoes) of the powerful United States State Department, Victoria Nuland expressed who she (US?) had “decided” to lead a post coup toppled Ukrainian government.
And that the US essentially deserved to make such a call given the billions of dollars (of bribes?) they had invested in the country. There are many more so-called liberal democracy “crusades” under the guise of democracy building. The US alliance with Afghani oligarchs (warlords) to build democracy in that country certainly did not work out. And not to forget Iraq or Syria. Then there are allegations by President Erdogan of Turkey accusing US supported forces trying to have his democratically-elected government overthrown and even attempts to assassinate him. One can argue that calculated, brutal or aggressive over interference in sovereign states to serve US interests is largely ineffectual or disastrous. Or also by naive romantic ideas to make sovereign governments better, even though “soft” pushy power but still over interference, the US-led West by and large should learn a few lessons if global insanity is not to prevail.
That is stay away from overly interfering in other countries main internal affairs, largely. That it is not good enough for the US ambassador to India to proudly and recently confess that America is full of flaws and implies it welcomes outside criticisms. What on supporting a change in the Biden administration strongly and rhetorically directly or even indirectly by New Delhi including its human rights specialists talking frequently about American minority rights and past violent attacks such as in Waco Texas on a religious group? That Washington would be quite open to a social media-led campaign by Indians to have the current Democrat US government ousted through making so many references to its flaws, like leaving India’s near neighbour Afghanistan in chaos and led by islamists. Maybe led by Delhi based media or connected NGOs to do a “snow job” on Washington persistently? What is good for the goose is good for the gander? No, India will not play that game of overly interfering and being overly critical with sovereign states. It includes its sensible, articulate and realistic foreign minister, Dr Jaishankar knowing where such an approach would be going – not well at all in bilaterals.
Yet, the net sum of even western government reports or government owned or subsidized news networks is to push a barrage of anti-Modi invective, or at least over-the-top criticism of the Prime Minister including during election season.That is by the way, not only by distortions that worryingly look like foreign interference to the benefit of special interests, but to the enthusiasm of the Opposition. One that is latching on to often ridiculous foreign-based besmirching of Mr. Modi and the BJP he leads. Democracy deserves better than this and the Modi government rest assured will promote democracy, even if too much of the Washington-led West has lost its bearings, if not its mind on what freedom and respect of other cultures and nations are all about.
Peter Dash is a former professor and past Associate at Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs. He has organized major international conferences and seminars, including with ambassadors from the Global South and beyond.