AS SOUTH Block watched the unprecedented scenes of chaos in Washington DC, with pro-Trump supporters storming the US Capitol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday joined a refrain of world leaders in expressing concern over the flip of occasions and mentioned that “orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue”.
“Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests,” Modi posted on Twitter.
Distressed to see information about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceable switch of energy should proceed. The democratic course of can’t be allowed to be subverted by means of illegal protests.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 7, 2021
These remarks come amid rising disquiet in New Delhi over the way through which Trump responded to his electoral defeat and his refusal to concede the elections. Sources mentioned there was appreciable concern on the highest ranges within the Government over the “instability” and “unpredictability” within the US because the November elections.
Besides, President-elect Joe Biden is a recognized commodity for India’s America palms — External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Indian ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu have handled him in his earlier roles.
On November 17, as quickly because it turned clear that Trump was dropping the elections, Modi was among the many world leaders to congratulate Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their victory.
“Spoke to US President-elect @JoeBiden on phone to congratulate him. We reiterated our firm commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed our shared priorities and concerns – Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region,” Modi had posted on Twitter.
“I also conveyed warm congratulations for VP-elect @KamalaHarris. Her success is a matter of great pride and inspiration for members of the vibrant Indian-American community, who are a tremendous source of strength for Indo-US relations,” he had posted.
Until then, India had engaged proactively with the Trump administration over the previous 4 years — Trump was the important thing visitor at two public occasions, in Houston in September 2019 and in Ahmedabad in February 2020.
At the Howdy Modi occasion in Houston, the Prime Minister, who has referred to Trump as a “true friend of India”, had famously remarked: “Abhi Baar Trump Sarkar”.
Trump, too, has been supportive of India, together with on Pakistan-backed cross-border terror after the Pulwama assault and the Balakot air strikes. He additionally avoided commenting on India’s strikes in Kashmir, together with the revocation of Article 370, and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
But with the incoming Democratic administration all set to take cost later this month, Thursday’s assertion mirrored New Delhi’s recalibration whilst main US allies just like the UK, France, Germany, Australia, EU condemned the Capitol violence.
NATO secretary basic Jens Stoltenberg, who was among the many first to react, mentioned: “Shocking scenes in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the storming of the Congress as “disgraceful”. “The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power,” he mentioned.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron stood in entrance of the French and US flags to state that what occurred in Washington DC was “not America”. He additionally expressed perception within the “strength of American democracy”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned the violence “should never succeed in overruling the will of the people”. He mentioned: “Democracy in the US must be upheld — and it will be”.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas mentioned Trump and his supporters “should finally accept the decision of the American voters and stop trampling democracy”.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, one other shut ally of the US, condemned the “acts of violence and looked forward to a peaceful transfer of government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition”.
European Union president Ursula von der Leyen mentioned peaceable transition of energy was on the core of democracy. “Joe Biden won the election. I look forward to working with him as the next President of the USA,” she tweeted. The head of EU’s international affairs, Josep F Borrell, described the violence as “an unseen assault on US democracy, its institutions and the rule of law”.
