During President Joe Biden’s recent visits to Vietnam and India, strategic interests took precedence over human rights concerns. Despite the administration’s pledge to prioritize human rights when taking office in 2021, Biden’s visits were primarily seen as efforts to strengthen ties with countries that can assist in countering China’s influence in the region.
In Vietnam, Biden announced an elevation of relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and deepened cooperation in various fields. While these initiatives hold strategic significance, rights advocates express disappointment at the limited attention to human rights concerns.
Carolyn Nash, Asia advocacy director at Amnesty International, criticized the Biden administration’s approach, stating that it seems to prioritize strategic partnerships over human rights.
In India, human rights groups accuse the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of systematic discrimination against minorities, particularly Muslims, and allege violent attacks against targeted groups. The government’s Hindu majoritarian ideology has led to bias in the justice system, and authorities have intensified efforts to silence activists and journalists through politically motivated charges.
While Biden stated that he raised human rights concerns in private discussions, rights advocates argue that private conversations are insufficient. John Sifton at HRW emphasized the importance of publicly criticizing leaders’ rights records as an effective way to press for change.
In conclusion, Biden’s primary focus on strategic interests during his visits to Vietnam and India has raised concerns among human rights advocates, who argue that promoting human rights should not take a back seat to strategic partnerships. Critics suggest that public criticism and consequences for human rights abuses are essential tools in pushing for change in these nations.
