tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50429582009070388522024-03-12T22:15:12.378-07:00Parjanya BhattMy Take On Current IssuesParjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-48900234672587351322016-10-24T02:01:00.002-07:002016-10-24T02:01:22.945-07:00Is India getting pulled in China centric arms race?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghgM1hC6oSYH1sSMCOxRhz6jr5lCtetHoT208qrfvgZUFuoyZKAd3AC6yqCTaS7hfCqJd9o39OVmFfjfcaGbw2hGJmBtAdj9G0vA64ZayBl-_kOtJ9iCxde3Z3mPkZOtYK5wQBLLzAFZx/s1600/Weapon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghgM1hC6oSYH1sSMCOxRhz6jr5lCtetHoT208qrfvgZUFuoyZKAd3AC6yqCTaS7hfCqJd9o39OVmFfjfcaGbw2hGJmBtAdj9G0vA64ZayBl-_kOtJ9iCxde3Z3mPkZOtYK5wQBLLzAFZx/s320/Weapon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">THE FOLLOWING ANALYSIS APPEARED IN FREE PRESS JOURNAL ON 22 OCTOBER, 2016</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;">http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/is-china-being-a-responsible-nation-state-parjanya-bhatt/959862</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the recent past, India has accelerated defence assets
acquisition. Latest media reports suggest that India has agreed to purchase its
second Akula Class nuclear submarine at a cost of $ 2 bn from Russia, in a deal
that was signed on the sidelines of the recently concluded BRICS summit in Goa.
This will be India’s third nuclear submarine with INS Chakra and the new INS
Arihant. This comes on the heels of the recently signed deal with France for 36
Rafael fighter jets. Obviously, these assets go well beyond any threat
perception emanating from Pakistan.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">While, this may sound alarm bells
in Pakistan, but under the prevailing geopolitical and regional security
circumstances, India is forced to acquire these expensive armaments and it is
not alone in this frantic defence assets acquisition race. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Analysis of the larger geopolitical power game emerging
in South Asia and South East Asia reveal that the entire region is becoming
prey to a wild arms race, where India, China and Pakistan - the three nuclear
neighbours are suspicious of each other and caught in a vicious circle of
outdoing each other.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The growing military presence of China in the
Indian Ocean under the excuse of securing its own Sea Lanes of Communications
and thereby, trade, which is seen by Indian analysts as a String of Pearls to
bind India, gives a clear picture of how China is playing its outsized ambition
of becoming a ‘great power’. It is also China’s counter-strategy to balance
America’s Pivot to the East.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">India’s defence preparedness, on the other hand, is
aimed at protecting her economic interests and countering military threats from
the Red army. It is, however, perceived as a threat by Pakistan which boosts
her arsenal with help from the Chinese. Pakistan has traditionally relied on
American support to satiate her defence needs, but Beijing has taken over
Washington in defence supplies to Islamabad. Every time India acted
aggressively, China has diplomatically stood with Pakistan. However Beijing has
never come to Pakistan’s rescue during its military conflicts with India. It
has, however, lethally armed Rawalpindi over the years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the post-surgical strike
scenario, if China starts to worry about India’s more muscular approach
threatening her multi-billion dollar investment in
China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC), Beijing may not hesitate to offer
Islamabad tangible military help. China has not only shed her aloof posture,
but has become active on the international platform giving tough competition to
the established Western economic and military powers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">According to media reports,
Pakistan imports about 63% of its armaments from China. According to research
carried out by Stockholm based research institute SIPRI, Pakistan consumes
about 35% of China’s arms supplies followed by Bangladesh at 20%, making
Beijing the world’s third largest arms supplier. In August earlier this year,
China agreed to supply Pakistan eight diesel electric submarines at a cost of
$5 bn. These submarines are likely to have capabilities to fire nuclear
missiles. This trend is dangerous not only from the conventional war point of
view but more importantly because the three nuclear countries are adjacent to
each other with the first two having colluded against India.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Pakistan is China’s pawn to keep
a check on India’s western flank and simultaneously prepare to choke New Delhi
on its eastern front. India’s arms acquisition is justified for two reasons,
one, its Air Force and Navy are short of technology and required number of
equipment and two, China’s gigantic military build-up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There has been a meteoric
increase in China’s defence spending. According to defence consultancy HIS
Jane’s report published earlier this year, because of heightened tensions in
the South China Sea, China has accelerated its defence preparedness. Beijing’s
annual defence budget is $146 bn and is expected to rise by 5% annually
crossing $233 bn by 2020. In contrast, India’s defence budget is meagre $51 bn.
However, the Modi government has plans to spend Rs. 50,000 – 60,000 in the
current fiscal on new defence deals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">India has enough capabilities to thwart
any misadventure from Pakistan and keep China at bay, but looking at China’s
mammoth investment to match the American military power, Beijing has raised the
stakes for everyone in the region – especially for India.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The situation emerging in South and South East Asia with China and India
as key players, is akin to the Cold War arms scenario between the US and USSR.
It is for New Delhi to choose whether it wants to become a strong economic
power making it a credible military force, or a lethal military power with a
weak economy. India certainly cannot afford to be another Soviet Union.</span></div>
Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-56934874228684748202016-02-17T03:28:00.000-08:002016-02-17T03:30:11.647-08:00JNU Row: Is it time for Chanakya's rebirth?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLId4ZB4BetQW5dCVuKJrAGehXQUgpKxIiFLc1chpfVh8n8BazX-gSXqyxuDXmoJ2dHxc4CGEpslNEVri8CpkunzoVyUJe6EjRx4AyD4SRQQ2x2RfMV5qDGyW_ILMYRUdfblCRd5rnmNIg/s1600/Chanakya.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLId4ZB4BetQW5dCVuKJrAGehXQUgpKxIiFLc1chpfVh8n8BazX-gSXqyxuDXmoJ2dHxc4CGEpslNEVri8CpkunzoVyUJe6EjRx4AyD4SRQQ2x2RfMV5qDGyW_ILMYRUdfblCRd5rnmNIg/s320/Chanakya.png" width="289" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
the standoff between the JNU students and the Modi government continues, it
should be amply made clear that the sloganeering by student mobs on the
university campus and at the press club by Prof. S A R Gilani – making a martyr
out of Afzal Guru, demanding destruction and division of India was in no way an
expression of dissent. It was just short of being anti-national. By acting
against rebel students, neither the BJP is proving its nationalism, as claimed
by many, nor are the students by quoting the constitutional rights able to
justify their hateful slogans. The government action may appear harsh, but was necessary,
as for too long many groups have been harbouring and expressing these sentiments.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No
doubt the right to dissent will have to be safeguarded from the politics of
opportunism of Congress, AAP, the Left and the BJP too, but the opposition should
have acted maturely before it sent emissaries like Rahul Gandhi and Sitaram
Yetury to show solidarity towards the students who were part of alleged
anti-national sloganeering. However, the opposition seem to have realised that its
support to the protesting students was unnecessary, as a result of which, no
politicians have come out in support of students from Jadavpur University and
Aligarh Muslim University who have shown solidarity with the JNU students and
their awful rant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">University
campuses where students and professors are suppose to have intellectual
intercourse and develop theories and ideas to make the society a better place
for citizens, have unfortunately turned into a place for those who are against
the government administration and in many cases against the upper class. Politicisation
of Rohith Wemula’s death and JNU protest is the finest example of this. In May
2014, security authorities had arrested Delhi University Prof. Saibaba for his alleged
Naxal links and recruiting JNU student for his so called revolutionary activities
in Chhatisgarh. The student was associated with the Democratic Students’ Union
(DSU), the same group which is currently in the news for anti- India and
pro-Pakistan sloganeering. S A R Geelani, the former professor of the Delhi University,
who was narrowly acquitted by the Supreme Court for his alleged role in the 2001
Parliament attack case had arranged an <span style="background: white;">ghaibana janaza — funeral prayers in absentia</span> for terrorist Afzal
Guru – a week after the latter’s hanging in 2013. </span>This was shameful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Over
the years these elements have gained strength only because past central administrations
never invoked the legal system to deal with them. The left wing student group
celebrated the killing of 76 CRPF security personnel in 2010 in Dantewada. The
then Congress government did not act. Embarrassment at its best. Now, when the
government has decided to deal with the miscreants – this awful lot is not only
dividing the society on political lines, but painting all those who favour
legal action with the same brush of ‘Bhakts’, Khakhi chaddis and ultra-nationalists.
Their anger is justified as for the first time a government has decided to act
firmly against them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
should realize that the Sangh Parivar’s Hindu majoritarian nationalism is a mirage,
Congress’ minority appeasement has miserably failed and has created more problems
than it has provided solutions. And, the world has witnessed the ugly fall of Leftist
ideology the world over. But would these groups who ask for Azadi give a
clarification on their definition of freedom and nationalism? It is not about
the so called (original) nationalists (the Congress), ultra-nationalists (BJP)
and anti-nationals, nor is it between the students and the government. It is
for the Indian society to think that what kind of ideas we allow the university
campuses to harbor and propagate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
was King Dhananda who did not allow Guru Chanakya to build university in
Patliputra and subverted free flow of ideas. Later, Chanakya was forced to
fight the might of the Nanda dynasty with his knowledge and army of students. Today,
fortunately, no professor has the capabilities and nationalistic vision that of
Chanakya. Even if by mistake, Chanakya is referred to in the present context, a
section of the society would out rightly reject it saying, India is still ruled
by the Brahminical ideals. But in reality, Jai Bheem is politically more
lucrative than what Babasaheb preached and what he gave us through his
contribution to the Constitution. More than the protection of liberal ideas and
their demand for uncontrolled freedom of speech, it is about the safety of
national interest – especially from within the country. During the reign of Chandragupta
Maurya, Chanakya fought for the unification of smaller states as all smaller
states lacked political unity and consciousness. Today it is about various political
philosophies, which are at loggerheads, including upper caste – lower caste
divide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Hindu dharma has clearly made a distinction between Shashtra (knowledge) and shastra
(weapon). The protection of Shashtra (here understand as democratic ideals) is
possible only by allowing free exchange of ideas and vibrant role of the
universities. But the JNU and press club incidents have forced the government to
invoke shastra (here understand as law). Chanakya gave weapons to his students
as Dhanananda was blind to the military march of Alexander towards India. In contrast
to this, Prof. Geelani and Prof. Saiaba have invoked anti-national feelings
among students over crucial security issues like Kashmir and Maoism. How can
any state tolerate such activities? Has the time come for Chanakya’s rebirth?
The answer depends on our so called intellectuals who either believe in
anti-administration rant or just return awards. An intellectual does neither.
