Modi in America: Strategic Convergence Alone Won’t Deflect Scrutiny on Treatment of NGOs and Minorities

The United States fought a war in Vietnam to prevent the expansion of communism, and more than 40 years later, the two countries are strengthening ties to curb Chinese expansionism. The United States lifted a ban on arms sales to Vietnam but human rights concerns could still block transactions. US President Barack Obama, during his visit to Vietnam, insisted that human rights reinforce rather than threaten stability. “Of course, in relations between states, strategic considerations regularly prevail over other matters – witness the rapid warming of India-US relations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was once barred from entering the US due to human rights concerns,” writes Nayan Chanda, founding editor of YaleGlobal Online, in a column for Times of India. Chanda suggests that Modi, during a US visit, can expect scrutiny of Indian domestic policies on NGOs and minorities as well as questions about the slow pace of economic reforms and restrictions on foreign investment. – YaleGlobal