New Delhi, Oct 3: Former senior US official Raymond Vickery has responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks in Colombia, stating that Indian leaders, irrespective of party affiliations, should champion Indian values and interests.
In an interview with IANS, Vickery expressed concern over the breakdown of bipartisan support for core national values, noting that the trend has affected both the United States and India. “I would rather [hope] Indian leaders on both sides of the political divide speak out in favour of Indian values and including those in the interests of India… That has broken down in the United States, and I’m afraid it’s breaking down in India as well,” he said.
Vickery also advised political leaders to adopt a broader perspective on national priorities. “It would be very helpful if you can have that broader outlook that’s expressed across the board… whether you’re in the opposition or in government,” he added.
Gandhi, addressing students at EIA University in Colombia, had criticised the Narendra Modi government, warning that India’s democratic framework is under siege. He highlighted India’s diversity of religions, languages, and traditions as the nation’s strength and stressed that its decentralised design cannot accommodate authoritarianism.
“India is a conversation between all its people,” Gandhi said, underlining the importance of democracy in preserving different traditions and ideas.