Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday emphasised that there is a need for India and the US to cooperate now to present to the world an alternative to China's "non-democratic production vision".
Rahul Gandhi expressed confidence in the bipartisan support the India-US relationship enjoys in both countries and said he sees "continuity" in the Congress government's approach to India-US ties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's. "I don't see ourselves changing direction very much from what he's doing". By the same token, he said he does not think Vice-President Kamala Harris' approach to the relationship is any different from her Republican rival for the White House former President Donald Trump's.
The Leader of the Opposition, who is on a three-day US visit, held a wide-ranging discussion at Washington DC's National Press Club. His trip started on Sunday in Dallas, Texas.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Congress leader met a group of US lawmakers at Capitol Hill that included Indian American members of the House of Representatives Ro Khanna and Shri Thanedar, firebrand progressive Congresswoman Ilhan Umar and senior Congressman Brad Sherman.
Asked about the state of India-US relations at the press club event, Rahul Gandhi said there were two aspects to it. Defence cooperation is one, and he expressed satisfaction with the status. "But then the second is what I touched on just now, which is (that) China has placed in front of us a vision for production and prosperity in a non-democratic environment," he said. "What is our response? Are we simply going to just sit there and say, okay, China can be the producer of the world and we're not going to do anything? Or do we have a response? What is our response to the Belt and Road, right?"
China's Belt and Road Initiative traps needy countries by funding developments through extremely predatory funding mechanisms that compromise their independence and sovereignty.
He added: "I don't see one. So to me, that's really where US and India cooperation needs to go. How can we provide a democratic vision of production, of manufacturing that actually works to the rest of the world? And I think both countries bring different things to the table, and I think there's a huge opportunity there."
The Congress leader also took questions on domestic politics and pushed back strongly against one about how he would like to see the US put pressure on Prime Minister Modi. He said, "The fight for democracy in India is an Indian fight. With all due respect, it (has) nothing to do with anybody else. It's our problem, and we'll take care of it."
Maoist leader Renuka with Rs 5 lakh bounty, killed in Chhattisgarh encounter
Renuka, also known as Banu, Chaitey, and Saraswati, a prominent member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, an entity of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), was killed in an encounter on Monday in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.
'Ram-Bam', BJP, Left playing communal politics: CM Mamata Banerjee's Eid message
In her message on the occasion of the Eid festival on Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the two main opposition parties in the state, namely BJP and CPI(M)-led Left Front as equally responsible for propagating communal tension in the state.
India helped over 100 nations: Tharoor lauds Modi govt's 'vaccine diplomacy' during Covid pandemic
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday heaped praise on Centre's 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative, launched during Covid-19 and termed it one of India's most "significant accomplishments."
Blessings of Devi Maa fill devotees with happiness, peace, new energy: PM Modi on Navratri 2nd day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended greetings to the nation on the second day of the Chaitra Navratri, which is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini.
Bangladesh demolishes 1971 Liberation War mural
Days after covering the mural of the Liberation War Memorial Mancha in the Lalmonirhat district in Bangladesh with cloth on the country's Independence Day, it was demolished at the instruction of the local authorities.
Eid-ul-Fitr festivities in full swing as people throng mosques, dargahs to offer Namaz
People across the country gathered at mosques on Monday to offer Namaz on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, celebrating the festival with joy and fervour.
Eid Mubarak; may this festival enhance spirit of hope, harmony, kindness: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the country on Monday on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr and prayed for the enhancement of the spirit of hope, harmony and kindness in the society.
Strengthens feeling of brotherhood: Prez Murmu extends greetings on Eid-ul-Fitr
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday extended her heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, emphasising that the festival strengthens the spirit of brotherhood and promotes compassion and charity.