Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state, greeting India on its Independence Day says the two countries enjoy a strong bond of friendship.
Washington: India has set an example for South Asia and the world by supporting democracy, diversity and the rule of law, the US said Wednesday while greeting the country on its Independence Day.
In his message on behalf of the United States of America on the occasion of India’s 72st Independence Day, US secretary of state Michael Pompeo lauded the contribution of the vibrant Indian-American diaspora and young students in strengthening ties between America and India.
“On this Indian Independence Day, we congratulate India a unique civilisation, fellow democracy, and a friend on taking its rightful place as a leading global power and continuing our shared efforts to sustain the rules-based order,” he said.
Since gaining its independence 71 years ago today, India has “set an example for South Asia and the world by supporting democracy, diversity, and the rule of law values shared by the United States”, Pompeo said.
“As members of the oldest and largest democracies, the people of the US and India have always enjoyed strong bonds of friendship. We are grateful for the vibrant Indian-American diaspora and the growing number of young people strengthening ties between our countries as exchange students,” he said.
Pompeo said that the values shared by the people of the two countries “contribute to inspiring collaboration in health, energy, environment, science, and high technology that will fuel the jobs and prosperity of the future”.
He said that “we congratulate India, – a unique civilisation, fellow democracy, and a friend – on taking its rightful place as a leading global power and continuing our shared efforts to sustain the rules-based order”. – PTI
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist,Barnala(Punjab)
Mr.Mike Pompeo ‘s compliments are just more or less formal not coming from the core of his heart ! There may be some US agenda behind this move too !
He has talked of India supporting democracy, diversity and rule of law setting an example for South Asia and World ! I have not an iota of doubt that he did compliment India for these values only for their glorious past not the present because it paints a very black picture in this context !
Where is democracy ? Where is diversity? Where is the rule of law ? The United States of America might be cherishing and adhering to these values but in the present day India these values are indeed alien !
Mr. Pompeo needs a lot of updating !
What matters and weighs in “Indian World” nowadays is Power, Pelf, Self,Name,Fame may be by hook or crook !
I shall like to draw attention of Mr. Pompeo towards one decision of Government of India for instance to show how democracy- the government of the people, for the people and by the people has been functioning here !
This decision is of the Demonetisation declared by the Prime Minister of India itself on the television networks of nation on November 8, 2016 at night ! He informed people that this decision had been taken to unearth black money and to arrest the menace of fake currency facilitating trans borders terrorists !
About one hundred fifty persons lost their lives standing in queues in front of banks to get their own cash money ! The public was subjected to untold woes, hardships and uncertainities for months together affecting their normal routine and activities adversely ! The small scale industries, small businesses had to face the music and lakhs rendered unemployed in India all of a sudden!
How much black money came to the fore as a result of this exercise neither government nor public knows ?
Ironically, what to talk of initiating any action against those found responsible for these acts of omission and commission as per the law of the land, the entire Indian Polity till date is silent on these serious lapses of the system ?
Paradoxically, the government has been painting this decision in rosy and bright colours instead of being anti-public or wrong !
Eventhen, if Mr.Pompeo is still so much impressed with India’s past glorious democratic and diverse cultural values, he must ensure
a permanent member berth in UN Security Council for India ! Despite the India Prime Minister Modi’s intimate friendship with former US President Barrack Obama and the US President Donald Trump, India has been yearning for it for pretty long !
Then he should be nice enough to enable India to be a member of Nuclear Suppliers Group(NSG) for which PM Modi tried his level best in the past couple of years but grapes proved to be sour for him !
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist
Pom Anm Nest,Barnala(Punjab)