Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has strongly criticized the Modi government, claiming that India's democratic system is facing significant threats. Speaking to students at EIA University in Colombia, he emphasized that India's rich diversity of religions, traditions, and languages is under siege. "India has many religions, traditions, and languages. A democratic system provides a place for everyone. But right now, the democratic system is under attack from all sides," he stated.

During his address, Gandhi discussed the ongoing global energy transition, comparing it to historical shifts in power. He noted that Britain rose to prominence during the coal and steam era, while the United States led the way with petrol and the internal combustion engine. He pointed out that India is now experiencing a similar shift towards electric batteries, with the US and China vying for dominance in this new landscape. "The real fight between the US, which has a maritime vision of the world, and China, which has a terrestrial vision, is about who is going to manage this transition," he remarked.

Gandhi highlighted India's rich spiritual and ideological heritage, asserting that unlike China, India cannot suppress its citizens. He also addressed the challenges of job creation in India, stating that despite economic growth, the country struggles to generate enough employment opportunities due to its service-oriented economy and limited manufacturing capabilities. He explained, "Despite the economic growth in India, we are unable to provide jobs because we are a service-based economy and are unable to produce."

He contrasted India's situation with China's success in production under an authoritarian regime, stressing the need for India to develop a competitive manufacturing model within a democratic framework. "Therefore, the challenge is to develop a model of production in a democratic environment that can compete with China," he concluded, urging for a focus on building a robust manufacturing sector to create jobs and sustain growth.