On October 8th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Indian National Congress of conspiring internationally to undermine India’s economy and democracy. While addressing party workers at the BJP headquarters on the same day, PM Modi expressed gratitude to the people of Haryana. He also noted that the Haryana voters had acted decisively in rejecting falsehoods and securing the triumph of truth, development, and good governance. As the BJP celebrated its third consecutive victory in the state, the Prime Minister emphasized that the successful conduct of peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir represented a victory for India’s Constitution and democracy.
Following this, Prime Minister Modi launched a pointed critique of Congress. and said, “For some time now, many conspiracies are being hatched against India. Many conspiracies are being hatched to weaken India’s democracy and social fabric. International conspiracies are being hatched. National parties like Congress and their allies are involved in this game. Today Haryana has given a befitting reply to every such conspiracy. Every Indian will have to take a pledge that we will not let any such conspiracy succeed. India will not deviate from the path of development.”
PM Modi further said, “Whether it is the Election Commission of the country, the police, the judiciary, the Congress wants to tarnish every institution. You will remember the kind of ruckus they created before the results of the Lok Sabha elections. During the elections too, these people and their urban Naxalite allies had gone to the Supreme Court to tarnish the image of the Election Commission. Today, also they have done the same. Congress has tried to mislead the people of the country. Congress always tries to question the impartiality of our institutions, tries to tarnish their reputation. This has been the habit of Congress. Congress has been doing such things shamelessly.”
The development gained prominence in the backdrop that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi faced massive backlash for his remarks during his foreign visits. While claiming that things have worsen in India, he called for Western intervention in India’s internal affairs, a remark which has garnered sharp criticism from all corners for calling foreign intervention and meddling in India’s internal affairs.
US Diplomats meeting Opposition Leaders
In recent months, there has been a noticeable trend of opposition leaders engaging with US diplomats. On September 3rd, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence. Kharge shared several pictures with Garcetti on Twitter, commenting:
India and the United States enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas of human endeavour, driven by shared democratic values.
Delighted to meet Ambassador of the US to India, HE Mr. Eric Garcetti, Minister-Counselor of Political Affairs, Mr.… pic.twitter.com/QRnW5gdXWs
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 3, 2024
Before this, US diplomats engaged with leaders of the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir in anticipation of the upcoming Assembly elections. Notably, Minister-Counsellor for Political Affairs Graham Mayer and First Secretary Gary Applegarth met with National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah to discuss matters related to the elections.
Received US diplomats at Gupkar who called on National Conference Vice President @OmarAbdullah. The delegation included Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Graham Mayer, First Secretary Gary Applegarth, and Political Counselor Abhiram.
Member of Parliament and senior leader… pic.twitter.com/Kzu4iUoS5W
— Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) August 26, 2024
Additionally, Jennifer Larson, the US Consul General overseeing the American mission in Hyderabad, met with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and the Chief Minister of Telangana in early August.
Thank you, Member of Parliament and leader of AlMIM @asadowaisi for your kind hospitality and for sharing your informed and important views on a range of shared issues and concerns. I look forward to continuing our discussions! #USIndiaFWD pic.twitter.com/WsDTVzKI0h
— Consul General Jennifer Larson (@USCGHyderabad) August 12, 2024
The ongoing meetings between Indian opposition leaders and US diplomats have raised alarm over potential US interference in Indian democracy, a concern that PM Modi addressed in his speech.
It is pertinent to note that the US administration is notorious for meddling in the internal affairs of other countries to assert its hegemony, especially after the fall of the USSR. Claiming to champion the cause of democracy, it passes sermons to nation that follow independent and sovereign foreign policy and domestic policies. For this it has been using notorious agencies like USCIRF to launch smear campaign against their ‘country of interest’.
Recently, the US has been accused of pulling a regime change operation in Bangladesh to place its puppet, Md Yunus as the head of the govt. The anarchy situation in Bangladesh has resulted in the religious persecution of Hindus..
Against this backdrop, PM Modi’s remark alarming about the collusion between the opposition parties and foreign powers is a cause for concern for the country. India, the world’s largest and oldest democracy, should fend off efforts to undermine its democratic institutions and democratic subversion.
