I-Policy
I-Policy
India Policy (I-Policy) is an initiative based in Washington, DC, to educate U.S. policymakers on issues related to democracy in India.
India’s democracy is the largest in the world, and recently it has seen a decline in global indices that measure the strength of certain norms and practices. Areas of concern include freedom of the press, judicial independence, and protection of minorities. Economic stagnation has compounded these problems, and U.S. companies — including technology firms — have reported difficulties navigating India’s sensitive landscape.
Failure to address such issues may pose risks to economic prosperity, geopolitical stability, and the U.S.-India strategic partnership. To understand these risks and propose constructive solutions, India Policy will host dialogues and publish original policy research to keep stakeholders informed of key domestic developments in India, including those that can impact bilateral ties. By supporting India’s democracy, policymakers can ensure the U.S.-India relationship continues to reach new heights.
Dec. 9, 2022
Democracy and the Political Dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party
Political scientist Anjali Thomas unpacks the diverse means through which India’s Hindu nationalist party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, has cultivated electoral strength and what implications this has for Indian democracy.
Dec. 8, 2022
Groundwork for Democratic Partnership: President Carter and U.S.-India Ties
The Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander reflects on the role that President Jimmy Carter has played in ensuring democratic values remain fundamental to the U.S.-India relationship.
Nov. 18, 2022
Containing Illiberalism: the U.S.-India Partnership and the Ukraine War
How should American policymakers think about recent developments in India around democracy and Ukraine? Political scientist Harry Verhoeven examines whether the U.S.’s conception of global geopolitics makes sense given rising illiberalism in India and diverging positions on Ukraine.
Nov. 4, 2022
How Supporting Democracy Benefits the U.S.-India Partnership
In this joint commentary with CSIS, the Carter Center’s Vice President of Peace Programs, Barbara Smith, and Khosravi Chair in Principled Internationalism and Director of the Human Rights Initiative at CSIS, Marti Flacks, discuss that shared democratic values in the U.S.-India Partnership are not secondary to commercial ties but also bolster them.
Oct. 27, 2022
The Strategic Context of the Enduring India-Russia Friendship
What is the future of India-Russia ties? Yale scholars David Engerman and Sandeep Bhardwaj
look into past relations to imagine a path ahead—the 1st article in a series by The Carter Center’s new India Policy initiative.
Aug. 1, 2022
The Carter Center Announces New Initiative on Democracy in India
The Carter Center is establishing I-Policy (India Policy), an initiative to educate U.S. policymakers on issues related to democracy and human rights in India.