US President Donald Trump is busy in his usual pastime of destabilising the world. The world is appalled and feels itself at its wits’ end on arbitrary moves of Trump. The US people also are feeling the heat.
India is in a very difficult situation, because of unjust tariffs imposed by Trump. Trump is not satisfied only on imposing theseterrifying tariffs. He is arm-twisting India on our purchase of Russian oil. Is it a sin which we alone are committing? This arm-twisting has forced us to stop our oil purchase from Russia. Is Trump a king of old times or a democratically elected president?
It is satisfying that India is searching for new export destinations. Our efforts to improve our relations with our competitors, and in a way rival China, are also underway. The prevailing circumstances demand that we improve our relations with all our neighbours. It is a fact that China has occupied thousands of square kilometres of our territory. If not immediately, in near future we must try to amicably settle the border dispute. Likewise, we should try to mend our fences with our neighbour Pakistan. It is in our own interest, and also inthe interest of our neighbour which possesses nuclear weapons. The 4-day military conflict with Pakistan a few months back must have taught a lesson to Pakistan, and to us also, that war does not solve any problem.
There are immense possibilities about cooperation with this closest neighbour. There are unlimited opportunities to develop business relations with Pakistan. Which has a big population of 25-crore and occupies an important place among Muslim countries. This requires large-heartedness and broadmindedness on both sides. We are a big and the most populous country of the world. We have the potential to become a great power and set an example of good neighbourly relations for the whole world. In addition to mutual benefits, we can reduce our defence expenditure which eats up about 20% of our national budget. Extra funds can be utilised for developmental activities. The same principle applies to Bangladesh also. We must respect its independence and avoid the unnecessary interference in its internal affairs. Peaceful coexistence must be the yardstick on both sides.
In this context we can learn a positive lesson fromTaliban of Afghanistan. They have initiated improvementof relations with India. It can be understood that there might have been initiatives from our side also. It is a welcome step that theBJP has understood the strategic importance of Afghanistan. The Afghan people must be appreciated for their valour and courage. During the last 40 years they have successfully fought, one after another two great powers, Russia and America. These two super powers had to face humiliating defeat in the hands of a small and poor nation.
In this context this must be understood that the belligerent attitude of Pakistan is unfortunate. It is not in its own interest. Pakistan can reduce its excessive defence expenditure which has pushed it to almost bankruptcy. Being a bigger power, India must show greater tolerance and sagacity.
War does not solve any problem. Reconciliation, cooperation and broadmindedness opens the doors of peace and prosperity. The conquests of peace are far greater than those of wars.