27th June 2020
Musings.......
The Covid-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-19 virus has shackled the bubble that humans the world over have been living in, wherin aided by alpha male Hollywood flicks the human race always survives.
A popular WhatsApp forward was how the US could win only in movies and not in real life.
It is at this juncture that we hear of the sudden aggression at the border along Line of Actual Control (LAC), in the Galwan valley in particular leading to deaths of Indian soldiers, at that part of the border in a very long time.
This warrants a reality check on the Foreign policy of the Modi Government. Questions have been raised on how well the situation have been handled and whether deaths could have been avoided.
Let us look at India’s foreign policy within the prism of its neighbours.
China- Salami Slice strategy.
There is a clear shift in China’s foreign policy post COVID19 outbreak. This is seen with its behaviour with the US, Taiwan, Naval incidents in the South China Sea, and a security law in an already unstable Hong Kong.
Propagated and popularised by Game theorists, “salami slice strategy” is where the dominant power tries to establish its hegemony piece by piece.
- [ ] Covid-19 relief materials to multiple European countries and Africa
- [ ] Skirmishes with Vietnam and Indonesia in the South China Sea where few of their fishing boats were capsized by Chinese vessels.
- [ ] Taiwan where it has raised threats by flying Chinese airplanes in Taiwanese territory
- [ ] India where Chinese aggression along the LAC has led to a military buildup along the border on both sides along with developmental activities.
- [ ] Hong Kong where Chinese Parliament has passed a controversial national security law which paves the way for sweeping anti-sedition laws to be directly enacted in Hong Kong. This allows Chinese “national security agencies” to operate directly in Hong Kong.
Pakistan
India’s relationship with Pakistan has been at an all time low. The recent arrest and expulsion of two Indian diplomatic officials in Islamabad, under the pretext that they had fake currency with them, was a tit for tat move against India. It was only recently that India had arrested two Pakistani officials in India for spying.
Both countries have now decided to halve their respective diplomatic entourage in both capitals.
Since the Pulwama- Balakot diplomatic fiasco where India seems to have hit bushes with bombs, with no body count or loss of infra to show of, the relation with Pakistan has been on a steep down slide.
Nepal
Very surprisingly Nepal which has close cultural and political links with India, has raised border issues with India.
Nepal Parliament has passed into law changes to its official map. They have included the strategically important Kalapani, the southern side of the Lipulekh pass as its own territory.
This is the pass used by pilgrims to Kailas Mansarovar.
The government and party which seems to have taken it upon themselves to represent the Hindu interest in India seems to have written off the important passage to Kailash Mansarovar, considered by Hindu followers as the abode of their revered Lord Shiva, to Nepal.
Sri Lanka
It is a well known fact that China has heavily invested in the region. The Hambantota port is now under direct Chinese control and forms part of the String of Pearls strategy of China - also including Gwadar port in Pakistan, Sittwe port in Myanmar, and Bangladesh’s Chittagong port. India has been found sleeping. It remains to be seen whether the re-election of the Rajapakse Brothers would help or further worsen India’s ties with Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh
India was having one of its best times in relationship with Bangladesh when the Modi government introduced the CAA bill in Parliament. This has led to widespread discontent among Bangladeshis towards India and we seem to have lost an ally here.
Bangladesh has the highest GDP growth rate in south east Asia at present and has done a commendable job in containing the COVID19 pandemic. Last seen Bangladesh was cozying up to China and with all the chest thumping over CAA/NRC India seems to have picked a Bangladeshi bone here.
Afghanistan
India has been completely left out of policy making in Afghanistan. The exit of US troops and talks with Taliban were mediated by Pakistan. India does follow a policy of not directly engaging with non-state actors.
However, India which did major developmental works in Kabul including their Parliament building, seems to have been reduced to a mere spectator in Afghan affairs. An element of good diplomacy and realpolitik would have ensured Indian presence felt in the vital neighbour country, but the Modi Government seems to have lost it, again a glaring example of failed foreign policy.
Things back home too are not so well even before the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Economy was in doldrums. There was a fractured polity and social upheaval over the CAA/NRC.
To add to all this, Modi Government seems to have botched up its Covid-19 management and seems to be clueless.
Mismanagement of the
- Economy
- Foreign Policy
- Domestic policy
- Covid-19
What more do you require to rate this Right wing Government as below average.
Not to sound too cynical I should also commend the Government when it does good.
The bravery and swiftness with which the Modi Government declared a nationwide lockdown when India had below 100 cases, giving just 4 hours for the public to prepare was a master stroke.
The 56 inches was all glowing in splendour when the Government unlocked the country when the tally was 1 Lakh cases and pushed the common man to fight COVID19 on their own. Well done Modiji.
Food for Thought.......
