Raymond Vickery, a former senior US official based in Colombia, commented on Rahul Gandhi’s recent call for Indian leaders to prioritize national values and interests. In an interview with IANS, Vickery emphasized that support for Indian values among politicians in the US is currently fragmented. He expressed hope that leaders from all political backgrounds in India would advocate for these values and prioritize the nation’s interests. “In the past, both Republicans and Democrats in the US united in promoting our values globally. That unity seems to have diminished in both the US and India, which is unfortunate,” he remarked. Vickery also referenced Gandhi’s remarks urging political leaders to adopt a broader perspective concerning national interests.
He expressed a desire to see this comprehensive viewpoint articulated by all parties, regardless of their political status. In a virtual address to students at EIA University in Envigado, Colombia, Gandhi highlighted India’s strength in its diversity, encompassing various religions, languages, and cultural traditions, asserting that democracy is the only system capable of embracing this diversity. He further noted that India’s democratic framework is presently facing significant challenges, stating, “India is a decentralized and complex nation, distinct from China. Authoritarianism cannot succeed here; if leaders oppose the will of the people, they will ultimately fail.”