The quest for perfect democracy applies to the US as much as it does to India: Foreign minister Jaishankar

This template was announced by Jaishankar at the joint presser following his dialogue with Blinken. “The quest for perfect democracy applies to the US as much as it does on India. We had a good conversation [on this]. There is a moral obligation to right historical wrongs and our policies fall in that category. Don’t equate freedoms with non-governance or lack of governance,” Jaishankar suggested.

Earlier in response to a query on challenges to democracy in India, Blinken noted that democratic values and free citizenry define India. Blinken said the US views India through the prism of common democratic values and that there are challenges that can be ‘ugly’ that need to be dealt with through “corrective mechanisms.”

“Our shared values and democratic traditions were part of our conversation. The relationship is so strong because it is a relationship between two democracies. Americans admire Indians’ commitment to rights, democracy and pluralism. Indian democracy is powered by its freethinking citizens. I approach this with humility. US has challenges too. The search is for a more perfect union, which means we are not perfect. Sometimes, the challenges can be painful, even ugly,” said Blinken.

Blinken pointed at the free press and independent judiciary as part of the “corrective mechanism” that can repair challenges to democracy.