New Delhi: Vivek Ramaswamy, a former US presidential candidate termed China as a major threat to India and the United States. In an exclusive interview with Navika Kumar, Group Editor-in-Chief of Times Network, Ramaswamy said that relations between India and the United States could be mutually beneficial vis-a-vis China.
"I think China presents a major threat to both India's security in the future, as well as the long-run security interests of the United States. One of the areas where the United States is really under a barrel is that many of our essential sectors, even our own military, our pharmaceutical supply chain, our industrial base supporting our military depend on China for those essential parts of our way of life," he stated.
The former US Presidential candidate added that there are opportunities in production and trade relationships between the US and India.
"It makes no sense from an American perspective, that our own military should depend on China for our way of life or our own military. That doesn't make sense. So I think there could be opportunities when we think about production and trade relationships between the US and India, where that could be mutually beneficial both to the US and India and provide greater stability," he said.
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Ramaswamy stated that in future, India could prevent the China-Taiwan conflict. "I think a closer relationship and understanding, God forbid, what happens in a China-Taiwan scenario in the future. Knowing what side India falls on in that scenario, I think, can actually prevent that conflict, if that's clear from the outset. So I do think there's room to grow and build on the U.S India relationship," he said.
"I say the same thing for Japan and South Korea and the U.S relations there as well, to strengthen our respective positions vis-a-vis China. And I think that there's a natural tie. I believe that every nation should look out for its self-interest, but it is the world's largest democracy, and the United States is, I think, the world's shining example and oldest democracy that's lasted this long. And so there's natural basis for an allyship," Ramaswamy added.
He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Minister's leadership for India's economic growth in the 21st century. When asked about India's growing stature on the world stage, the former Republican US Presidential candidate stated, "I think it has grown, and I think the number one reason comes down to economics. GDP growth. India has had impressive GDP growth led by the opening of markets. You know, India has, didn't have a track record of that in the 20th century, but in the 21st century, and it continues under Modi, embracing the idea that capitalism is still the best system we have to lift people up from poverty."
Last year in February, the Indian-American conservative entrepreneur announced his 2024 presidential bid. However, in May this year, he dropped out of the presidential race after a fourth-place finish in the Republican Iowa caucuses.