He is just busy </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">building a strong nation.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My
Goddess Saraswati still has a Vina (an Indian classical musical instrument – a symbol
peace) and a book (a symbol of knowledge) in her hands. Don’t force her to become
Mahishasur Mardini.</span></div>
</div>
Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-69190968289524534312015-12-31T09:00:00.001-08:002015-12-31T09:19:31.216-08:00Modi Foreign Policy: Statecraft or Salesmanship?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ5D4W3_ebh9gfPl2KlZeyPG1K5SgrIxYqWTkkZOjihiVng5WYRtRYc7znOTBVha-4_2tWQu7LxyIxQ4NfKdQCk_BJs-8DE4YM4s1PSjlsKLyWShmGER1DHYIdViN14nDMqJKxarw8GCw/s1600/Obama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ5D4W3_ebh9gfPl2KlZeyPG1K5SgrIxYqWTkkZOjihiVng5WYRtRYc7znOTBVha-4_2tWQu7LxyIxQ4NfKdQCk_BJs-8DE4YM4s1PSjlsKLyWShmGER1DHYIdViN14nDMqJKxarw8GCw/s320/Obama.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">He rubbed shoulders
with global leaders, invited international business tycoons to ‘make in India’
and prompted the Indian diaspora that time will soon arrive to pay back to
their mother land (Aachhey Din Aayengey). During 2015, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi left no stone unturned on the diplomatic, military and economic front. One
may call it ‘speed dating’ foreign policy, but for once – New Delhi has laid the
foundation stone for the revival of India’s presence not only in the SAARC
region, but also reached out to the satellite states in South East Asia, Far
East and Central Asia, sending clear signals to China and Pakistan that New
Delhi will not allow military and economic encirclement of its national
frontiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Modi-critics lambasted
his frequent foreign trips, but 2015 played a vital role in bridging the gulf
between India’s capabilities, realities in the immediate neighbourhood and the
global opportunities. His hectic schedule covering over 30 countries has been
an indication enough that the PM was not on holiday. From his first visit to
the Himalayan country Bhutan to smallest island Fiji to economic powers USA and
Japan and now Afghanistan – Modi set the correct foreign policy priorities certainly
aimed at catapulting India to a global power in the coming years. For the first
time Indian foreign policy has started to free itself from the clutches of the
Non-Alignment Movement of Pt. Nehru when India acted without any specific agenda
to the NDA and UPA years of Pakistan- specific diplomacy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Often mocked as the NRI
Prime Minister, Modi’s critics forget that India’s crucial geographic location serves
both as a security challenge and an economic corridor to the Central Asia via
Afghanistan and sea lanes connecting Straight of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to
the Straight of Malacca in South East Asia via Hambantota in Sri Lanka have the
potential not only to bring trade to Indian shores, but can control China’s crucial
oil, gas and trade supplies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Below I discuss that
why the PM Modi chose to travel the world.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Pakistan:
The Problem In Perpetuity<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M4EjrKZXT2NTOHFxXhBi2UXEMlXfa36H5Yqg0gOb4_s8LgCIgjKJ7lIhPi06ZxZD7G8si_oDvp_jYUoTKPXT_fqmb52IbppcnzJoVDDmEuDMig6g8oxU6JZVMKv4H7PG5iyhub8_Mv_I/s1600/Sharif.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M4EjrKZXT2NTOHFxXhBi2UXEMlXfa36H5Yqg0gOb4_s8LgCIgjKJ7lIhPi06ZxZD7G8si_oDvp_jYUoTKPXT_fqmb52IbppcnzJoVDDmEuDMig6g8oxU6JZVMKv4H7PG5iyhub8_Mv_I/s320/Sharif.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Away from the media
glare – the increasing bonhomie between PM Narendra Modi and Pakistani
counterpart Nawaz Sharif has raised many eyebrows. Meeting between the two
leaders at Ufa in Russia, talks on the sidelines of in Paris climate meet, secret
meet between two NSAs in Bangkok and now Modi’s air dropping into Lahore is a
diplomatic masterstroke to break the ice between the two sides. Certainly, Modi
is delivering diplomatic bouncers. Pakistan army has always clipped the powers
of the country’s PM, but Modi’s repeated outreach to Nawaz Sharif has worked to
increase the latter’s image and value in Islamabad’s political corridors,
especially in the eyes of the army. His Pakistan policy appears to go beyond
the regular game of talking cross border terror and increasing cultural
exchange. For once, his critics are quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">With Afghanistan getting
back on its feet, <span style="background: white;">Turkmenistan</span>-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India
(TAPI) oil pipeline, China’s increasing presence in Central Asia and
China-Pakistan economic corridor – for India the economic and military security
stakes are very high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Originating in
Turkmenistan, the pipeline will run alongside the Herat-Kandahar highway,
moving on to Quetta and Multan in Pakistan and finally ending in Punjab in
India. But the success of the project depends on security assurance, which is
yet to be provided by the Taliban in Afghanistan and trust deficit between
Indian and Pakistan. To convince Taliban for its support and assure security
for the pipeline’s safe entry into India, New Delhi needs Islamabad on its
side. If Nawaz Sharif doesn’t seize the opportunity provided by Modi, Pakistan
will lag behind in economic development, Afghanistan will further get grind in
poverty and for New Delhi, China will strengthen its economic and security grip
on the region. There is no doubt that for Islamabad, friendship with Beijing is
more important than her own future and Afghanistan’s security. But for New
Delhi, Afghanistan’s security is of prime importance as it acts as a base to
control Pakistan and it also is an access point to the energy-rich Central
Asia, where China is expanding its footprint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: rgb(233, 232, 232); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;">China – In The Jaws Of The Dragon:</span></u></b><b><u><span style="color: red; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The China-Pakistan axis
is not new, but the economic corridor between the two countries, which is
planned to run through PoK is primarily aimed at allowing Beijing an access to
Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean – allowing PLA to strengthen its encirclement of India.
Linking Gwadar port with the Karakoram highway will have severe military
security implications for India. Pakistan is not only a Chinese pawn, but will
be a base of power projection for the Chinese.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReWs6MwUcVYaChruxYaRY8i4kWHyvwneE7rYDa4uOmjVydDdsYtRe-74LL_pOsQy7r_iRwTNH35nGk8XB5SYOtTVuOA3CNatuvTAIo9Pl1eevNPR7zBJqXDyiHJOz9Guh9-rNf2trkkTr/s1600/Xi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReWs6MwUcVYaChruxYaRY8i4kWHyvwneE7rYDa4uOmjVydDdsYtRe-74LL_pOsQy7r_iRwTNH35nGk8XB5SYOtTVuOA3CNatuvTAIo9Pl1eevNPR7zBJqXDyiHJOz9Guh9-rNf2trkkTr/s320/Xi.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">A brief look at the
history tells us that China has always filled the gaps in India’s immediate
neighbourrhood and satellite states. <span style="background: white;">Considering
PoK’s strategic location as a connecting point of South, West and Central Asia,
China’s move has implications for limiting India’s outreach to the critical
Eurasian region. India always looked at the world through Pakistan, but missed
out the crucial security points. Footprints in Central Asia and Mongolia will
allow India access to China’s backyard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Barack Obama entered office at a particularly difficult time. America
was busy in Afghanistan and Iraq, and economic crisis followed soon. Taking advantage
of the same, China expanded its reach in the Asia Pacific region. Losing ground
in East Asia and South East Asia to Beijing’s economic and military power was
never an option for Washington. New Delhi has never openly supported the
American Pivot, but has quietly embraced it. Former PM Manmohan Singh’s ‘Look
East’ policy did not deliver any results as the UPA-II was a dysfunctional government.
But the Modi administration with the makeover of the ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’
has worked quickly to join the geographically strategic dots that have historic
animosity with China. Though the ultimate goal will be to militarily balance Beijing,
the work has begun with economic efforts. India by engaging with Japan has
become part of the same equation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Domestic Audience:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Whether
it is developed or developing nation, foreign policy rarely appears in the
domestic politics of the country. What matters is, how big is the government
wallet. During Bihar polls, the PM did open a big piggy bank, but animosity
between Modi and Nitish Kumar was at the centre of the electoral battle, to
which the Dadri incident and the ‘award waapsi’ campaign played the catalyst BJP’s
defeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">However,
Modi’s surprise stopover in Lahore has gone a long way in rebuilding confidence
between the two sides and detox domestic environment. It has sent a clear
message to the minority community about the changing approach of the
government. Keeping in mind the realities in the neighbourhood, Modi has scored
a political masterstroke to woo the minority community and keep the Sangh Parivar
away from the centre’s Pakistan policy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The
foundation for India’s dynamic foreign policy has been laid. Now is the time
for the PM to give more importance to domestic issues. After two electoral
debacles – Delhi and Bihar – if Modi wants to revive the BJP, his foreign
policy efforts will need to bring in the investment promised by foreign
leaders. Fortunately, political ‘vyabhichar’ (corruption) has not infected his
government so far, but there is no guarantor for politicians in India.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">The real test for
Modi’s foreign policy begins now.</span></span></div>
</div>
Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-52987963226226152015-11-21T02:13:00.002-08:002015-11-21T02:13:39.527-08:00WHOSE TERROR IS IT ANYWAY?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrRjinefStAwKTX6bx5EM8dh-bn45f8ZQoRieigiL5TXziU7TVQDTkNhkfbw4IVRWjofycpaTGjM1r4cIZqkqR9YEPPD2QB70BxSnSvC237W__iMTsf18noZya7OGwoDeCaRUrw4LPq9i/s1600/Kapoor.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrRjinefStAwKTX6bx5EM8dh-bn45f8ZQoRieigiL5TXziU7TVQDTkNhkfbw4IVRWjofycpaTGjM1r4cIZqkqR9YEPPD2QB70BxSnSvC237W__iMTsf18noZya7OGwoDeCaRUrw4LPq9i/s320/Kapoor.png" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If
there is one mistake the West loves to repeat time and again is associating
every act of terrorism with religion. Immediately after the ISIS terrorists
brought Paris to its knees, almost every Western newspaper and news channels
was filled with discussion on how one particular religion is terrorising the
world with its violent acts. The media continues to discuss how Islam is
directly related to terrorism. On the other hand, while Indian Prime Minister
was on a state visit to England, <i>The
Guardian</i> newspaper chose to link the entire Hindu faith with the Taliban. This
is atrocious. Is this the freedom of expression the West practices? And, who
will take the moral responsibility for further antagonising the extremist
forces? However, one need not be surprised because the Western media’s
fascination with Islam is not new.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
cultural fissure caused by the West’s verbal violence is no less than the bloodbath
practiced by ISIS. A military action could well control the violent forces to a
particular geographic area, but the irresponsible usage of words is spoiling
the environment in all the societies across the globe. After every terror
attack the media associates a religion to the act and the later – feeling
ashamed of the acts carried out in the name of religion starts giving
explanations on how their faith is peaceful and terror has no relation to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0VJm0WP6AsqgV-kOy6ML_Bj2UsveCsP3N6rhUfp5Zo0t1hmJGfgG2lfKlv09ZGvlp9MGoUzKJw1fSM87_6SvbytNwL7mSndBbEn2u8fxbjX2-CExlS0FTL8FZMG6fiSbHb8vxI658632/s1600/Libero.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0VJm0WP6AsqgV-kOy6ML_Bj2UsveCsP3N6rhUfp5Zo0t1hmJGfgG2lfKlv09ZGvlp9MGoUzKJw1fSM87_6SvbytNwL7mSndBbEn2u8fxbjX2-CExlS0FTL8FZMG6fiSbHb8vxI658632/s320/Libero.png" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
West seems to enjoy pressing the wrong nerves at the wrong time. The Italian
newspaper ‘Libero’ chose to splash words ‘Bastardi Islamici’ (Islamic Bastards)
across eight columns on the front page. And now, France is ready with a movie ‘Made
In France’ on terrorism, which may very well incite religious feelings. At the
height of the America’s war in Afghanistan and invasion of Iraq, ex-American
president George W Bush chose to use the word ‘crusade’ and invoked religious
feelings of both the Christians and Muslims world over, reminding them of the
past where the two civilizations fought seven battles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">While
no religion is free from the violent episodes, what right the media and the
contributing authors have to associate the entire faith with violent forces
like Taliban? In 2011, when Anders Breivik slaughtered 69 innocents in Norway,
the Western press conveniently picked words from his ‘<i><span style="background: white;">A European Declaration of Independence’</span></i><span style="background: white;">, </span>to prove that Breivik has no connection with
Christianity. Suddenly terrorism had no religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So
far the debate on terrorism has been seen only through the prism of religion,
but it would be pertinent to address the issue only as ‘criminality and <span style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">psychopathism’. And, the Western fascination
of looking at the problems through the barrel of the gun and Islam’s world view
through ‘the book’ needs to change soon. No doubt the solution to ISIS lies in
military operations, but answers to larger questions are outside of the military
doctrine and words of god.</span></span></div>
</div>
Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-88460570710034252532015-11-16T07:57:00.002-08:002015-11-16T07:57:55.302-08:00The (In)tolerance Myth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK_eQisq53OJ_4NVxX_cllHNHphKnBLMDJTGCLtvm9G-KryQyBG4epXWkXhDDYsrXFOCuYyy3mtCW_LLv-ZUkFTF8gGwsw4YO2Sp39IijxEpaUOK9f5F96FjUSbbgt8JovU413xZePzOC/s1600/Tolerance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK_eQisq53OJ_4NVxX_cllHNHphKnBLMDJTGCLtvm9G-KryQyBG4epXWkXhDDYsrXFOCuYyy3mtCW_LLv-ZUkFTF8gGwsw4YO2Sp39IijxEpaUOK9f5F96FjUSbbgt8JovU413xZePzOC/s320/Tolerance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When was the last time India practiced
intolerance? During the Dadri murder or during the Babri demolition, during Indira
Gandhi’s draconian emergency years or Sikh massacre of 1984 or during Congress’
glorious corrupt years? The list is too long. And when was the last time India
practiced tolerance? Did it begin with the Vedic age and end with Mahatma
Gandhi’s non-violent independence movement? No, tolerance has been ingrained in
Indian culture, which finds its roots in Bharatiya Sanskriti (culture) and
Hindustani Tehzeeb (Culture). It is the India of today that has turned a blind
eye to its glorious past and choses to cherry pick certain events that are
politically correct. If the so called intellectuals had chosen to speak in time
and politicians had acted before time, the socio-economic picture of the
country would have far too different. But it was more important to glorify the
cruel Mughal rule and British Raj in the schools than establishing schools in
remote areas of the country and create research facilities at university level that
could have stopped Indian youth from running away to the West for better
education and employment opportunities. But it was more important to not put
the history in the right perspective, rectify the politically correct mistakes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bhartiya society was so deeply immersed in the
idea of peace and universal brotherhood that it could not see the military
advance of Alexander. Chanakya – the first Indian political realist shaped the
country’s foreign and military policy, and gave birth to the concept of Akhanda
Bharat (One Bharat). Surprisingly, while PM Narendra Modi is trying to weave-in
India’s neighbourhood, the satellite states and the international community,
his critics are calling him the NRI prime minister.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Babur – the first Mughal invader in 1526
plundered Bharat’s cultural and religious wealth (first Muslim ruler was
Mohammad Bin Qasim who invaded India in 8<sup>th</sup> century), and started
the process of transforming Bharat into Hindustan. Later, the British Raj
further plundered India’s Hindustani culture (also known as Ganga-Jamna
Tehzeeb) for over 250 years, transforming Hindustan into India. The result –
Bharat that spread from the hills of Hindu Kush in Afghanistan to Indonesia
shrunk steadily and became Hidustan and today what we have is India, which has
several unresolved border disputes and numerous social issues. It was a game of
imperial politics for the Mughals and the British, something which the
(scattered) Hindu rulers of the day couldn’t resist due to their lack of
collective approach to foreign and military policy. It was foolishness on our
part to have excessively practiced peace and universal brotherhood and not have
a strong standing army. Religious tolerance was practiced to the extreme level,
military & diplomatic foolishness had no boundaries, because of which this
country has paid a heavy price for it. Neither extreme level of tolerance nor
foolishness has any scope in Indian society.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many Indian historians have countered the
British version of Indian history that depicted India in a bad light? Remember,
Max Muller - a German scholar - advised the British to enslave India with western
education. How many Bollywood personalities have questioned the Western
depiction of India as the country of slums and superstitions? Where were these
artists when Charlie Hebdo portrayed Prophet Mohammad with a bomb in his turban
and M F Hussain painted Hindu gods and goddesses nude? And why the
intellectuals have kept quiet on Islam’s constant comparison with terrorism and
when Congress leader P Chidambaram coined the word Hindu terror?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The so called ‘tolerance brigade’ argues that
Hindu saints eat beef during the Vedic age, but have we not progressed and
become more civilised than before? If eating beef is one’s choice, then
respecting the religious feelings is also their duty. If the incident like
Dadri has brought bad name to Hinduism and to India, then it is the
intellectuals – the other fringe – who at a right time started shooting at the
Modi government and fell silent immediately after the final phase of elections
in Bihar was over. The intellectuals exceptionally did well in spreading a
message of ‘intolerance’, but have miserably failed to suggest a concrete
solution for making India tolerant. It was verbal violence. Violent exceptions
are the realities of every society. But violence in the name of religion and
colonisation through economic oppression has never been part of Hindu society.
