Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

slide 3 of 2
THE BIZNOB – Global Business & Financial News – A Business Journal – Focus On Business Leaders, Technology – Enterpeneurship – Finance – Economy – Politics & LifestyleTHE BIZNOB – Global Business & Financial News – A Business Journal – Focus On Business Leaders, Technology – Enterpeneurship – Finance – Economy – Politics & Lifestyle

Politics

Politics

Biden accused of sidelining Vietnam and India’s rights over strategic interests

U.S. President Joe Biden raises a toast with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi, Vietna... U.S. President Joe Biden raises a toast with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 11, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
U.S. President Joe Biden raises a toast with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi, Vietna... U.S. President Joe Biden raises a toast with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 11, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Listen to the article now

Biden was accused of sidelining Vietnam and India’s rights over strategic interests. The White House information sheet on President Joe Biden’s Vietnam visit included nearly 2,600 words. The human rights section has 112 words, including a subheading.

Business and strategic, Biden’s journey to Vietnam on Sunday and Monday and India late last week will likely strengthen relations with nations that might assist Washington in opposing China’s rise.
Given his administration’s 2021 promise to promote human rights, Biden’s visits disappointed rights campaigners.

Biden claimed in Hanoi that the U.S. was establishing a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and expanding cloud computing, semiconductors, and AI collaboration. The White House announced Vietnam Airlines’ $7.8 billion acquisition of 50 Boeing 737 Max planes.

Rights groups worry that ignoring human rights would exacerbate situations in Vietnam, India, and abroad.

“The Biden administration is clearly sidelining human rights to advance partnerships with strategically important governments, sending a message that the U.S. is willing to tolerate blatant failures to protect and uphold human rights,” said Amnesty International Asia advocacy director Carolyn Nash.

Rights organizations accuse Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party of persistent discrimination against minorities, notably Muslims, and violent assaults on selected communities.

HRW believes the government’s Hindu majoritarian ideology is evident in judicial system bias, and authorities have increased politically motivated charges to muzzle activists and journalists. HRW said on Saturday that Vietnam held at least 159 political detainees and 22 others in jail awaiting trial before a Communist Party-controlled court.

HRW claimed courts sentenced at least 15 individuals to severe jail sentences in the first eight months of 2023, violating their fair trial rights.

When questioned whether he prioritized U.S. strategic objectives above rights in Vietnam, Biden said, “I’ve raised it (human rights) with every person I met.”

HRW’s Nash and John Sifton argued private conversations weren’t adequate.

“It is very difficult to improve relationships with rights-abusing governments while effectively championing human rights,” Sifton added.

He said governments needed to know there would be consequences for abuses “if not of sticks, then of squandered carrots.”

“This is especially true with Vietnam, where the government does not particularly care about its reputation internationally with respect to rights,” Sifton said, adding that openly criticizing Modi’s rights record was the best way to alter him.

In a June news conference with Biden, Modi denied minority persecution under his government. The Vietnamese government denies rights violations.

RIGHTS “PRIVATELY”

Despite telling a Hanoi news conference that he discussed human rights and a free press with Modi, Biden did not publicly address human rights problems in India.

In India, the White House did not oppose the Indian government’s ban on media covering Modi and Biden’s meeting, which was held in a vehicle.

U.S. Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell told reporters that Biden wanted to discuss press access individually.

Campbell said India “continues to be a work in progress” on rights, but “The key here is for us to maintain a respectful dialogue and to approach some of the challenges with a degree of humility given some of the challenges that we face in our own country.”

The U.S.-Vietnam Human Rights conversation saw an “enhanced commitment to meaningful dialogue,” according to the White House Hanoi information brief.

Murray Hiebert of Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies said some U.S. officials see this yearly interaction as a mere discussion. He also stated that To Lam, the strong state security minister responsible for dissident crackdowns was Nguyen Phu Trong’s closest left side during his critical meeting with Biden.

Derek Grossman, a regional analyst at RAND Corp., said Biden wanted India and Vietnam to join America’s Indo-Pacific strategy to confront China.

“The Biden administration has downplayed or avoided human rights discussions,” he claimed. It encourages these states and others, like Saudi Arabia, to continue business as usual.”


Comment Template

You May Also Like

Politics

Donald Trump’s plan to revive **impoundment** sparks debate over presidential control of federal spending. Critics argue it **undermines congressional authority** and could trigger legal...

Breaking News

USAID faces an unprecedented crisis involving leadership turmoil, a suspected security breach by DOGE, and severe downsizing amid shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities. Allegations...

Politics

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s upcoming Washington visit with President Trump aims to solidify Gaza’s fragile ceasefire. With the focus on lasting peace, humanitarian aid,...

Politics

Germany faces intense political turbulence ahead of its snap election, with immigration dominating the debate. Protests erupt against far-right rhetoric while CDU leader Friedrich...

Notice: The Biznob uses cookies to provide necessary website functionality, improve your experience and analyze our traffic. By using our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Cookie Policy.

Ok