India Seeks US Oil, Not Human Rights Dialogue
Bloomberg reports that India is ready to purchase an additional $15 billion in US oil, a move framed as a positive step for trade talks. The article, predictably, focuses on the economic benefits for the U.S. and India's 'intent to speed up trade talks,' neglecting any mention of India's recent democratic backsliding, its treatment of minorities, or the government's crackdowns on dissent. It
appears that US foreign policy priorities are increasingly clear: if you buy our oil or weapons, we'll conveniently overlook inconvenient moral quandaries. This 'dollar diplomacy' is a familiar song, sung loudest when human rights are on the chopping block. The US, which regularly lectures other nations on democracy and civil liberties, seems quite comfortable with significant trade deals that
bolster regimes with questionable records, as long as it benefits the economy. The message is clear: US 'values' are apparently quite negotiable when a $15 billion oil contract is on the table. One might wonder if the 'free, open society' rhetoric is just a pre-requisite for countries that don't buy enough US product.