It is nearly impossible to cite an example where Bharat, Hindustan or India
waged military invasion to expand territory and carried out conversion to
increase its population. But the recent verbal rant of the saffron clad
sanyasis (hermit) is in no way a call to protect the Hindu culture. They might
think that they are doing service to the Hindu society, but unknowingly they
are damaging image of the Hindu religion, which has survived the wrath of
Islamic invasion and conversions by the Christian missionaries. But for the
benefit of the Indian society, these sanyasis and mullahs will have to keep
quiet and introspect what is wrong with their society. And the intellectuals
will have to make constructive contribution than mere verbal violence. And
finally, the political leaders will need to speak and act at a right time.
Remember, the fault lines on both the sides.</span></div>
</div>
Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-8210681337213742122013-05-07T03:00:00.002-07:002013-05-07T03:00:54.761-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>If army fails, China will open new flanks: General <span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Shankar Roychowdhury</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">THIS INTERVIEW APPEARED ON 5TH MAY, 2012 ON THE FRONT PAGE OF </span></b><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><i>FREE PRESS JOURNAL</i>.</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino linotype, palatino, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>ONLINE LINK: </b></span></span><a href="http://freepressjournal.in/if-army-fails-china-will-open-new-flanks-general/" style="text-align: left;">http://freepressjournal.in/if-army-fails-china-will-open-new-flanks-general/</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-taDa70fSd59WiRB7zjCf7W0h278HU_riTq_KdZVIeoSeIf4XKddd38-lSr0JsWjFkcHOrUx1nm78PRUfYFDLmO21jj43OolZhDRHSrNhibbukJMUvCzY-dEbg7Q7KjYjDNddeia44JMR/s1600/Gen.+Roychowdhury+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-taDa70fSd59WiRB7zjCf7W0h278HU_riTq_KdZVIeoSeIf4XKddd38-lSr0JsWjFkcHOrUx1nm78PRUfYFDLmO21jj43OolZhDRHSrNhibbukJMUvCzY-dEbg7Q7KjYjDNddeia44JMR/s320/Gen.+Roychowdhury+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">After 21 days and 19 km of intrusion by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into Indian territory, New Delhi has failed both diplomatically and militarily to push the Chinese back on the other side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Gen. (Retd) </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Shankar Roychowdhury</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">, </span><em style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Former Chief of Army Staff</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">, in a candid interview with me</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">, says the stand-off may lead to a 1962 war-like scenario.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Q. The third flag meeting between the two sides have failed to generate any result. Today is the 20th day of the stand-off. How do you see the situation developing?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong>ANS:</strong> The situation will not develop further. We have a very articulate Foreign Minister who has been making tremendously conciliatory statements. The major issue is that the Chinese have come across a line that India feels is the boundary. They have not just come across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), but have established them selves. This is a major variation. To move them back India will have to undertake a multi-pronged strategy. One arm of that will definitely be diplomacy. The second arm has to be an appropriate military build-up to contain and isolate whatever has come across otherwise New Delhi will not be able to get the right message across to the Chinese.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Nothing much will come out of this unless the government builds up its nerves and some kind of pressure is applied, otherwise we should reconcile that the Chinese will stay where they are and even militarily build-up further in the area.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Q. The government seems to have reduced the gravity of the situation by saying that it’s an ‘acne on the beautiful face’ and ‘a localised issue’. Do you agree with this?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong>ANS:</strong> I do not agree with the government on this at all, at all, at all, reason being: In 1996 India and China had a treaty and there were eight points of differences on the perception of border. Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) is just one of them. If India feels that it’s a localised issue and our response is ineffective the Chinese who are attempting to establish themselves under the new regime both on the ground and on the high sea may take a chance in other areas of dispute. Response in one area may further aggravate the situation in other areas as well.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Our Foreign Minister has time and again gone out of his way and has said that we do not want any trouble. If you do not want any trouble please keep quiet. Do not keep talking.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Since India is militarily weaker and unable to influence Chinese decision making from a position of strength, our esteemed and sometimes excessively civil foreign minister should not endlessly dwell on our supposedly common background as ‘two ancient civilisations’.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Q. This is not the first incident. There are reports of over 600 incursions in past few years. This time it is very serious as they have come in about 19 km inside Indian territory and this may give rise to Kargil-like situation?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong>ANS:</strong> What I am more worried about is not Kargil, but a 1962 like situation of Tawang and Thag La. Many seem to be not remembering their history and those who do remember says let us not do war mongering.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
India, in 1962 went forward and claimed the Thag La ridge thinking that the Chinese will not react. But it was a complete failure of Indian intelligence. And this was the basic failure in Indian thinking that Chinese will not react regardless of what we do. India tried and establish its self beyond Thag La and the Chinese came rolling down on India.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
So we should keep ourselves prepared and balanced. Keeping ourselves prepared to contesting and contending this creeping by the Chinese in the disputed areas should be our considered strategy.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
And this is something that is not being taken into account.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Q. India has started building military infrastructure in the disputed area. The are feeling a little provoked. Do you think New Delhi has taken a right step to develop military facilities at forward posts?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong>ANS:</strong> India should have started building military infrastructure decades back. What we are doing is too little, too late. And when we get some kind of pin prick from somewhere we scramble and try to contain it and then we get ourselves into all sorts of trouble. India must retain its balance, but very seriously develop border infrastructure which has not been adequately developed, specifically in the case of Daulat Beg Oldie.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Also, the Chinese should not feel provoked. We are within our side of the border. Chine has been developing military infrastructure on their side. India has taken a non-confrontational line and will continue to develop the required infrastructure. The Chinese do not hesitate in doing what they feel right.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Q. Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid will be visiting China on 9th May. Should he visit China at all?</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong>ANS:</strong> In my personal opinion. NO. He has avoided saying that this issue of DBO will come up in his meeting with the Chinese counterpart. The emphasis is on cultivating good neighbourly relations between the two. Nothing wrong with that, but at the same time India must work on what is in the best interest of the country.</div>
</div>
Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-13529173489586450702013-05-04T02:25:00.000-07:002013-05-04T02:25:56.695-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Modi wants world at Sardar Patel's feet</b><br />
<br />
THIS STORY APPEARED IN <i>FREE PRESS JOURNAL</i> ON 3 MAY, 2013<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCLGxBJLhHTN3-dZRJrFUz6uNzDKh5SG9-Y8lqFHTt6XKDUtQjnSA6a7P2VnBjIm01iIqizd1kU2qvLUbmavjH0Em32xNj7Bhv-0jqOYSnSLgzLcRVENM0HGa16LLMY-My3OKD4IDRolM/s1600/Modi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCLGxBJLhHTN3-dZRJrFUz6uNzDKh5SG9-Y8lqFHTt6XKDUtQjnSA6a7P2VnBjIm01iIqizd1kU2qvLUbmavjH0Em32xNj7Bhv-0jqOYSnSLgzLcRVENM0HGa16LLMY-My3OKD4IDRolM/s320/Modi.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi wants the world to be at the feet of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – the man who united India in its immediate years of post-independent years by annexing several princely states.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span id="more-181249" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>Addressing a business gathering organised by Indian Merchant Chambers in Mumbai, Modi said, Gujarat will soon be building a ‘Statue of Unity’ of Sardar Patel and I want the entire world to bow down to him.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
The statue will be 182 meters (597 feet) tall i.e. double the size of ‘Statue of Liberty’ (93 meters) in New York and statue of Shivaji (94.183 meters) to be built in Mumbai off the Arabian Sea.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
On the current social and economic situation in the country, Modi said, “For the first time the Indian society is screaming in anger not only at Jantan Mantar, but wherever it can find a stage to voice its anger…The country is sinking…we need to change circumstances to bring change in the country.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Taking a jibe at the Congress, Modi said, “For over 45 years you took the country in the wrong direction, then you correct your mistakes and call it reforms. The country needs policy-driven institutions and not Modi.”</div>
</div>
Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-20384883421856029762013-04-20T07:03:00.001-07:002013-05-07T03:01:20.675-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b style="background-color: white;">Pakistan's tryst with democracy</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">THE ARTICLE BELOW APPEARED IN FREE PRESS JOURNAL ON 19 APRIL, 2013.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1CAeSZ1Y4XsrqcCndjnp6JLLy53NfOfqXLCK6hT0861Iun91L7KpkzmvGJ338pWzlCw1GC8V3j_S69qTR_jDtrz0tJrw_bztFOMs6dPNk9M0WpFOVopOfsuWBVdhBSbR76FZNVqlkRtX/s1600/Musharraf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1CAeSZ1Y4XsrqcCndjnp6JLLy53NfOfqXLCK6hT0861Iun91L7KpkzmvGJ338pWzlCw1GC8V3j_S69qTR_jDtrz0tJrw_bztFOMs6dPNk9M0WpFOVopOfsuWBVdhBSbR76FZNVqlkRtX/s320/Musharraf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">A complete fall from grace for Parvez Musharraf. The former military dictator and president of Pakistan is absconding from the judiciary and police authorities to avoid arrest for his crimes committed against the civil society and judiciary.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"> Musharraf’s second coming to Pakistan to seek democratic legitimacy has proved to be fatal. He faces treason charges, court proceedings over the killing former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, killing of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti, imprisoning 62 judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and now disqualification from contesting national elections.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">While, from Musharraf’s arrest both Imran Khan of Tehrik-i-Insaf and Sharif brothers of PML (N) stand to gain the most as it will be termed as ‘justice delivered’, it will be the army who would have ditched its loyal soldier who served the force for over 40 years. But in recent times, the judicial populist – Iftikhar Chaudhry has put Pakistan’s politicians, civil bureaucracy and military on the back foot.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Pakistan’s military has preferred to remain within its barracks paving the way for stronger judiciary and longer lasting democracy. In the past, numerous attempts have been made to suffocate democracy in Pakistan, but it has refused to die.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">For the first time in the country’s history, the democratically elected government is about to finish its full term and elections are about to be held on time.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">With Musharraf’s elimination, the Pakistani society is left with three main options i.e. Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples’ Party.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The young, the educated and anti-American-Pakistani nationals have sided with Imran Khan who has declared to sever ties with Washington and wage war against illiteracy.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"> The country badly needs to educate the masses for the intellectual development of Pakistani society, while the former could have regional implication and India’s role in Afghanistan.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The country is surely missing its charismatic Pakistan People’s Party leader Benazir Bhutto.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Her husband and President Asif Ali Zardari has managed to hold on to his chair and run the government, but he has no hopes to offer any new politics from his politically fledgling son – Bilawal Bhutto.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Bilawal’s recent tiff with father Zardari, running away to Dubai and reluctant efforts lead PPP’s election campaign are surely hurting party and his political future.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">He may speak and offer the blood shed by his ancestors, but he still is learning major languages spoken by his countrymen. He can’t even speak his mother tong – Sindhi – the language of PPP’s political base.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">In 1999 Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League (N) was the most hated man in the country and in 2000 stood behind bars – later to be sent in luxurious exile in Saudi Arabia.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"> But after returning to Pakistan five years ago, Sharif is emerging to be the dark horse to lead the country once again.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">As the Diplomat reports, the Sharif brothers will have to contain Imran Khan’s PTI. The latter has given the Sharif brothers run for their money in urban Punjab.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The silence of the Pakistan army raises many questions about its intentions and future course of action.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">However, General Parvez Ashfaq Kiyani in post-Musharraf era and under Chaudhry’s judicial activism has appeared to have prefer to play the security guard. He has not shown any political designs and has not stopped Musharraf’s political fall.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"> This can be interpreted in two ways. First, the military wants Musharraf to serve the jail term or die at the hands of Pakistan Taliban and second, quietly arrange for his safe exit from Pakistan to Dubai or London.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Fortunately, this time around, the Pakistan Army has stayed away from the political heat.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">However, there is no gurantee of how and when the army will stage a coup and throw Pakistan into chaos. Anything more than a whisper and democracy evaporates in Pakistan.</span></div>
</div>
Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-16443103663314804312013-04-20T06:58:00.000-07:002013-04-20T06:58:27.186-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Japan deploys defence shield as N-cloud gathers</b><div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>THE ARTICLE BELOW APPEARED IN FREE PRESS JOURNAL ON 10 APRIL, 2013.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb4L3_S6KSGaTEpdn575IV9U3q-cINAJtdgm2JYeQrwI_R_WyRNGRiRa5KtP4kNZYFT_QqLeT5N9NUGNDIEAj3F3xXaN4xVaZuze6PF0Dj0Sjt-66xpRBpu94KRBipHCvRDzCYg9lsXuf/s1600/Japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb4L3_S6KSGaTEpdn575IV9U3q-cINAJtdgm2JYeQrwI_R_WyRNGRiRa5KtP4kNZYFT_QqLeT5N9NUGNDIEAj3F3xXaN4xVaZuze6PF0Dj0Sjt-66xpRBpu94KRBipHCvRDzCYg9lsXuf/s320/Japan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
The nuclear taboo has been compromised. On Tuesday, North Korea issued warning saying the Korean peninsula was headed for ‘thermo-nuclear’ war and advised foreigners in South Korea to consider evacuation, in the latest in a series of apocalyptic threats.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