RC
Pic- Mount Kailash
rohitchennithala.blogspot.com
rohitchennithala.home.blog
The Covid-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-19 virus has shackled the bubble that humans the world over have been living in, wherin aided by alpha male Hollywood flicks the human race always survives.
A popular WhatsApp forward was how the US could win only in movies and not in real life.
It is at this juncture that we hear of the sudden aggression at the border along Line of Actual Control (LAC), in the Galwan valley in particular leading to deaths of Indian soldiers, at that part of the border in a very long time.
This warrants a reality check on the Foreign policy of the Modi Government. Questions have been raised on how well the situation have been handled and whether deaths could have been avoided.
Let us look at India’s foreign policy within the prism of its neighbours.
China- Salami Slice strategy.
There is a clear shift in China’s foreign policy post COVID19 outbreak. This is seen with its behaviour with the US, Taiwan, Naval incidents in the South China Sea, and a security law in an already unstable Hong Kong.
Propagated and popularised by Game theorists, “salami slice strategy” is where the dominant power tries to establish its hegemony piece by piece.
- [ ] Covid-19 relief materials to multiple European countries and Africa
- [ ] Skirmishes with Vietnam and Indonesia in the South China Sea where few of their fishing boats were capsized by Chinese vessels.
- [ ] Taiwan where it has raised threats by flying Chinese airplanes in Taiwanese territory
- [ ] India where Chinese aggression along the LAC has led to a military buildup along the border on both sides along with developmental activities.
- [ ] Hong Kong where Chinese Parliament has passed a controversial national security law which paves the way for sweeping anti-sedition laws to be directly enacted in Hong Kong. This allows Chinese “national security agencies” to operate directly in Hong Kong.
Pakistan
India’s relationship with Pakistan has been at an all time low. The recent arrest and expulsion of two Indian diplomatic officials in Islamabad, under the pretext that they had fake currency with them, was a tit for tat move against India. It was only recently that India had arrested two Pakistani officials in India for spying.
Both countries have now decided to halve their respective diplomatic entourage in both capitals.
Since the Pulwama- Balakot diplomatic fiasco where India seems to have hit bushes with bombs, with no body count or loss of infra to show of, the relation with Pakistan has been on a steep down slide.
Nepal
Very surprisingly Nepal which has close cultural and political links with India, has raised border issues with India.
Nepal Parliament has passed into law changes to its official map. They have included the strategically important Kalapani, the southern side of the Lipulekh pass as its own territory.
This is the pass used by pilgrims to Kailas Mansarovar.
The government and party which seems to have taken it upon themselves to represent the Hindu interest in India seems to have written off the important passage to Kailash Mansarovar, considered by Hindu followers as the abode of their revered Lord Shiva, to Nepal.
Sri Lanka
It is a well known fact that China has heavily invested in the region. The Hambantota port is now under direct Chinese control and forms part of the String of Pearls strategy of China - also including Gwadar port in Pakistan, Sittwe port in Myanmar, and Bangladesh’s Chittagong port. India has been found sleeping. It remains to be seen whether the re-election of the Rajapakse Brothers would help or further worsen India’s ties with Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh
India was having one of its best times in relationship with Bangladesh when the Modi government introduced the CAA bill in Parliament. This has led to widespread discontent among Bangladeshis towards India and we seem to have lost an ally here.
Bangladesh has the highest GDP growth rate in south east Asia at present and has done a commendable job in containing the COVID19 pandemic. Last seen Bangladesh was cozying up to China and with all the chest thumping over CAA/NRC India seems to have picked a Bangladeshi bone here.
Afghanistan
India has been completely left out of policy making in Afghanistan. The exit of US troops and talks with Taliban were mediated by Pakistan. India does follow a policy of not directly engaging with non-state actors.
However, India which did major developmental works in Kabul including their Parliament building, seems to have been reduced to a mere spectator in Afghan affairs. An element of good diplomacy and realpolitik would have ensured Indian presence felt in the vital neighbour country, but the Modi Government seems to have lost it, again a glaring example of failed foreign policy.
Things back home too are not so well even before the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Economy was in doldrums. There was a fractured polity and social upheaval over the CAA/NRC.
To add to all this, Modi Government seems to have botched up its Covid-19 management and seems to be clueless.
Mismanagement of the
- Economy
- Foreign Policy
- Domestic policy
- Covid-19
What more do you require to rate this Right wing Government as below average.
Not to sound too cynical I should also commend the Government when it does good.
The bravery and swiftness with which the Modi Government declared a nationwide lockdown when India had below 100 cases, giving just 4 hours for the public to prepare was a master stroke.
The 56 inches was all glowing in splendour when the Government unlocked the country when the tally was 1 Lakh cases and pushed the common man to fight COVID19 on their own. Well done Modiji.
Food for Thought.......
RC
Pic- Mount Kailash
rohitchennithala.blogspot.com
rohitchennithala.home.blog
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