So as you raise these broader issues of human rights and democracy.
What is your message to those, including some members of your own
party who believe that your administration is overlooking the targeting
of religious minorities and a crackdown on dissent in India?
Well, look, the prime minister and I had a good discussion about
democratic values. And, uh, There is a There is the that's the nature
of our relationship with straightforward with each other and
And we respect each other. One of the fundamental reasons that I
believe the U. S. China
Relationship is not in the space isn't with US Indian relationship.
Is that there is an overwhelming respect for each other because we're
both democracies. And, uh, it's a common Democratic Canada character,
both our countries that and our people, our diversity or culture
or open tolerant, robust debate. And I believe that we believe in
the dignity of every citizen. And it is in America's DNA, and I believe
in India's DNA. That the whole world whole world has a stake in Our
success. Both of us and maintaining our democracies
makes us appealing partners and enables us to expand democratic institutions
across around the world. And I believe this and I still believe this.
Mr Prime Minister. India has long prided itself as the world's largest
democracy. But there are many human rights groups who say that your
government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought
to silence its critics. Um as you stand here in the East Room of
the White House, where so many world leaders have made commitments
to protecting democracy, what steps are you and your government willing
to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in
your country and to uphold free speech?
I'm actually really surprised that people say so. And so people don't
say it. Indeed, India is a democracy.
And as President. Biden also mentioned India.
And America
both countries. Democracy is in our D. N a.
Deep democracy is our spirit. Democracy runs in our veins.
We live democracy. And our ancestors have actually put words
to this concept, and that is in the form of our constitution. Our
government
As taken the basic principles of democracy and on that basis, a constitution
is made and the entire country runs on that our Constitution and
our government. We have always proved that democracy can deliver.
And when I said deliver, this is regardless of caste, greed, religion,
gender, There's absolutely no space for discrimination. And when
you talk of democracy
If
there are no human values, and there is no humanity.
There are no human rights, then it's not a democracy, And that is
why when you say democracy and you accept democracy, and when we
lived democracy, then there is absolutely no space for discrimination.
And that is why India believes in moving ahead with everybody which
trust and with everybody's efforts, these our our foundation principles
which are the basis of how we Operate, how we live our lives in in
India. The benefits that are provided by the government is accessible
to all whoever dissolves those benefits is available to everybody.
And that is why in India's democratic values there is absolutely
no discrimination neither on basis of caste, creed or age or Any
kind of geographic location.