There is no alternative for India to grow itself stronger, both economically and militarily, to earn respect from this world
by Ankineedu Prasad Nallapati*
Trump administration’s crude push is leading India to scramble for readjustment of its foreign policy options, though, it appears to have limited elbow room.
The just concluded summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin, China has provided Prime Minister Modi the backdrop for re-connecting to President Xi and re-working with President Putin to enhance bilateral relations to tide over the new complications.
Modi, however, has taken utmost care not to disturb India’s cozy relationship with its other partners like Japan. He visited Tokyo en route to Tianjin and signed multiple agreements for increased cooperation in semiconductors and high-speed railways with Japan investing 10 trillion yen ($67 billion) over the next decade.
While Xi sounded highly promising in re-building the bilateral relationship, the optics have not given any signs of China showing much attention to India at the conference.
While Xi’s meetings with heads of other countries, including that of Central Asia and Turkiye, were covered on front pages of Peoples’ Daily and other major papers, his meeting with Modi was relegated to inner pages. Easing of visas and resuming direct flights are not really a substitute.
Indian media, as usual, has been beating the drum of a highly successful visit with Modi sending a message to Trump, a warning to Pakistan and a reminder to China.
The condemnation of the terrorist killings in Pahalgam in the summit statement is being held as an achievement, which is not. India is in fact seen as the bruised party both in the terrorist act and also in its much publicized Op: Sindoor against Pakistan, depicting it as a weaker power.
Not many in the SCO group have much sympathies for India. Even the Caucus nation, Armenia, which India strongly supported in its wars with Azerbaijan, went on to establish diplomatic relations with Pakistan overnight at the SCO summit.
India To Be Realistic
External influence is commensurate with its inner strength. Self-aggrandizement will not buy us any respect or any tangible benefits. We, in India, have a `larger than life’ image of ourselves and both Trump and Xi have shown us our place.
The US has long valued India as a key element of its policy of China containment but it has no such significance in Trump’s world order. China, long down and isolated, had piggy-backed India, then led by Jawaharlal Nehru, to earn a respectable position in the comity of nations. It soon burnt the bridges with its war in 1962 and persistent border provocations.
With India now falling out with the US, Xi is only happy to have it on its side in his bigger battle with Trump. Modi moving closer to China will only attract more wrath of Trump, despite the fact that the latter himself is cozying up to Presidents Xi and Putin.
Even the European Union (EU), including our best friend France, have issued a statement to impose secondary sanctions on India, and others, for continued purchase of oil from Russia.
We’re living in a ruthless world where nationalist leaders do not hesitate even for a moment to cut out anyone, notwithstanding their best relations, in case he is seen to be of no use in their current scheme of things.
The adage, “there are no permanent friends or foes, only permanent interests,” needs to be changed as even interests keep changing with individuals and times.
India To Strengthen Itself Quietly
There is no alternative for India to grow itself stronger, both economically and militarily, to earn respect from this world.
It has to happen quietly and in a more humble way. Premature claims to major power status and economic stature, however, are counterproductive and dangerous as there will be several forces that will try to prevent it happening.
Even now, the Modi government is making tall claims of `global leadership’ in semiconductors, even before making one chip indigenously. That is certainly to be the goal but chest thumping would not make it a reality.
The BJP government has provided much needed political stability to the country that helped it to achieve major economic and military goals. The leadership will do much better for the country by working hard with less pomp and pageantry.
India needs to work with all major powers, both the US, China, Europe and Russia. It cannot succeed in reaching our goals by choosing one over the other.
Yes, India today matters less for Trump’s America. It is unlikely to last long as Trump has limited shelf life and current spat will pass sooner or later. It helps to keep low profile until then, without reacting to foolish assertions of his infamous aides.
Meanwhile, India may continue to work with all other willing nations, including China, and get the best out of these relationships to reach our desired goals.
(*Ankineedu Prasad Nallapati is President of the Hyderabad-based think-tank, `Deccan Council for Strategic Initiatives’, and former Additional Secretary to Govt of India)