Responding to the threat, Japan has deployed Patriot missiles in Tokyo as it readies to defend its people living in greater Tokyo from any North Korean attack. Tokyo also called for sanctions under the UN Security Council resolutions.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Japanese defence forces have been authorised to shoot down any plane or missile headed towards its territory.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Pyongyang has blamed the heightened war risk on the ‘warmongering US’ and its South Korean ‘puppets’ who were intent on invading the North.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Pyongyang has announced to conduct nuclear test on Tuesday amidst heightened tension with South Korea and the US. While the political and military analysts sound optimistic that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s threats are just bluster and suicidal for Pyongyang, one can not neglect the fact that the Korean peninsula is one of the most heavily militarised places on earth.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Pyongyang’s bellicose rhetoric has reached fever pitch in recent weeks, with near-daily threats of attacks on US military bases and South Korea.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Korean peninsula has been locked in a cycle of escalating military tensions since the North’s third nuclear test in February, which drew toughened UN sanctions. If the unthinkable were to happen, there would be devastation on both the sides and the major loss would occur to North Korea.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But the unthinkable is not likely to happen. For Kim and his regime it would be suicidal.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There is significant doubt that North Korea’s long-range missiles that can reach the United States. However, there is no doubt at all that its short-range missiles can reach its neighbors, both of whom are very friendly with the United States.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But the age-old animosity with Washington may prompt Pyongyang to attack Japan and South Korea to hurt the US. The US military has significant assets in both countries, and analysts predict that a nuclear strike against Hong Kong could cripple US international trade.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Either of the actions would prompt the US to launch large-scale military counter offensive and even launch the process for regime change in the leftist nation.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Though it is difficult to know Pyongyang’s intentions and aspiration with precision, it certainly is not in a mood to sit across the table and talk to Seoul, Beijing and Washington.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Pyongyang with over one million men has the fourth largest standing army in the world. But much of the North’s equipment is seriously outdated, going back to its alliance with the former Soviet Union during the Cold War. In contrast, South Korean army is only seven lakh strong, but as compared to Pyongyang, Seoul possesses much more modern and sophisticated equipment. Overall, Seoul’s armed forces present a formidable forward defence against any possible attack by North. With massive ground attack, Pyongyang could succeed invading South in the first phase, but will have to face 28,000 US troops stationed along the DMZ separating the two countries.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Moreover, Beijing has issued a veiled warning to Pyongyang to not to throw the region into chaos. Morover, Beijing doesn’t want a democratic Korea in the neighbourhood with American military presence. Interestingly, China ‘svarious anti-access-military-development to delay and/or deny any American intervention in the region has come to be challenged by the communist regime it has nurtured over the years.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
However, this is the golden opportunity for China to assert its military hegemony in the region. In all probabilities, Beijing will be forced to act to stop Pyongyang from riding the nuclear missile.</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-3576668316159592512012-07-21T04:38:00.006-07:002012-07-21T04:38:56.074-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #474242;"><b>India and Myanmar: Not just neighbours</b></span>
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FUZtYDQrJIelD1jn8UA-bX7dA7_uAwSGHT4aBh8k1beczNlzZyPrV8VbNXLuttIs6qrc6oswV0L0SCSmF6oVZcaoNbhsAICwVsbxd2j5HkYHX8aLShIpG8nfA4-lziZLuI7oX-fTsTew/s1600/Manmohan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FUZtYDQrJIelD1jn8UA-bX7dA7_uAwSGHT4aBh8k1beczNlzZyPrV8VbNXLuttIs6qrc6oswV0L0SCSmF6oVZcaoNbhsAICwVsbxd2j5HkYHX8aLShIpG8nfA4-lziZLuI7oX-fTsTew/s320/Manmohan.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs visit to Myanmar, last month, was not just neighbourly.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though it was first in over 25 years, it came at a time when the military government in Myanmar is opening up to the idea of democracy, increasing Chinese footprint in the country, obvious Western interest and the countrys critical geostrategic location.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was significant and timely, though not unexpected, says Dr. K Yhome of Observer Research Foundation, a think- tank based in Delhi. " The visit was a combination of factors…. New Delhi cannot wait and watch as other players take the early bird advantage in a neighbour so strategic to its interests from political, security, economic and strategic fronts," adds Dr. Yhome.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years, Indias Myanmar policy has largely been driven by security and economic considerations.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the engagement has at least laid the ground for the two neighbours to take their relationship to a higher level. The President of Myanmar, Thein Sein was received in India last year and there have been numerous visits by our respective Foreign Ministers and other senior officials", says Neelam Deo, Former Indian Ambassador and Director of Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" Chinas growing footprint in Myanmar was more of a concern especially to the West, which had isolated itself from Myanmar. Access to Myanmars untapped fossil fuel resources is important for India and other oil importers", adds ambassador Deo." From a geostrategic perspective, China is wary of the changes taking place in Myanmar.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the past two decades or so, Beijing has taken full advantage of the international isolation of Myanmar by establishing a strong footprint in the country, which today is at stake as Myanmar opens up and welcomes other players to play a role in its development", says Dr.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yhome.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, Beijing has welcomed the new developments between New Delhi and Naypyidaw, despite the state media defining PM Manmohan Singhs visit as 'Indias delude mindset'. " I think the Chinese media may be reacting to the Indian medias excessive comparing of the relationship of the two countries with Myanmar and need not be taken too seriously," says Deo.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Beijings hunger for fuel and other natural resources can not be ignored. It has long term strategic interest in Myanmar. The country is a window to East Asia for New Delhis Look East policy. " The lifting of sanctions by Western countries had been counter productive and should have been done much earlier. The move will be very helpful in expanding bilateral trade as in the past the closing of financial channels has hampered payments for our imports from Myanmar.", says Deo.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" China has long- term strategic interests in Myanmar.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether it is Beijings desire to reach the Indian Ocean through Myanmar or ensuring its energy security by laying pipelines in Myanmar to take oil and gas to Chinas southern provinces. In this context, India being a major regional power and a close neighbour of Myanmar that also has the potential to provide strategic alternative to Myanmar, China would closely watch Indias policy and relations with Myanmar and see India as a strategic competitor," says Dr. Yhome.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Chinas presence in the Indian Ocean Region will challenge Indias naval dominance and emerge as a second possible flash point between the two after South China Sea dispute. At the same time, how well American ( Western) engagement with Myanmar develops remains to be seen. It could well keep a check on Beijings military moves in the region, but could well make India uncomfortable.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the internationally isolated Myanmar opens to the world community, it would bring economic opportunities, but will for sure change political and security dynamics of the region.</span></div>
</div>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-68944979928819223722012-07-21T04:34:00.000-07:002012-07-21T04:34:16.914-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #474242;"><b>Can US role in China Sea help India?</b></span>
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After enjoying a geo- strategic holiday for over two decades that began with the Soviet Unions withdrawal from power politics, America was left unchallenged. There was no one left to fight until Al Qaeda attacked and Washington decided to invade Iraq.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, during this period of American unilateralism, China by making full use of that countrys engagement in the Middle East has emerged as a parallel financial support system for the global economy.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beijing, unlike Soviet Union, has emerged as a powerful economy making it a credible military force.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the checkered history of East Asia with several territorial disputes involving Beijing and its lust for energy resources has raised several questions over its military intentions.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The recent announcement by American Defence Secretary Leon Panetta is one such example of Washingtons intention to reemerge in the East Asia region.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, it was never absent in the region in military terms, but two land wars have stretched American military, economic and diplomatic resources.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a global paradox that, where America has been the most powerful, the region has seen the maximum instability and wars, and in East Asia, where there has been the traditional power rivalry and balance of power game, the region has been the most peaceful and prosperous in the world.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, amid peace in East Asia two parallel hegemonies have emerged i. e. American maritime and Chinese control over regions land mass. The latter is the uncontested land power in the region. The US tried to be the land power in East Asia, but failed. It could not defeat Chinese forces in Korean Peninsula in 1950s and lost against Vietnam in 1960s.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the military balance in past 15 years has tilted in favour of Beijing.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has made rapid economic progress influencing the regional economy and developing credible military that can delay an American military response in case Washington decided to change the course of action.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Former American president Henry Kissinger once said, " Once China becomes strong enough to stand alone, it might discard us.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little later it may even turn against as….". Today it has grown from aloof posture of a spectator sizing up the game to active participation and a lively and astute promotion of its national interests. It was an economic opportunity that has grown into a military challenge for its immediate neighbours.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe, America is reading through the 'China Threat'theory. What remains to be seen is whether Washington is trying to prevent any future conflict with Beijing or contain China before it becomes too big to handle. However, a second cold war cannot be ruled out. Last month Chinese military once again dismissed an American role in South China Sea saying, " The South China Sea is not Americas business…. it is between China and its neighbours." This is in complete contravention of America and India wanting to explore the regions natural resources. The sea is believed to have 130 billion barrels of oil and 25 trillion cubic meters of gas.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beijing has already issued warnings to New Delhi against the latters planned exploration of oil off Vietnams coast in South China Sea. New Delhi is watching the situation closely after the US proposed to move 60% of its navy to region. One group may say, yes, why not, after all we are democracies.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have common interests. And, this could be the opportunity for India to play the balance of power politics in the region with Washingtons help. We can fix both Pakistan and China. However, the questions arise are: Will America in the region be any better? Will India become Washingtons client state? However, America will be better than Beijings increasing prominence in the Indian Ocean Region that is supported by Islamabad.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The region is likely to entertain Washington keeping Beijings desire for land and energy resources.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not all neighbours of China prefer her influence in the region. New Delhi is already wary of Chinas interest in Indias North- East. New Delhi cannot let Beijing jeopardise its national interests by allowing Beijings monopoly both on the international sea lines and border areas.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Indian economy expands and engages both China and America, and the international community New Delhis bargaining power is sure to increase.</span></div>
</div>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-12142145103596774762012-07-21T04:28:00.002-07:002012-07-21T04:29:36.829-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Iran poses no existential </b></span></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">threat to Israel, US</b></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What we know about Irans nuclear programme is not encouraging, but is it enough to judge Tehrans intentions? No clear leads have emerged to link attacks on New Delhi, Bangkok and foiled terror plot in Georgia.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIZl8khT3CaISfpmdNF28XMR1mZ8qY3vwc7hK54zUjOcIwT5RM1y-PLhuD7k2AFq2z_3RPrH9Db1TGcjpHn97Cp4JSTSwFPgNrgzamzXWqAPuRk9FzSFq1Ca3GDCbZYFH0UElYPjHO8pF/s1600/Iran.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIZl8khT3CaISfpmdNF28XMR1mZ8qY3vwc7hK54zUjOcIwT5RM1y-PLhuD7k2AFq2z_3RPrH9Db1TGcjpHn97Cp4JSTSwFPgNrgzamzXWqAPuRk9FzSFq1Ca3GDCbZYFH0UElYPjHO8pF/s320/Iran.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the question arises, do America and Israel have a strong case to attack Tehran and scuttle its nuclear ambitions? The answer could be in affirmative for many in Washington and its close allies.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, unless Iran commits an unpardonable act, nothing qualifies Tehran for military action.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mahmoud Ahmadinejads recent flaunting of nuclear card leaves no doubt about Tehrans ambition to possess nuclear technology. But unleashing American and Israeli military strength would throw the region into chaos. Tehran would be forced to accelerate its nuclear programme and may even take recourse to clandestine means, making it difficult to detect, inspect and attack, if need be.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The present Iranian nuclear ambitions do not pose any existential threat to America, nor to Israel. If Washington could live with a nuclear Soviet Union, a nuke China and a clandestine nuclear Pakistan, then it can live with a nuclear Iran. If Jews could survive the Nazi Holocaust, have a separate nation carved out in West Asia and survive the Arab animosity, it would for sure survive any military misadventure of Iran, as Tehran would face decisive American military action.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what remains to be ascertained is Tehrans nuclear status - that is, whether it is nuclear or near nuclear and how afraid is Israel.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The deliberate conviction of Iraq for possession of weapons of mass destruction should caution both America and Israel, when trying to ascertain how close Tehran might be to acquiring nuclear weapons.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Washington in 2003 insisted that we could not wait for nuclear inspectors to finish their job in Iraq. The then British Prime Minister Tony Blair joined a US- led coalition force in an illegal war against Iraq to ferret out Saddams WMDs that never existed. Iraq was depicted as a closing window.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Iraq Survey Group, a 1400 strong member organisation set up by the CIA and the Pentagon, made every attempt to prove otherwise, but only came back empty handed. It its final Duelfer Report released in September 2004, the group found no evidence of concerted efforts to restart the nuclear programme.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How could Iraq, a country economically besieged, politically isolated and war torn, have produced nuclear weapons to attack America or pose a threat to Israel? Yet the country was ruined with military ferocity. However, the Iraq war invasion plot has started to play again in Iran. The drums of war beat louder as Iran and Israel step up rhetoric. Once again, leading the rhetoric is the American media.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A recent article, titled 'Al Qaeda in Iran,'published in a foreign policy journal, Foreign Affairs, elaborates that several of al Qaedas most senior leaders are being held in Iran under house arrest and that " evidence of the Iranian- al Qaeda partnership abounds," despite the fact that the Sunni terrorist group despises Shias.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story is pushed further by Wall Street Journal in an article titled 'US Fears Irans Links to al Qaeda,'stating that US officials believe Iran recently gave new freedoms to as many as five top al Qaeda operatives who have been under house arrest, including the option to leave the country, and may have provided some material aid to the terrorist group.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following the Journal story, Sky News has taken the story even further with an article titled 'Fears Iran is Helping Al Qaeda Plot Atrocity'. The article elaborates on Irans links with al Qaeda and training to latter in advanced explosives 'some funding and a safe haven'. The piece also cites a 'secret intelligence memo'claiming that " Iran has significantly stepped up its investment, maintenance and improvement of operational and intelligence ties with the al Qaeda leadership in Pakistan in recent months." The case against Iran is in the making. Defending Israel from some imagined Iraqi threat was used by Bush, his war enthusiast team members and the media.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The option of war against Iran has been tossed back and forth for a very long time, but no sensible reasons are to be found.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The picture has just begun to unfold. Iran is not a closing window. The international community would be profoundly shortsighted to go to war on the basis of recent ( failed attempts to) attack Israel, failure of nuclear talks, some irresponsible statements by Tehran and deliberate construction of fears of Iranian attacks.</span></div>
