Nothing is more dangerous for Indo-US relations than calling immigrants “devil”, a senior US diplomat has said. He said it is impossible to oppose immigration and advocate strong relations between India and the US.
US Under Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma made the remarks while speaking on India-US relations at the Hudson Institute.
He made this comment in response to the remarks made by far-right social media influencer Laura Loomer, who has become an ally of Donald Trump, against Kamala Harris. Loomer had attacked the US Vice President for being of Indian descent. Loomer played a major role in promoting the Republican campaign against immigration in the US.
Richard Verma, a former U.S. ambassador to India, said of the contributions made by Indian and South Asian people in different parts of the U.S., “It is hard to understand the idea that there is an economic, security and cultural relationship between the U.S. and India. How can anyone support immigration and oppose it at the same time? The two do not complement each other.
In the Republican campaign against Haitian immigrants who have settled in Ohio, Richard Verma said that these immigrants are portrayed as evil. In fact, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump told Kamala Harris in the first presidential debate that illegal immigrants from Haiti are stealing locals’ dogs and cats and eating their meat.
Richard Verma said: “Recently, in cyberspace and on television, we have seen the demonization of immigrants, including hateful and racist attacks against Indian Americans as a greater threat or harm to the United States.”
Verma said he wanted to make it clear that such language and attacks have no place in American society.
Russia, China worried about India-U.S. relations
Richard Verma said China and Russia are concerned about the strengthening of India-US relations. The diplomat said targeting Russia and China that India-US relations are “very different” from the way some of the US’s adversaries operate. He said India-US relations promote peace, resolve disputes peacefully and unite all sectors of society.
He said, “Frankly, why do you think China and Russia care so much about this partnership?” Because we bring a different way of life to the world, which is that everyone walks together, peacefully, resolving disputes peacefully, the rule of law, and listening to the voice of everyone in society.
The diplomat said this is the special nature of India-US relations and hence President Joe Biden sees the relationship as the best of this century.
What did President Biden say about India-China relations 20 years ago?
He recalled that about 20 years ago, when he stood in the Senate with then-Senator Biden and Chief of Staff Tony Blinken, Biden had said that if the United States and India became the closest friends and partners by 2020, the world would be relatively safer.
He further stated, “Not only because both countries have large militaries, not only because both countries have large economies, but because both countries have taken positions on issues that affect the daily lives of people around the world.”
What do American diplomats think of QUAD?
Replying to a question on ‘QUAD’, an organisation of four countries – India, the US, Japan and Australia, the diplomat said the aim of the organisation is to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity.
He said the Quad had made good announcements in technology and was focused on technology for the benefit of the people. He said the organization had developed a set of core principles and was collaborating on areas such as quantum computing and cybersecurity.
The Quad is seen as an organization created to counter China. However, the organization has always stayed away from military issues, and India has made a point of keeping military issues away from the Quad.
In response, the US diplomat said, “When I see the Quad working on energy transition, trade, a rules-based system, I don’t think it should be military in nature. Indians don’t support that. Honestly, I don’t think we need it. I think there are other organizations to deal with core military issues.”
Regarding Quad, Richard Verma said that the organization belongs to like-minded countries.
The four-party meeting will be held in the United States next week
The Quad meeting will take place next week, hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden, who is hosting the fourth in-person Quad leaders’ summit at his residence in Delaware.
India was originally scheduled to host the Quad talks this year, but now the Quad meeting will be held in India next year.
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