Kamala Harris gently presses Indian PM Narendra Modi on human rights during US meeting
- The US vice-president cited her Indian heritage as she said it was imperative to defend democratic principles and institutions
- Harris also stressed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Modi will later meet President Joe Biden and also take part in a Quad meeting
Harris, during public remarks at her ceremonial office before the closed-door session, told Modi that as democracies around the world are under threat “it is imperative that we defend democratic principles and institutions within our respective countries”.
“I know from personal experience and from my family of the commitment of the Indian people to democracy,” she said, “and the work that needs to be done [so that] we can begin to imagine, and then actually achieve, our vision for democratic principles and institutions.”
The remarks marked a subtle change from the Trump administration’s unquestioned fidelity to the populist Modi, who has presided over an increase in religious polarisation in his country, with more laws targeting religious minorities, including its large Muslim population, as well as attacks on non-Hindus.
“The oldest democracy and the largest democracy … we are indeed natural partners, we have similar values,” Modi said.
He invited Harris to visit his country, telling her that Indians “are waiting to welcome you” and calling her “the source of inspiration for so many people across the world”. Harris, who visited Southeast Asia last month, did not immediately commit to a trip.
Harris stressed the importance of the Indo-Pacific at a time when the United States is trying to solidify its pivot toward Asia and strengthen ties with allies to take on China’s growing military and financial influence in the region.
Quad leaders are seen to plan several initiatives for confronting China
“The United States, like India, feels very strongly about the pride of being a member of the Indo-Pacific, but also the fragility and importance … of those relationships, including maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Harris told Modi during the meeting.
The public discussion of about 15 minutes attracted more attention, including a large press contingent from India, than typical meetings between heads of state and vice-presidents. Harris’ mother was born in India, and Indian Americans are one of the fastest growing groups in the United States, with a population of more than 4 million.
Harris to meet Modi in ‘coming of age’ moment for Indian diaspora
Modi on Thursday also met the chief executives of Qualcomm, Blackstone, Adobe, First Solar and General Atomics, sources said.
Modi, former chief minister of Gujarat before his 2014 national election win, was banned from travelling to the United States for a nearly a decade, following the massacre of 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, in the state in 2002.
Additional reporting by Reuters
