Indian American Lawmakers Say It Won't Work to Lecture India on Human Rights

Photo-PTI

In Washington, a group of Indian American lawmakers reiterated their commitment to addressing human rights issues in India with its leadership. However, they emphasized that lecturing India on these issues would be ineffective, advocating instead for a constructive dialogue. During the "Desi Decides" Summit of Indian American Impact, Congressman Ro Khanna, along with Shri Thanedar, Pramila Jayapal, and Dr. Ami Bera, discussed their approach to this sensitive topic.

Congressman Ro Khanna, co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus, underscored the historical context of India's resistance to being lectured by foreign powers due to its colonial past. "India was colonized for over 100 years. So, when we're having a conversation about human rights, and you're having a conversation with (External Affairs Minister S) Jai Shankar or someone else, you have to understand that just coming in from a perspective of lecturing India. When they say that we've had colonial powers lecture us for hundreds of years, it is not going to be productive," Khanna said. He suggested that a more effective approach would be to engage in a dialogue that acknowledges the imperfections in both democracies and seeks mutual progress in human rights and democratic values.

Dr. Ami Bera supported Khanna's perspective, stressing the importance of India's secular identity and expressing concerns about the erosion of democratic values. "I've said the same to the (Indian) foreign minister. If India loses its secular nation, it changes who she is as a country and how the rest of the world views it," Bera stated. He drew a parallel with the United States, noting that despite political turbulence, the country's democratic institutions and values, such as freedom of the press and a vibrant opposition, remain strong.

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Pramila Jayapal echoed these sentiments, adding that it is essential to critique both the United States' and India's imperfections. "The only thing I would add is that I think we have to be able to critique our own country's imperfections and any other country's imperfections. That's actually our job in Congress. We shouldn't lecture, I agree with Roe (Khanna). But we do have to think about all of the United States' interests. That is economic, for sure. India is an important partner for us. It's an important partner because of other regional dynamics as well and global dynamics," Jayapal said. She emphasized the need to balance economic and strategic interests with the promotion of shared democratic values and human rights.

Jayapal also highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as freedom of religion and freedom of the press in India, drawing a parallel with how the U.S. critiques other countries, including China, for their human rights abuses. "Just like we criticize the Chinese government for the treatment of Uyghurs or any other country in the world, we have to be able to also look at what's happening in India and call attention to it," she said. Despite facing criticism for her stance, Jayapal remained steadfast in her commitment to these values, asserting that raising legitimate concerns is crucial for fostering a more perfect union in both the United States and its global partnerships.

Shri Thanedar, meanwhile, emphasized the strategic importance of a strong US-India relationship in countering China's aggression. "We need a strong US-India relationship. India historically has been playing both sides, Russia and US. But it's time for India to commit to a strong friendship with the United States, and that's something that I want to work on. The United States has to recognize India's power, its economic power, and India remains the best solution to counteract China's aggression," Thanedar stated.

The panel discussion, moderated by ABC national correspondent Zohreen Shah, delved into various aspects of India's relationship with the Muslim community and broader human rights concerns. The lawmakers collectively highlighted the need for a balanced approach that fosters dialogue, mutual respect, and constructive criticism, rather than one-sided lectures, to advance human rights and democratic values in India.

This discussion comes at a time when India's human rights record is under scrutiny, and the lawmakers' comments reflect a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in international diplomacy and human rights advocacy. Their call for a conversation rather than a lecture underscores the importance of respectful and collaborative engagement in addressing global human rights issues.