On March 17th, India abstained from the UN Security Council resolution imposing a "no-fly" zone and all measures to protect civilians against attack by forces of Col. Muammar Al-Qadafi. It was an opportunity lost for India to stand up and be seen as a strong decisive World power. Even a vote against would have been good because India would have taken a stand on an issue that troubles the World. Abstention was a weak-kneed response for a nation aspiring be recognised among the World's top powers.
India's problem has always been that we go all soft far away from home and then try and be a bully or at least seen as one in our own neighborhood.
What we have in India's favour is all ingredients for exerting its power and influence on the World stage - soft or if it so wishes, hard. But... we haven't yet found a Druid who could use all of these and make a potent enough potion that we could then imbibe, feel our power and then exert it. In such a scenario, I would prefer this Nation doing it softly but assertively.
How? What matters most for any country is not raw power but the thing called "power balance". What is power-balance as it applies to a situation like this? Being benign and humble in front of nations that look up to us and stand up and stare down the bullies. A clear, consistent, no-nonsense approach on tough Global issues, well-balanced, swift and measured responses, articulation and body language and a tirelessly pro-active diplomacy will set us apart as an emerging power. This is what gets respected and gets us what one would call as "impact and influence" among the members of the World.
No one respects an expedient power full of hubris at the slightest success and that which goes around begging for a UNSC seat. No one takes seriously a Nation that makes varied noises at different times, lectures to the World on righteousness while seldom walking the talk at home, flaunts its demographic dividend but hardly does anything for it like getting them to become well-nourished, skilled-up and educated workers.
What can do we do as we the people and as a Nation? Just do 3 things for starters ....
First, just shut up...... You as a Nation have done precious little to be "talking" so much. In 2 decades or so, get your literacy to 85%, GDP to $3.5 Trillion at least, get infant mortality rates to <15 (gender ratio to 950 at least!) and finally the current account deficit to zero (not even positive) before you start to lecture or talk.
Second, stop picking on little guys and genuinely help them unconditionally and irrespective of which part of globe they exist. Use diplomacy and consistently articulate India's global vision. Don't even change a single punctuation mark in it for two decades.
Third, work hard and create a benchmark or a path-breaking solution at home for one major global problem in the next decade - food, water, air quality (curbing CO2/NOx emissions), global warming, green energy, mal-nourishment, disease control, terrorism, or women empowerment or banking and Finance. Take your pick. There are enough problems out there.
Do all this for a decade at least and you will start to see people taking you seriously. The UN Security Council seat will come borne on a platter by your doubters and detractors but will it matter then.....
India's problem has always been that we go all soft far away from home and then try and be a bully or at least seen as one in our own neighborhood.
What we have in India's favour is all ingredients for exerting its power and influence on the World stage - soft or if it so wishes, hard. But... we haven't yet found a Druid who could use all of these and make a potent enough potion that we could then imbibe, feel our power and then exert it. In such a scenario, I would prefer this Nation doing it softly but assertively.
How? What matters most for any country is not raw power but the thing called "power balance". What is power-balance as it applies to a situation like this? Being benign and humble in front of nations that look up to us and stand up and stare down the bullies. A clear, consistent, no-nonsense approach on tough Global issues, well-balanced, swift and measured responses, articulation and body language and a tirelessly pro-active diplomacy will set us apart as an emerging power. This is what gets respected and gets us what one would call as "impact and influence" among the members of the World.
No one respects an expedient power full of hubris at the slightest success and that which goes around begging for a UNSC seat. No one takes seriously a Nation that makes varied noises at different times, lectures to the World on righteousness while seldom walking the talk at home, flaunts its demographic dividend but hardly does anything for it like getting them to become well-nourished, skilled-up and educated workers.
What can do we do as we the people and as a Nation? Just do 3 things for starters ....
First, just shut up...... You as a Nation have done precious little to be "talking" so much. In 2 decades or so, get your literacy to 85%, GDP to $3.5 Trillion at least, get infant mortality rates to <15 (gender ratio to 950 at least!) and finally the current account deficit to zero (not even positive) before you start to lecture or talk.
Second, stop picking on little guys and genuinely help them unconditionally and irrespective of which part of globe they exist. Use diplomacy and consistently articulate India's global vision. Don't even change a single punctuation mark in it for two decades.
Third, work hard and create a benchmark or a path-breaking solution at home for one major global problem in the next decade - food, water, air quality (curbing CO2/NOx emissions), global warming, green energy, mal-nourishment, disease control, terrorism, or women empowerment or banking and Finance. Take your pick. There are enough problems out there.
Do all this for a decade at least and you will start to see people taking you seriously. The UN Security Council seat will come borne on a platter by your doubters and detractors but will it matter then.....
Good targets for an Expedient country like ours!!!
ReplyDeletewe shud stop picking up with neighbours, while we have our gr8 politicians looting millions in all possible ways!!!!
we cant even settle down some long continuing issues like, babar masjid, Kauvery water, Kashmir & as well getting new arrivals like mullai periyaar.
We cant even commit Tata to settle down in Singhur!!!! and many yet to come......