The world politics is in a fix. The most important factor for this sea change is the irresponsible and maverick policies of US President Donal Trump. It is an accepted fact that no two days are alike. It is also a reality that political situations change in an unpredictable manner.
The 11 year long political games of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have brought India to a precarious situation. Donald Trump, the bosom friend of Modi, is chiefly responsible for this. Now Modi would be regretting his old slogan, “Abki Bar, Trump Sarkar”. The ongoing China visit of PM Modi, after a gap of seven years, is a desperate step fraught with dangers. It is proved that America is not a dependable friend. Utmost care should be taken regarding such dangers from China, which has been emerging as a new world power with expansionist designs. China is at least 50 years ahead of India in the economic field. Its GDP is about $19 trillion, while India’s is around $4 trillion.
The turn of events had brought India and China to face each other in 1962. This was because of differences on McMohan Line. It would have been better for both neighbours if they had not delayed the settlement of border disputes. Adjustments and give-and-take policy is always good for mutual relations of sovereign states.
India had to face Doklamand Galwan skirmishes with China. Because of internal compulsions PM Modi could not show ‘red eyes’ to his Chinese counterpart. To the contrary, he had declared unequivocally that “Neither anyone has entered our territory nor would anyone be allowed to attempt this.”
Power intoxicates and absolute power intoxicates absolutely. Such is the position of China now. It was economically at par with India up to 1980. But it is now very far ahead of us. It boasts of having 30 percent production of the world. India’s imports from China are around $113 billion while Indian export to China is worth merely $14 billion. In this way our annual trade deficit with China is around $100.We are in this weak position because of our defective foreign policy we cannot force China to treat us as its equal. If Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) objectives are followed in true spirits, India and China both can be benefited. This is important in the changed context when Trump has spurned us and is hell bent on denigrating Prime Minister Modi and thereby India also.
In the changed circumstances, India should move with great caution but not at the cost of national dignity and self-respect. Both India and China are closest neighbours. They together have more than one-third of the world population (India 146 crore, China 144 crore). If our two countries cooperate, they can not only be benefited but be able to promote peace, and play a constructive role in bringing achche din for the whole world.
Cooperation should be the mantra, and conflict and throat-cut competition must be avoided at all cost.
At this juncture Indians must support Modi and his efforts to get the cooperation of China in spite of the fact that most Indians want an end to the BJP’s misrule based on anti-undemocratic policies, hate, discrimination and communalism.