Washington: US President Joe Biden is preparing to hold a conference involving more than 100 democratic countries of the world. This conference will be organized to strengthen the spirit of democracy in the world. The conference will take place amid worldwide efforts to undermine democracy and curtail rights and freedoms. Biden had promised during the election campaign to strengthen democratic values by bringing the democratic countries of the world on one platform.
Some critics have raised questions about the leaders attending this virtual summit. It is said that some such leaders have been invited who are accused of seizing power. They have changed the system at their convenience to sustain themselves, affecting democratic values and freedom.
Annie Boyajian, vice-president of Freedom House, an organization working for democracy and human rights, has said that if anything is to be gained from the summit, America will have to move forward with its resolutions on democracy and human rights December 9 and 10. With regard to this summit to be held in May, the Biden administration says that it will be the beginning of the journey to achieve bigger objectives.
As per the advice of the participants, many steps will be taken in future to strengthen democracy. President Biden gave his first foreign policy speech in February. In it, it was announced to bring America back on the path of global leadership. It is believed that this conference to be organized on democracy is a step in this direction. Through this, America will try to reduce the stature of China that has been created in recent years.
Countries with strong democratic traditions are on the list of invited countries like India, France, and Sweden. At the same time, there are also new democracies like the Philippines and Poland, where democracy is being perceived as a threat. US friendly countries such as Thailand and the Philippines have not been invited to the conference. Most of the friendly countries from West Asia have not been invited to the conference. Only Israel and Iraq have been invited. America’s ally Turkey and special friend Egypt have also not been called in NATO.