<div style="color: #474242; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: inherit !important; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If history repeats itself, it does so only when we fail to learn its important lessons.</span></div>
</div>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-45637636554427401022012-07-21T04:17:00.005-07:002012-07-21T04:22:00.054-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7u25dbC-l9xZH461JS3pjvNc-feAQkeULEsLLq_t031LgjInCyD3-QKcbNjoOlXTENZc9Lw1DgUBnrWEQ-bbGIxTx0-UlkAMXZk9M1wt49i631_mxW65-RDlob16zfEan-QSODECiW4b/s1600/Sajad+Lone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7u25dbC-l9xZH461JS3pjvNc-feAQkeULEsLLq_t031LgjInCyD3-QKcbNjoOlXTENZc9Lw1DgUBnrWEQ-bbGIxTx0-UlkAMXZk9M1wt49i631_mxW65-RDlob16zfEan-QSODECiW4b/s1600/Sajad+Lone.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #231f20; font-size: 12pt;">‘</span></b><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">KASHMIR</span></b></st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> IS LINKED TO PEACE IN </span></b><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">SOUTH ASIA</span></b></st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">’</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #231f20;">No territory is more critical than </span><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">Kashmir</span></st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;"> for both </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">New Delhi</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #231f20;"> and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">Islamabad</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #231f20;">. Wedged between </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #231f20;"> and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #231f20;">, it is the most crucial military,
territorial and religious issue in </span><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">South Asia</span></st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">. A renewed phase of trust-building appears to be in the
offing. The two countries are talking trade,which could lead to confidence building
and fresh start to talks over </span><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">Kashmir</span></st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;"> and cross-border terrorism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #231f20;">However, mixed signals are emerging from </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #231f20;">'s government and military
establishment. The former talks about possible Taliban push into </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #231f20;"> and the latter demanding pullout from
Siachen.<b>Parjanya Bhatt </b>talks to <b>Sajjad Lone, Chairman of the People's
Conference </b>and tries to understand how </span><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">Kashmir</span></st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;"> views the new development.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Q) </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">India</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> and </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Pakistan</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> are talking to develop trade ties
unlike </span></b><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Kashmir</span></b></st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> and cross-border terror. Your first
reaction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A) It is good if trade ties are developed between the two
countries. Trade leads to economic interdependence and it is an imperative if
you want two countries to sit and resolve issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q) Do you think there is change of heart/approach on both the
sides of the border? Can we expect that a sustained and result-oriented peace<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">process will ensue?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A) It does seem that they are moving in a new spirit.We can only
keep our fingers crossed that the statements emanating will result in a
decisive moment that we all are hoping for. It all matters on the leaderships
in the respective countries. I for one want to believe that, yes it seem to be
a stepping stone into a new era.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Q) </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">India</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> and </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">China</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> have put border and territorial
disputes on the back burner (not in deep freeze) and trade is the first
priority. Do you think </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">New Delhi</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> and </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Islamabad</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> are following the same model?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A) I have no idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Q) Pakistani Army General Ashfaq Kayani has referred to
resolving the Siachen, peaceful co-existence and demilitarisation of Siachen.
Is this a positive sign? Will prioritising trade with </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Pakistan</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> work?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A) A very powerful statement from a serving Army chief. It is
certainly a positive sign. Demilitarisation of Siachen may not mean a lot in
terms of physicality. It means a lot psychologically. It depicts a renewed
phase of trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Q) Also, </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Pakistan</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> Interior Minister Rehman Malik has warned
</span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">India</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> about possible Taliban push into </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">India</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;">. In such a situation </span></b><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Kashmir</span></b></st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> could be the first victim. Do you think
</span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Pakistan</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> is raising genuine case for peace with </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">India</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;">?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #231f20;">A) Beyond a certain stage continued trouble in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #231f20;"> could mean trouble for the most
imminent neighbour, and that is </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #231f20;">. Pakistani voices have to be genuine.
They are also reeling from the menace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Q) Hafiz Saeed is free and there is no guarantee that terrorists
won't strike the valley or any other part of </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">India</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;">, which can derail the little progress
the two sides have achieved and the peace in the valley. Your view.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A) Nobody can stand guarantee for the actions of non-state
actors, irrespective of the control that the state might have over them. An
individual roaming free should not hold two nations hostage. No individual is
so strong to derail the peace initiatives of two countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Q) What role do you see for the moderate voice and the
hardliners from the valley? Do you think </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">New Delhi</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> will/should invite various stakeholders
from the valley?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #231f20;">A) </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">New Delhi</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #231f20;"> as well as </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #231f20;"> need to understand the contribution of
the moderates. They need to be encouraged and involved. Nothing should be done
overtly or covertly, which is tantamount to encouraging hardline and extreme
tendencies. Keeping moderates out of the process is a pass ice endorsement of
extreme views.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Q) </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Pakistan</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: #231f20;"> gave shelter to Osama bin Laden and is
now sinking in its self created chaos of state sponsored terrorism. What future
do you see for </span></b><st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">Kashmir</span></b></st1:place><b><span style="color: #231f20;">?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #231f20;">A) Future of </span><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">Kashmir</span></st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;"> by its very political and geographical origins is linked to
peace in </span><st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">South
Asia</span></st1:place><span style="color: #231f20;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>THE ABOVE INTERVIEW APPEARED ON 26 April, 2012 in <i>FREE PRESS JOURNAL</i> ON THE NATION PAGE AS A LEAD INTERVIEW STORY.</b></span></div>
</div>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-12378243430086420582012-07-12T01:40:00.003-07:002012-07-12T01:40:38.836-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">‘No danger of N-skirmish in Asia’</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><b><span lang="EN-GB">The threat of nuclear
proliferation and terrorism has become a major cause of concern for the
international community. The issue has specific relevance with nuclear </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB">China</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span lang="EN-GB">, </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span lang="EN-GB"> and </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region></i><b><span lang="EN-GB"><i> in wake of their
chequered history of border and territorial disputes. Parjanya Bhatt spoke to
former Indian ambassador to Denmark and Ivory Coast, Neelam Deo, on the issue
of nuclear optimism and pessimism, and how India’s physical security dynamics
have changed over the years.</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rhtNBuS9L-GT0WmP6z2uJpc1GKAxu_wzNw67-Npf9lm_yBVy9N4MhyphenhyphenFwK8fFUeQO7KU3c90y8IYHjfZTC8j6vBPv0LftYiaSGqfI2q7paN00Q9fW2ENB5-6Wi4k_pNIyh00oWlisaDnm/s1600/agni+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rhtNBuS9L-GT0WmP6z2uJpc1GKAxu_wzNw67-Npf9lm_yBVy9N4MhyphenhyphenFwK8fFUeQO7KU3c90y8IYHjfZTC8j6vBPv0LftYiaSGqfI2q7paN00Q9fW2ENB5-6Wi4k_pNIyh00oWlisaDnm/s320/agni+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">1) </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">At a recently held Nuclear Summit 2012 in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Seoul</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">South Korea</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referred to nuclear terrorism.
Talking about nuclear terrorism, it clearly refers to groups like Al Qaeda and
anti-India terror groups based in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">.
Your first reaction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">ANS: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">This question has to be replied in the context of the turmoil within
Pakistan, which has increased the danger that some part of Pakistan’s nuclear
arsenal may fall into the hands of a group like Lasjker-e-Toiba or other
terrorist group or what is even more even worst that someone in the nuclear
establishment of Pakistan is himself a fundamentalist. This is something that
everyone is worried about. Even Americans have been very keen to train
Pakistani nuclear establishment in safety measures. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">2) </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">But the nuclear button is in the hands of the Pakistan Army who has
very close alliance with terrorist and fundamentalist groups. It is a very
dangerous situation for </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">New Delhi</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">ANS: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Yes, but the concern is not that the Pakistan Army or the civilian
government will make use of the nuclear bomb against </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> or
anyone else, but the nuclear technology falling into the hands of the
fundamentalist groups or some rogue person with the government or the military
establishment. I do not think that the army or the government will use against </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">3) </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">However, the optimistic nuclear observers argue that nuclearisation
in </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">South Asia</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> i.e. nuclear </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">
vis-à-vis </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> and nuclear </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> vis-à-vis </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">China</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> stops these government and the armies from waging full scale war
over their disputes. It is prohibitively risky. Your view.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">ANS: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">In case of India-China relations, the border has been peaceful for
past fifty years with the exception of some small incursions. I do not think
that the countries will have any nuclear exchange between them. It is to ensure
that such situation does not arise at any point of time. We do not expect </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Beijing</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> to use the
weapons against </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">New Delhi</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> or we using them against </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Islamabad</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> or </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Beijing</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">. </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> in
its nuclear doctrine has stated ‘no first use policy’. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB">It is also about the understanding between two nuclear powers. Both </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">
and the then Soviet </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Union</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> had great amount of understanding despite their hostilities during
the Cold War period. It would be good to have more interaction with both </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">China</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> and
</span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> on this crucial issue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">4) </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">However, the pessimistic argument is that, possession of nuclear
bomb actually stops adversary from taking any concrete action. Do you think the
nuclear factor in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Islamabad</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> is stopping </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> from taking any action and making </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">
vulnerable to acts like attack on Indian Parliament and Mumbai Terror Attack?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">ANS: </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">’s
nuclear doctrine is evidence enough that </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">New Delhi</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> is not
interested in nuclear exchange. However, our relation with </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">
is different from what US and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">USSR</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> had.
