“Politics in the United States right now is polarised and divided and, in many countries, we can see the same kind of things unfold. In many countries the divisions are becoming extreme, and this is not good for the countries.”
— Rangaswamy
India and the United States should stay away from each other’s domestic politics, according to M R Rangaswamy, founder of Indiaspora, an organisation of many globally influential figures with Indian heritage, reported The Hindu.
The Hindu talked with Rangaswamy on the sidelines of Indiaspora Global Forum, a recent three-day event in Gurugram. Rangaswamy, well known as ‘M.R.’ by his worldwide network of friends, said the Indian diaspora was a “well-wisher” of India and could play a role in resolving “major” issues in India’s relation with leading western powers like the United States.
“Diaspora have to be seen as something separate from India. We are not part of India. We are well wishers of India.”
— Rangaswamy.
“Politics in the United States right now is polarised and divided and, in many countries, we can see the same kind of things unfold. In many countries the divisions are becoming extreme, and this is not good for the countries,” said Rangaswamy. He pointed out that “India and the United States should stay out of each other’s politics”.
Rangaswamy said it was not possible to predict the shape of future politics in the United States and that differences needed to be worked out through quiet consultation. He referred to the recent exemption from CAATSA given to India despite New Delhi’s purchase of S400 missiles from Russia as a sign of mature India-US ties.
In response to a question on the American comments on the alleged “democratic backslide” in India and the deepening of India-Russia energy relations in the backdrop of American opposition to the Russian campaign against Ukraine, Rangaswamy said that differences within the India-US bilateral ties were expected to be there but the focus at the highest levels in both countries was on: “Let us sit down and talk, as opposed to let’s tweet.”
Rangaswamy pointed out that the “best” phase of the Indian diaspora was yet to emerge and that the globally spread community had proved that it was aspiring for greater political power. “With over 200 leaders across 25 countries who hold some kind of office — Ministers, members of Parliament, so on — it is the beginning of something bigger, because as these countries and politicians mature they will go for higher positions,” said Rangaswamy referring to the impact that the emergence of US Vice President Kamala Harris and UK PM candidate Rushi Sunak had on the profile of the Indian diaspora in the western democracies. “The diaspora leaders worked hard, did well and are going even higher,” said Rangaswamy.
MR was quick to caution that the Indian diaspora should not be treated as an “extension” of the Indian State. “Diaspora have to be seen as something separate from India. We are not part of India. We are well wishers of India,” said Rangaswamy.
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