Rahul Gandhi pointed to the potential for India and the United States to collaborate in creating a / Youtube/Rahul Gandhi, Screengrab

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in India's parliament while addressing the National Press Club during his three-day visit to the United States pointed to the potential for India and the United States to collaborate in creating a "democratic vision of production" that contrasts with China's non-democratic model. 

"The real question for the 21st century is: Can the US and India provide a vision for production in a democratic, free society? I think there's a huge opportunity there," he stated. 

This marks his second appearance at the Press Club, following his previous address in June 2023. In a Q&A session with Poonam Sharma, the secretary of the National Press Club, Gandhi discussed his political journey, the state of Indian democracy, and his vision for India's future.

A journey of transformation in Indian politics

When asked about the noticeable shift in public perception of him, from a "reluctant politician" to a confident leader, Gandhi rejected the notion of a transformation, instead describing it as a journey. He remarked, "Politics in India changed very dramatically in 2014. We entered a phase of politics that we haven't seen before—aggressive, attacking the foundations of our democratic structure. And so it's a tough fight. It's been a good fight."

Reflecting on his 4,000-kilometer Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi said, "before 2014, if you had told me I would walk across India from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, I would have laughed. But that was the only way left for the opposition in our country." 

He emphasized the need to connect directly with the people in the face of media suppression and institutional control by the ruling party.

Ideological battle for India's future

Gandhi also elaborated on the ideological conflict between the Congress Party and its allies, and the BJP-RSS alliance. "There is an ideological war taking place in India—two completely different visions of the country," he said. "We believe in a plural vision, where everyone has the right to thrive, while the other side presents a much harsher, centralizing vision."

He stressed the importance of defending India's democratic institutions and the rights of marginalized communities, stating that his role is to "become the voice of as many people as you can," by deeply understanding the issues at the grassroots level.

Caste representation and governance

On the issue of representation in governance, Gandhi highlighted the lack of participation from lower castes, Dalits, and tribal communities in India's power structures. "90 percent of India is either tribal, lower caste, Dalit, or a minority, yet their participation in governance, media, and the corporate world is lacking," he noted.

Gandhi advocated for a caste census to provide data on the reality of power distribution in India. "We want data on fairness in India. Once we have that data, we can make policy proposals to correct it," he added, underscoring the Congress Party's commitment to ensuring equal representation for all.

Reviving India's manufacturing sector

Discussing India's economic future, Gandhi emphasized the need to revitalize the country's manufacturing sector to address unemployment and foster economic growth. "To simply ignore manufacturing and run a services economy means you can't give employment to your people," he warned.

On national security and geopolitical strategy

Addressing India's complex security challenges, Gandhi emphasized the need for a long-term strategic vision rather than a series of reactive measures. "The world is changing with the rise of China's power, and India is positioned at the center of this geopolitical shift," Gandhi stated.

He stressed that India's approach should be rooted in democratic ideals and values such as peace, nonviolence, and cooperation, which have historically defined the nation. Gandhi expressed confidence in India's ability to navigate the geopolitical landscape, asserting that "India is smart and capable of manoeuvring through these challenges."

Gandhi also addressed the issue of Pakistan, emphasizing that terrorism sponsored by Pakistan is a primary obstacle to improved relations between the two countries.

India- US relations 

When questioned about the potential differences between the U.S. political parties' stance on India, Gandhi noted that there is a bipartisan consensus in the United States regarding the importance of its relationship with India. "I don't think there will be significant differences between the policies of Trump and Harris towards India," he commented. 

Democracy under threat

Gandhi did not shy away from discussing the current state of Indian democracy, which he described as being under significant threat. "India's democracy is not just a national asset but a global public good," he said, highlighting that it has been under attack for the past decade. 

He pointed to incidents such as the freezing of Congress party bank accounts and the imprisonment of political figures, including a chief minister, as examples of this erosion. Despite these challenges, Gandhi remained optimistic, stating, "Indian democracy is resilient and is fighting back."

India's role in the global arena

Gandhi also touched upon India's role in global affairs, particularly in relation to Bangladesh and the Middle East. He expressed concerns about extremist elements in Bangladesh but remained hopeful about stabilizing relations with its government. On the Middle East, Gandhi condemned both the violence initiated by Hamas on October 7 and the subsequent actions by Israel, stating, "I'm against violence of any kind, and the scale of violence deployed by Israel is harmful to their own interests." 

In closing, Gandhi reiterated his belief in India's potential to be a leader in the 21st century through embracing democratic values and innovation. He pressed the importance of fairness and inclusivity in India's future growth, envisioning a nation that respects the skills of its people and offers opportunities to all.