Now, should </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> be reckless enough to use cross border terrorism as a matter of
state policy. Of course not. Yes, we did not act militarily in the after math
of Parliament and Mumbai terror attack, but remember </span><st1:state><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Washington</span></st1:place></st1:state><span lang="EN-GB"> was
talking to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Islamabad</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> in wake of the Kargil war and quick to step in, in the aftermath of
2008 attack.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Big international players are acting to restrain </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">
in such eventualities. But both the sides should try and find common ground where
we can agree rather than disagreeing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">5) </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Are you saying that diplomacy is working for </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">New Delhi</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">ANS: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Yes, there have been incremental gains. However, no big gains. Trade
ties are expanding. It is a positive sign.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">6) </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">But core issues like </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Kashmir</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> and cross border insurgency remains to be resolved. Do you think nuclear
</span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> is a hurdle?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">ANS: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">The conflict with </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">
is historical and the issues are made complicated. </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Islamabad</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> wants to
status quo on </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Kashmir</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> cross border terror and other issues. If we are asking if </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Islamabad</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> is using
its nuclear status, then it is more to do with its friends in the West than
with against </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">. The blackmail comes in the form of lack of financial aid leading
to mismanagement and ultimately fundamentalists accessing the nuclear
technology.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB">However, nuclearisation remains a factor for </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> as
well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">7) </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">In the shadow of nuclearisation, the physical security dynamics of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">
have changed. What does the future hold for </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">
vis-à-vis both </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">China</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">ANS: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Yes, from non-nuclear states to now declared nuclear states, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">’s
security dynamics have changed. There have not been any positive development on
core issues between countries, but there have not been any negative development
as well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b>THE ABOVE INTERVIEW APPEARED IN <i>FREE PRESS JOURNAL</i> ON APRIL 3, 2012</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Photo Credit: Google</b></span></div>
</div>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-20019620326642090882011-12-31T02:01:00.000-08:002011-12-31T02:02:39.710-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CyJ5tHmtBQ/Tv7dNUgJ08I/AAAAAAAAAD8/3DTjVJV2Eac/s1600/arab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CyJ5tHmtBQ/Tv7dNUgJ08I/AAAAAAAAAD8/3DTjVJV2Eac/s320/arab.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Except turmoil</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Times;">expect nothing</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span><br />
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></b><br />
<div align="justify">
<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></b></div>
<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</b><br />
<div align="justify">
<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></b></div>
<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
</b><br />
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Except the second round of global economic gloom, 2011 gave America nothing but good news. It killed Osama bin Laden, dictators in the Arab World and North Korea fell automatically and American troops are out of Iraq. Unfortunately, Pakistan remains a problem in perpetuity. What remains to be seen is how America utilise these incidents of 2011 in the new year. And, how happy Osama bin Laden must be.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
First, as the upheavals of 2011 in the Arab world look to stretch into 2012 we can expect a more chaotic democratic process, more Islamists and more volatile trouble. Things will never be the same. The 40 years of dictatorial decay is no more, but has left an unclear political future for the Muslims of the Arabia. Many Arab dictators are gone, few are fighting hard to keep their power; but who is coming at the central leadership is unclear.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Expect no or very little action from America. Remember no major oil exporting country has suffered regime change except Libya, and that required outside intervention, but not American. As long as America gets enough oil for its automobile industry and oil prices are high enough for the oil exporters, neither America will be bothered nor will oil regimes be worried. Both can work together to fend off legitimate demands of political liberalisation.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The year 2012 will test America’s democratic impulse. It failed miserably with its pre-emptive war in Iraq and elections afterwards. The demand for greater political voice is not going away. It is speaking even louder. What remains to be seen is how the West reads the Arab world in coming days and how the western media portrays it.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Second, Osama bin Laden must be the happiest man as all Muslim dictators are gone without having him fight and sacrifice Muslims. But unfortunately, the Arab world is listening only to the democratic voice and more importantly Islamist groups like Muslim Brotherhood and its variants al-Nahda in Tunisia and Justice and Development Party in Morocco are moving in the same direction.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
However, al Qaeda, Iran and the official clergy of Saudi Arabia are the only voices who argue against democracy. This is a dangerous combination for the regional stability and in particular for winning hearts and minds of the masses that has been on the streets for over one year. Osama bin Laden idealised Muslim Brotherhood and made its philosophy a base for his personal jihad. So to say, how willing the Islamists will be to engage with America and American form of democratic politics and western style of economics. More importantly, America’s regional foreign policy goals than the autocrats they are replacing.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
At the same time while the Arab world has opened its doors to democracy, American cultural influence can’t be ruled out. Islamists may provide better governance than their predecessor, but if the aim is to govern society with the help of Sharia, it might well instigate America to act leading to a second wave of religious and cultural confrontation between America and the Arab world.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Third, the herd mentality of the Arab revolutionaries has depicted the political character of the entire region. The sentiment and collective opinion of the revolutionary nations will impact the Israel-Palestine conflict creating regional and international problems and not just local.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
If America involves itself in remaking the internal politics of the Arab world it will fail and if America plays on the Israeli side of the Arab politics it will fall on its face. The region’s political dynamics have changed. It is the mob and its sentiments that rule the revolutionary Arabs. It would be unfortunate if America has to use its military to force peace.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
It is only the third option of allowing Arabs to decide their political fate i.e. politics in tandem with the book. In other words, an Islamic form of democracy allowing both religion and politics to take the centre-stage to govern societies. However, the fork in the road is the same factor i.e. how the Muslim Brotherhood and others steer the political process.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
If the future political process is democratic without violence and much confusion, the Arab revolutionaries would win. But if the process turns violent and governed by the book it will be Osama bin Laden who would have the last laugh as the region would be thrown into chaos. The international community for sure does not want more trouble in the oil-rich region.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Democracy for the region is going to be a long road with many hurdles on the way.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Though much of American foreign policy in 2012 would be busy dealing with Middle East keeping in mind the upcoming presidential elections, both North Korea and Pakistan would require a much serious look.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear ambitions would need to be brought back on track. America must not make this isolated country to talk democracy just to make its presidential elections campaign much more interesting.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The discovery of Osama bin Laden from Pakistan is a much serious concern demanding that Pakistani army’s nexus with terror groups be dismantled. Expect more drone strikes, but no real change.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
It should be recognised that change is coming, but not stability. Both are mutually exclusive, but essential. Obama gave hope, but failed to bring change.</div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The "yes we can" speech has failed miserably and with American presidential elections next year expect some beautiful English and few surprises in US foreign policy as it seeks to reinstate its economic and military power.</div>
</div>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-53616393956225763762011-12-19T05:14:00.000-08:002011-12-19T05:14:53.026-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>China’s expanding naval footprint</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWRgbpeA5dZW3OJU3spodvMJ_yo01bnDBmj_7IXSv3jpCEDZK2EL67nizYUCbo2c4AZc53e63KwSB7qUgz0hNdqUOwZVEIufeHCXN-EG9Vj7l5K8hk6catjAFG4YRiuZWb5DVRufmoInF/s1600/chinese+Naval.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWRgbpeA5dZW3OJU3spodvMJ_yo01bnDBmj_7IXSv3jpCEDZK2EL67nizYUCbo2c4AZc53e63KwSB7qUgz0hNdqUOwZVEIufeHCXN-EG9Vj7l5K8hk6catjAFG4YRiuZWb5DVRufmoInF/s320/chinese+Naval.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
China’s naval footprint is growing bigger in the Indian Ocean Region and South China Sea. This should come as no surprise to India, America or to the entire South East Asian region. After gaining ground on the international economic platform and showcasing it’s non-aggressive posture – China has finally started to show her willingness exercise military force and assert regional hegemony.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
According to media reports, Chinese President Hu Jintao has given a call to country’s armed forces to prepare for a possible future war. The statement comes in wake of American President Obama’s diplomatic goal against China at recent Bali Summit in Indonesia where America pushed for discussion on disputed South China Sea Islands against latter’s will. Moreover, America has announced to station 2,500 troops in Australia. Beijing has reacted sharply saying that, “One should consider other countries interest in the region when developing its ties in the region.” While US Secretary Hillary Clinton’s visit to neighbouring Burma has sent strong message across the central leadership in Beijing that American re-engagement with the Burmese military junta could gravely endanger Chinese interest there.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
Bejing’s concerns are natural, so as American re-engagement of the South East Asian region.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
America, after engaging in two wars simultaneously created diplomatic, economic and military room for China. Her hegemonic ambitions that lay under the carpet gained momentum during the same period. The soft-power image that China created is slowly fading away. However, the only advantage Beijing has is her strong economic base making her a very credible military force unlike former Soviet Union of the Cold War era.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
While the Chinese leadership has maintained that, China as a socialist state will never seek hegemony or sphere of influence. According to Pentagon Defence report 2008 much uncertainty surrounds China’s future course over latter’s expanding military power and that China’s leadership is yet to explain in detail the purpose of the modernisation of its military capabilities.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
While it is hard to believe Beijing’s claim of it not harbouring any hegemonic ambitions –China’s military preparation is multipronged. With a very strong navy Beijing will be able to deny American forces any access in the South China Sea making former’s efforts of annexing Taiwan and disputed South China Sea Islands. Second, encircle India from Arabian Sea to Indian Ocean to the East Asia. And finally, the very encirclement would help secure sea lines on the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean Region.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
As China’s economy grows it has become symbiotic with the global market. Currently, 80 per cent of China’s oil imports transit the Malacca Strait, close to 25 per cent of Chinese export to Gulf and Europe use the same route. Therefore, Beijing’s long term goals are possible only with increasing stable access to foreign trade, resources and energy. The latter has become a pressing issue for China as the country’s dependence is growing on international energy imports.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
If China’s military preparation is from insecurity i.e. threat to her energy supplies point of view, which could hinder its economic progress Beijing is mistaken. However, her intensions are becoming clearer with the development of sea denial naval capabilities to regional and foreign navies. As Washington slowly comes out of Afghanistan and Iraq both China and South East Asia appear on its diplomatic and military radar. The question is how fast Washington will act.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
American foreign policy is at the crossroads of containment and/or (further) engagement of China.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Two things need to happen. First, America will have to act responsibly, but without giving priority to its rights. And second, China cannot afford to read misread regional and Washington’s intensions. Beijing will have to keep its nationalistic agenda aside over Taiwan and disputed islands.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
America is far more capable of manoeuvring regional geopolitics beyond Chinese imagination. China has risen economically, but new to power politics. Moreover, democracy could prove to be a very vital player in the region’s politics.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The democratic agenda of America could help India on several issues in the region. The question, how well and how fast Delhi exploits Washington. The recent development on Seychelles has raised eyebrows among Indian security analysts. But Indian government cannot afford to remain tight-lipped. However, India’s little or delayed response policy should not be misread.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
</div>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-58885285542301264552011-09-12T02:44:00.000-07:002011-09-12T03:03:28.751-07:00Fall of Arab Dictators<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOPyADf1tFi3513ZmXAFx4reLp6v8zxWa5b0J0ILM9uIHrg794pq0YtZXQMuW_wH4ZgZr-gHcyCxEgNJaJnBelzfpfQEI0qVVmR9bABcfJsDGdnTJ1On9YMr_N1PK42TUZJOA4-EPptca/s1600/Arab.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOPyADf1tFi3513ZmXAFx4reLp6v8zxWa5b0J0ILM9uIHrg794pq0YtZXQMuW_wH4ZgZr-gHcyCxEgNJaJnBelzfpfQEI0qVVmR9bABcfJsDGdnTJ1On9YMr_N1PK42TUZJOA4-EPptca/s400/Arab.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651408463562324642" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Arab dictators are falling like house of cards. The task that Osama Bin Laden could only dream about is now being achieved. Do not thank Osama for it. The credit goes to Mohammad Bouazizi, the disgruntled Tunisian street vendor who set himself to fire last December.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Two contrasting figures. First, Osama who killed innocents for his own good. And second, Bouaziz who by killing himself ignited the fire of freedom across the Arab world. Three autocrats have fallen and the fate of many is in balance.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">No there was no design or strategy to bring political change in the Arabia. May be the act of self-immolation was not targeted at the Tunisian dictatorship, but the ‘fiery protest’ is stone’s throw away from the bastion of Islamic politics i.e. Saudi Arabia.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Who is next in line is very difficult to predict. May be it is Shia` dominated Iran. Though Iran is a different political ball game, the democratic uprising would set a new trend for the entire Islamic world. But it would be interesting to see what happens next in Saudi Arabia. The socio-politico developments and American and European forces in these countries would decide the fate of Arab-Israel relations and of the entire Islamic world. The change is in the air for sure, but lot would depend on arrival of democracy or replacement of dictatorship with new generation of autocracy or interim military councils influenced by the West.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">But the moot points are:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">What took Arabs so long?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Are they tired of anti-west (American) politics and sentiments?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Do they really need democracy?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">But is Islam ready for it?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">And, what role America and Europe would play in the political transformation?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Cairo’s takeover was easy in contrast to what one would have imagined. So would Gaddafi fall and then Asad in Syria. But the real battle would start at the discussion table where different views would be discussed with western democratic model as an option.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Democracy is possibly the worst form of government, but the best available. Arabs would love tweeting their opinions and tag pictures on Facebook. After all, decades of monopoly in governance is coming to an end. However, the development and longevity of the freedom would always be under the shadow of different interest groups.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">There is very little or nothing about democracy in the Arab political history. It would be a mammoth task to maintain basic tenets of democracy and incorporate religion that would choke any possibilities of re-emergence of dictators, Islamisation or Americanisation of democracy. However, some Muslim countries outside the Arab world have experimented democracy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Pakistan, though ruled by military at regular intervals finds comfort with democracy. While, India and Indonesia with the world’s largest Muslim population are flourishing under democracy. Ethnic and religious diversity could be the spot spoiler, but democracy has made deep inroads in their social structure and mentality. May be something else is going on there.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Arab world has more or less remained united in the name of religion and anti-Americanism. But ethnic divisions ooze out regularly. Iraq has experienced some of the worst racial violence between Shia` and Sunni Muslims. But the country voted three times in 2005. Women in Kuwait have voting rights for the first time. The Kifaya movement openly challenged the legitimacy of the Mubarak regime and in 1980s the Tunisian regime abandoned its radical past and turned to economic reform.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">But the startling fact is that in the Arab world non-of the mentioned initiatives have produced a structurally enhanced quality of governance. Forget about democracy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">So to say, the Arab regimes are ‘liberalised autocracies’ that have managed to survive for so long. But keeping recent political protests and political reforms exerted by external forces, democracy is not hard to imagine.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">However, America would like to maintain its oil hegemony and influence Arab politics. And, doubts would remain whether the Islamist groups would go by the book or play by the rules of democratic political game. American and European forces will have to be faithful to the entire process. The naked interest over Iran and Israel could very well throw the entire region into panic.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">So far, the demand emanating is for ‘freedom from dictators’. Democracy is yet to take birth. And, if genuine democracy is to spread in the region, for the first time the governments would be answerable to their people.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">The political trajectories have suddenly changed. Hopefully for the better.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">In contrast to 9/11, 2001, this 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary is experiencing shockwaves across the Arab world. At least for now the Arab World has turned rubicon as against Osama’s green.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">PHOTO CREDIT: GOOGLE IMAGES</p>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-74902719790254746422011-07-05T05:18:00.000-07:002011-07-05T05:39:36.268-07:00India’s democratic edge over China<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Du2FGU9Ci9o6pN1BkuLLX6dL6n2ykeZ2w1Yrf08brQdAiuGktj6SlEIojfugxCSSWFfQQL2AIEsR9IaKSFsmOVVl2xbwwmV5qV8n8W8ZxSSkteVB_10HT8c_cUNTGb96sUIETlSeUr57/s1600/Anna.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Du2FGU9Ci9o6pN1BkuLLX6dL6n2ykeZ2w1Yrf08brQdAiuGktj6SlEIojfugxCSSWFfQQL2AIEsR9IaKSFsmOVVl2xbwwmV5qV8n8W8ZxSSkteVB_10HT8c_cUNTGb96sUIETlSeUr57/s400/Anna.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625846191289905586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOuYKDyn6VAN7sQLFZcHz3W5bq3Ae-VAtLM0djPvFsDS84CjE5DOco5J1DQ0nBFgH6Zu8qxXAHTdWvxpy5zYyMFgQY15gYuNZPelwiPhFiMvcqQ3z4IM6htADJTvZTil9IXEP9_5CL5DC/s1600/Wen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOuYKDyn6VAN7sQLFZcHz3W5bq3Ae-VAtLM0djPvFsDS84CjE5DOco5J1DQ0nBFgH6Zu8qxXAHTdWvxpy5zYyMFgQY15gYuNZPelwiPhFiMvcqQ3z4IM6htADJTvZTil9IXEP9_5CL5DC/s400/Wen.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625846092936482642" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height: 150%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">China and India – the two Asian giants are busy talking economy with the West. While the two economies have successfully accelerated the process of globalisation and diverted international economics to the region India continuous to suffer from corruption on the home turf and Chine faces international community over its human rights records. Despite this, what is it that keeps China ahead of India in the economic race? And, why would the latter will emerge as the better option?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">To the envy of many developing countries, China has in last 25 years lifted millions out of poverty, engaged continents economically, built a credible military force with strong and stable economy and is home to technological and infrastructural development. And, with ‘Four NO’s’ i.e. no hegemony, no power politics, no military alliance and no arms race – China has spread its charm offensive and become popular. This soothing image of China has blurred the image of many across the world.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">But the fact remains that China is an authoritarian state that oppresses its citizens, continuous to detain political prisoners from Tibet and arrest artists and journalists. While India is a born democracy with relatively better human rights record and freedom of press. And, above all India is home to the Tibet’s government in exile.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">As China continuous to please the international community with its economy, the soothing scenario of Chinese economy offers hope to many in the West about opening of its political system for possible future transformation. It is fashionable to remind China about democracy and human rights in mainland while signing trade agreements with the latter or fighting elections. Last week in London the British PM David Cameron reminded his Chinese counterpart about human rights abuse, democracy and violation of intellectual property rights. Former British PM Tony Blair in 2005 said, “There is unstoppable momentum towards democracy in China.” While in 1999 President George Bush called for economic freedom to form habits for liberty.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">There is optimism in these Western views that few years from now China with powerful and vibrant economy as today will succeed in becoming a democratic state with freedom for its press and respect for human rights. But China’s political system is still Leninist, run by communist party in hierarchical ascending circles with a central committee. As the country’s communist party is marking 90<sup>th</sup> birthday poverty is rampant outside Shanghai and Beijing.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">But behind the hope of China transforming politically, which is based on the soothing image rest its credible military might with strong economy unlike its communist predecessor Soviet Union who was a strong military power, but with weak economic base. Recent Chinese military advancement on sea, land and space has raised many eyebrows questioning Chinese intensions.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 150%; ">In a leaked cable from WikiLeaks recently revealed that China is hiding its military strength and intensions. </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: black; ">The cable further stated that the trend of China's military modernisation is beyond the scope of what would be required for a conflict over Taiwan. Arguably China already poses a credible threat to modern militaries operating in the region and will present an even more formidable challenge as its modernisation continues.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">But the bright side of Chinese modernisation is that the country’s leadership cannot afford to throw its millions of people back to poverty. And for further development of its economy China would require the West and the institutions that the latter built. In other words, China’s road to development runs through the West, which is democratic. However, no member of the international community would want to see China democratising only to descend into chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">This could complicate the situation by China adopting stricter approach towards human rights and creating hindrances in the process of globalisation. It is clearly understandable that why the West would not want to risk the world order.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">This offers China the strategic advantage over its Western countries, but India as the world's largest democracy has the inherent benefit over China. Indian democracy works because it welcomes everyone into its big tent - a habit that it developed during the years of its freedom struggle. The power and durability of the Indian ballot is significant. This has helped India survive its brief flirtation with authoritarian rule between 1975-77. While China's economy soars, in India growth may have been slow, but over a period of time it is certain and sustainable because of its democracy. Therefore, the political yoga by Baba Ramdev and fast unto death by Gandhian Anna Hazare - the Indian society is working to make Indian democracy function better for more progress.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The future is not just the growth rate, but human equality. India is neither East nor West, but a country that reflects universalism. It is the first modern nation of the emerging world where everything, but democracy rules.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo credit: Google Images.</span></p>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-74810526050362903922011-06-21T15:35:00.000-07:002011-06-21T15:40:19.559-07:00A walk on the ‘Curry Mile’<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHI8Wf8CC9uuU-d3bo7MJ0Ckr75x0HE9k1QzsVj97AyGYGkD0ZjUeO4fmMxLL9lFiu6EIzjSE-7OgLk54xO3bmWCMn-FMT9C12iqriKINptZWWxHuRoawAKckKPO7TQ7mv0tIeGfO_TGBC/s1600/DSC02539.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHI8Wf8CC9uuU-d3bo7MJ0Ckr75x0HE9k1QzsVj97AyGYGkD0ZjUeO4fmMxLL9lFiu6EIzjSE-7OgLk54xO3bmWCMn-FMT9C12iqriKINptZWWxHuRoawAKckKPO7TQ7mv0tIeGfO_TGBC/s400/DSC02539.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620806478879719090" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%">This is Manchester’s ‘Curry Mile’.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%">You can eat around the world on Curry Mile, sampling everything from Indian to Pakistani to Lebanese to Turkish to Afghan cuisine. There are sights and smells of South-Asia and Middle-East and there is fun-fare like scene. Restaurants flashing bright neon lights, Indian and Pakistani women dressed in silk kurti and saree, Muslim men dressed in traditional Shrvani and Pathani outfits, British born Desis speaking broken Hindi and Punjabi, Chinese trying to learn English and selling pirated DVDs of Bollywood movies and amidst all these local British population trying to find their place in this mini-Asia in Manchester.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%">The ‘Curry Mile’ is a modern and dynamic place with traditional Asian values that celebrates its rich mixture of origins, cultures, religions, languages and customs. It is a place where most of South-Asia, Middle-East and now North Africa find comfort. This is Wilmslow Road in Manchester better known as the ‘Curry Mile’. Reports suggest that <span class="apple-style-span">in the late 1950s and 60s, cafés on Wilmslow Road were the meeting place for huge number of men from the Asian subcontinent, who had been recruited to work in the textile mills and factories of Greater Manchester. But today, with the presence of huge number of students at the University of Manchester from across the world the face of the town has undergone a paradigm shift. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">BBC</i> report suggests that it took only 15 years for Rusholme to become a non-Asian living area to Asian dominated locality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%">Manchester’s journey from a textile trade centre to university hub has changed the demography of the town. The change resulted in not only mass exodus of local British families to other parts of the town, but lucrative business opportunities attracted Asian men to work at the textile mills in 1950s and 1960s and now international students flocking into the town. But many of the Indians and Pakistanis are from Uganda who were expelled from the country by Idi Amin and from Kenya now, holding British passport. Few Kashmiri Muslims who hesitate in spelling the word Azadi, but at the same time look at the brighter side of freedom enjoyed in UK and Gujarati Muslims from Bharuch and Surat in India. Gujarati Muslim females dressed in beautiful white, pink and sky blue burqas and men wearing white kurta and traditional Bohri-Islamic cap decorated in gold and silver thread.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%">From traditional shopping town offering English goods and textile products to Business owned by Asians to the recent inroads by supermarkets the Curry Miles appears to be undergoing another round of change. But with disappointed youth from various parts of Asia coming into Manchester, but Bollywood music and the food business keeps the spirit at Curry Mile alive. Bilal from Spice Kitchen a take-away owned by a Pakistani says, “At Curry Mile you feel at home. We have students from India and Pakistan coming to us as customer and they never give us a feeling that we are in the UK.” Whereas on the other hand Salman a student from Pakistan says, “UK is better from employment point of view as Pakistan is in turmoil and as the ‘Curry Mile’ gives you a feeling of a home away from home will stay here till situation gets better back home.” Salman is working part-time in a convenience store owned by Patel family from Gujarat in India.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%">Some knowledge of history of Britain’s international relations and little knowledge of South Asian and Middle Eastern language revels the issues discussed on the ‘Curry Mile’. From Bush to Obama to Osama to Kashmir to brilliant goal scored by Roony – everything is discussed over a cup of ‘chai’ – Indian tea and shisha with Bollywood music being played in the background.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%">But mouth watering smell of ‘chicken tikka’ and ‘chaat’ is tempting enough to take you away from some of the serious issues. David from Wembly says, “I have grown up eating Gujarati food and Indian ‘chaat’.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am visiting my friend here in Manchester and when I learnt that there is an Indian ‘chaat’ house I just popped in to taste some and now I have got used to with the spicy food from India.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%">Giles Burnett in his report suggests that until 1960s, Rusholme was an ordinary suburban shopping district occupying an obscure niche in the lower rungs of Greater Manchester’s retail hierarchy. Most shops occupied the ground floor of the late nineteenth-century building linings, but through an evolutionary process most shops have been converted into famous restaurants majority of them owned by Indians and Pakistanis. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%">A wander down Wilmslow Road reveals a bustling area filled with take-aways, grocers, boutiques and various other shops catering to Asian, Arabic and white clientele amongst others. But this patch of Manchester is different from rest of ‘White’ Manchester. A whole range of newly quarters have being promoted: Chia Town, the Gay Village, Salford Quays, Sport City etc. The Curry Mile though a stone’s throw away, has escaped the influence of British culture and has made space for Asian culture. Even the bus drivers running along the ‘Curry Mile’ are from different parts of Asia who speaks Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu with fluent English to deal with local British population and greets in Arabic with passengers from Middle East.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%">A second wave of change has come to ‘Curry Mile’ with supermarkets and influx of Arabs from North Iraq better known as Kurdishtan running call-on-taxi services. But the ‘Curry Mile’ is in no mood to lose its South Asian charm as this patch is overwhelmed by indian and Pakistani community and their vibrant cultural colour that comes with a tint of Britishness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-29259279154342102932011-05-04T06:44:00.000-07:002011-05-04T06:47:45.768-07:00The long haul begins<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwFsL8yUcz4iChwOVGzlEnbFyjIBNXvwhsq999J7L1YvxhenTv0xWSB3J9fUBt7i4z7FvbVFW8mGHUvmGkwr6Mgm0mQIkr_TR0bfv0lY440Ts2W_IEHRzInb2_CBqxXwtgTecTjeV0_sQ/s1600/Sunset.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwFsL8yUcz4iChwOVGzlEnbFyjIBNXvwhsq999J7L1YvxhenTv0xWSB3J9fUBt7i4z7FvbVFW8mGHUvmGkwr6Mgm0mQIkr_TR0bfv0lY440Ts2W_IEHRzInb2_CBqxXwtgTecTjeV0_sQ/s400/Sunset.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602856730918172066" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; ">Osma Bin Laden – the world’s most dreaded terrorist is dead, but leaves behind a legacy of violence, mass murder and ideology of hatred. An ideology of bloodshed and cruelty – only to be furthered by various Al Qaeda splinter groups and his second and third line of leadership.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">While his elimination brings jubilation to 9/11 victim families and many other across America, however is a grim reminder of his fundamentalist and radical ideology that has worked to pose Islam against other cultures. The roots of the hate ideology are not only to be traced the fundamentalist way, but the so called Americanisation of cultures, oil politics that White House has played over the years and the sheer neglect of Afghanistan in post Cold War years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Some might see this as the ‘beginning of the end game in Afghanistan’ and “justice delivered”. But the flip side of the coin according to Bin Laden and his followers has been withdrawal of American forces from the Arabian Peninsula, Arab land free from Jews and Christians and full stop to the invasion of American culture onto the Muslim lands. This is the ideological lineage that terror groups from Arabia have been following in order to further their agenda of hate and violence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Many scholars in post 9/11 world acknowledged Sayyid Qutb the Egyptian radical ideologist to be the intellectual godfather of Islamic movements like Al Qaeda and its activities like the WTC attacks. Now, that Osama is claimed to be dead and buried in the sea some of the major terror outfits from Pakistan have started giving fresh calls to the vulnerable sections of the Islamic society not by actions yet, but by gestures of leading the mass prayers dedicated to Osama Bin Laden. The presence of Hafeez Mohammad Saeed the leader of Jama’at-Ud-Dawa in Quetta, Pakistan is one such reminder of the strong presence of Osama’s ideology in his absence. His open support to Osama and Pakistan’s inaction is a clear indication of coming diplomatic conflicts between India-Pakistan, shifting war on terror from Afghanistan to Pakistan and latter’s tryst with ideological bomb that might implode any time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">While the ground battle continuous boosting America’s military hegemony to new heights it continuous to face questions over the battle against its own ideology of violence. Remember, while Osama was a terrorist that killed thousands – America does not personify peace to many. Osama’s death has come to pose many questions to America. What kind of economy is America? Coke for Oil? What kind of nation is it? Diplomacy of peace through barrel of the gun? And, what kind of nation you would want to become? A nation that seeks peace in SUVs? These are the answers with question marks and are equally applicable to rest of the international community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The countries in the Middle East and North Africa have just revolted against their dictators that were once supported by America and other Western countries. This could well be the new breeding ground for extremist forces. The <i>Christian Science Monitor</i>reports Libya possibly be the new heaven for Al Qaeda forces with Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt not far away. The political and security equations have become even more complicated with Osama’s absence as revenge seekers are expected to strike. It is hard to think that extremist forces will miss the pleasure in revenge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The world was never safe with Osama, but in his absence has become even more uncomfortable with countries raising the security levels and making precautionary arrests. The mascot of international terrorism has been eliminated, but the war on terror continuous with his ideology that is deep rooted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">It took almost 10 years to find and kill Osama, but will require more than 100 years to erase his ideology. He lives in hearts and minds of many, but not all. His words have spoken louder than his actions forcing many to join <i>his</i> Jihad. And, he will continue to survive on YouTube and Face Book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Former American President George Bush in <i>his</i> address to the Congress shortly after 9/11 said, “Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen.” The long haul seems to have begun. Perhaps the most difficult part of the war will be breaking the hypnotic effects of Osama.</span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Picture credit: Google Images.</span></span></div>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-85164926939068537922011-04-26T13:38:00.000-07:002011-04-26T14:04:17.647-07:00The Tri-Colour sweeps India<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_LyzHbPQKVSlcI60n1tDhyWjQPqbrBG_IfANkPp3mqIHkMSN3EJgHVQw_XCMM6tjV0YWXOa_dH6GOh7nnU77-2IREWxqP20-CV3uTFFb43WNiESMiWqlNx2KZSs7E8GQZNkX6HEEBePl/s1600/Sachin-Tendulkar-Pays-Homage-To-Sathya-Sai-Baba-Photos-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_LyzHbPQKVSlcI60n1tDhyWjQPqbrBG_IfANkPp3mqIHkMSN3EJgHVQw_XCMM6tjV0YWXOa_dH6GOh7nnU77-2IREWxqP20-CV3uTFFb43WNiESMiWqlNx2KZSs7E8GQZNkX6HEEBePl/s400/Sachin-Tendulkar-Pays-Homage-To-Sathya-Sai-Baba-Photos-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600000869479947458" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; line-height: 18px; ">Past few months have been extremely eventful for India. The mass and the media have been busy with the filth of corruption. Team Dhoni brought some cheer for the country with their cricket world cup victory, Anna Hazare revolted against the dishonesty of the Indian polity with his Gandhigiri reminding Indians the real issues and now the death of Sathya Sai Baba is sweeping Indian society.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%"><span class="Apple-style-span">The common factor? The tri-colour that soared high at Wankhede, at Jantar Mantar and now to be used for the state honours of Sathya Sai. While every Indian is still busy with cricket and watching Sachin Tendulkar both at the IPL and in Puttaparthi we missed him at Jantar Mantar with Anna. This is true not only for him, but for the entire Indian cricket team that made the country proud. An opportunity lost by the team India that could have heat a master stroke with Anna’s delivery with Indian Political League is in a week position.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%"><span class="Apple-style-span">If joining Anna was tiring after a month long cricket campaign Twitter and blogging is not. If it was, why the men in blue pounced upon to their IPL campaign? And while Sachin can visit Sathya Sai in Puttaparthi for his last images then why not Jantar Mantar where the new revolution against the cancer of corruption took place? How could the entire Indian cricket team miss the episode?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%"><span class="Apple-style-span">Indian cricketers are known for their corporate alliance and have stayed away from politics. But in 2009 they showed their protest against the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan players in Pakistan and in 2008 expressed support to their coach Gerry Kirsten on the sad demise of his mother by wearing black arm bands. Why not the same at IPL? Why not for India? While Anna’s fast jolted the government at centre things could possibly be political for team India as their road to ICC runs through BCCI.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%"><span class="Apple-style-span">While India is basking in the glory of cricket victory it should be born in mind that large parts of the country is facing the heat of political dishonesty and the pocket of the common Indian is being used to shower money onto wealthy cricketers. A one line statement by the Indian cricket team in support of Anna’s movement would have done more for their billion followers. This could have possibly set the stage for their post-cricket career, but Bollywood and corporate sector has better and lucrative offers. The players have not denied their iconic status and from being called the ‘god of cricket’ and will not deny national awards like Bharat Ratna.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%"><span class="Apple-style-span">But the players are not to be blamed completely as one of the biggest jokes about democracy comes from senior political leaders of the present government. According to Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar the recent movement at Jantar Mantar could undermine the process of democracy. How could a peaceful (Gandhian) movement harm the democracy? May be the Lok Pal bill has many more hurdles to go through.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Democracy is the game of your followers and you following them. The Indian mass is followed everywhere for the votes and to sell products. Now, as India is busy with Anna Hazare and Sathya Sai, and Sachin with IPL and his Guru it is time for Sachin and his team mates to reciprocate to their followers with some social work. This should help the government to make changes and award our cricketers with Barat Ratna. May Sathya Sai help Anna Hazare, team India and Indian politicians.</span></span><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Picture credit: Google Images.</span></span></div>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-26069911732884296712011-03-08T05:32:00.000-08:002011-03-13T05:44:38.670-07:00Democracy Version 2.0<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaLbpthueaDOwjZ0EPu9tBoREawNBfsLx0SJlbXmRhdgQdrOKTbyep8a78r6UTwo6Xk-az6xY0qOigvI1lVR265yoZZM233m37ZC85DMk9_y8tYn1jw-CCbFBOiMgeq0LJaUtzEQNN7OK/s1600/Egyptian+Revolution.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaLbpthueaDOwjZ0EPu9tBoREawNBfsLx0SJlbXmRhdgQdrOKTbyep8a78r6UTwo6Xk-az6xY0qOigvI1lVR265yoZZM233m37ZC85DMk9_y8tYn1jw-CCbFBOiMgeq0LJaUtzEQNN7OK/s400/Egyptian+Revolution.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583544543661332418" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:115%">Democracy Version 2.0<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Hosni Mubarak, a figure larger than the Egyptian ‘Pharaoh’ has been brought down. The change has come to Egypt and now spreading across the Arab world.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">But what next is the big question. The people of Egypt face an uncertain future. Can Egyptians work together or decent into anarchy or civil war? Will the Islamists take control and rework alliance with the West and Israel? Or will it be the military council continuing its present role?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">While democracy promotion is not new to Egypt, but Tahrir Square has put the entire Arab world on the path of democratisation that has been suppressed by country dictators. The process of democratisation started in the year 2005, but for the very first time in decades social unrest in Egypt has shifted to decidedly anti-regime political unrest as opposed to riots.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Fortunately the revolution has remained more or less calm. But amidst the uprising euphoria concerns remain over the transit period. Former ministers are being put on judicial trial, old Prime Ministers being replaced with the new one, dissolution of Mubarak’s National Democratic party remains and the political detainees are still behind the bars.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Two things are unclear from this. First, the change is far from complete. And second, what are the long term prospects for Egypt? The people of Tahrir are not guaranteed a democratic and stable future unless free and fair elections are not conducted and much depends upon the authorities and they deal with the uprising democratic euphoria.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">As Egypt has won Cairo more challenges await. The change is incomplete and likely to leave its hangover. India’s 60 years of experience with democracy tells the true story of freedom and discontent. The feeling of discontent among Indians is probably at its peak. While freedom flourishes in every possible form.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">The Tahrir protestors complained about Mubarak regime’s iron fist rule, economic corruption and social suppression of the society. All in all hatred for Mubarak’s monopoly of power of over 30 years. Most Indians would list the same grievance about the independent democratic India. With several scams emerging with government’s involvement everything is up for grabs. The news media is blamed for political lobbying; judges are being arrested and jailed for bribery, government ministers jailed for political and business favouring. The three main pillars of democracy are deeply involved in corruption as a result of which the forth pillar i.e. the society i.e. the mass is feeling cheated. This could jeopardise the very social fabric of the society.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Democracy even if achieved will not solve Egypt’s problems overnight or even in next few decades. Democracy is an evolving process. Egypt invites expectations from the West as it enjoys economic, political and military strategic importance. At the same time it would have expectation from the Arab world, the international Islamic society over the issue of Israel-Palestine. With Mubarak gone, Egypt is busy removing his impression from every government institution, but before the regional expectations are met and ‘demubarakasition’ carried it is important for Cairo to fix rising food prices and youth unemployment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">There is long road to stable democracy, but in the Middle East – Egypt is best suited for democracy with its intellectual class, enterprising middle class, unique culture, five Noble prize awardees and most importantly the growing demand for democracy. Both American and Indian democracies are gifts of the colonial rule of centuries. They are peaceful but not perfect, there is progress and not chaos, there is corruption not destruction and there is rule of law and not governed by the book, military or a dictator. Mosques and Churches function together so does Burqua and bikini.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">These elements are simple, but the implementation is difficult. The testing times have started for the people of Tahrir Square. In the lengthy procedure of ‘bringing’, developing, maintaining and protecting democracy Egypt’s liberal society, economic prospects and its seat in the Arab world, the West and conflicts in the neighbourhood offers the best opportunity to Cairo to leapfrog American and Indian version of democracy with its democracy version 2.0. The best tool at Egypt’s disposal is internet providing it the gateway to the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Tahrir has not only dethroned a dictator, but has set a trend for the Arab world and a chance to dismiss the ridicule of the Islamic society that has come to be associated with religious extremism in the post 9/11 world.</span></p>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-7226961048601634682010-02-14T08:47:00.000-08:002010-02-14T08:49:25.588-08:00Following eight copies are the work done at DNA Newspaper on the World Desk and City Desk.Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-37099796251884253672010-02-14T08:46:00.001-08:002010-02-14T08:46:53.002-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSHjlWJob0D8pQr9PQri_ox2w16G5ycEkV4WNboZ7OzTtVT-3lUeM1PcB4a9W3mgU0pZ7_s7rXZYjmxWASk22_vfwl4WldYl7LbmXy_MI_NHcOjHxmEIiCgLN_PpCryFAYXfBv1rEFFFR/s1600-h/Mumbai+Terror+Attack.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 107px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSHjlWJob0D8pQr9PQri_ox2w16G5ycEkV4WNboZ7OzTtVT-3lUeM1PcB4a9W3mgU0pZ7_s7rXZYjmxWASk22_vfwl4WldYl7LbmXy_MI_NHcOjHxmEIiCgLN_PpCryFAYXfBv1rEFFFR/s320/Mumbai+Terror+Attack.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438141582132854258" /></a>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042958200907038852.post-30639499542667346462010-02-14T08:45:00.002-08:002010-02-14T08:46:19.097-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnwU2GVMIpo7nzh_JM-Vf8YSbkkAirflFQl8ObbSBprWuQEAicPdEF16wTstQj7baiq4_O3_IEzoHgSx53sF541XdkjheGZKVR8qsoAqjNvwhuS34n8jx7smXWkKcNbNP7QVdDDmcyfci/s1600-h/Turmoil+in+the+neighbourhood+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnwU2GVMIpo7nzh_JM-Vf8YSbkkAirflFQl8ObbSBprWuQEAicPdEF16wTstQj7baiq4_O3_IEzoHgSx53sF541XdkjheGZKVR8qsoAqjNvwhuS34n8jx7smXWkKcNbNP7QVdDDmcyfci/s320/Turmoil+in+the+neighbourhood+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438141449194538946" /></a>Parjanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889704627384802804noreply@blogger.com0