THE HISTORY
26 May 2014 is not just a milestone but also a turning point in post independence India & it will go down in history as the day when British finally left India.
Let me clarify: it was a well known fact that the Congress rule in India was nothing short of the continuation of the British Raj. Narendra Modi’s victory in the elections marked the end of a long era in which the structures of power did not differ much from the time Britain ruled the subcontinent.
Narendra Modi is the first non-Lutyens’ Prime Minster of India who was born in Independent India and next to Lal Bahadur Shastri is well connected to the roots of India: villages.
“A leader must be concerned about the country, not about himself.”
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister elect, made his maiden foreign policy statement by inviting all the heads of state/government of India’s neighbours and in doing so he had undone his criticism as being a hardliner.
THE BACKGROUND
Eight years ago, the late K. Subrahmanyam, one of India’s leading strategic thinkers, began one of his many book chapters with a quote from George W. Bush on the U.S.-India nuclear deal at a press briefing in March 2006. “What this agreement says is things change, times change, that leadership can make a difference,” Bush said at the time.
Even if most of us accept Bush’s general premise, few – perhaps even Subrahmanyam himself – could have foreseen the burst of activity and pace of change in Indian foreign policy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ushered since his election last year.
While being the Chief Minister of Gujarat for over 12 years, Narendra Modi, under sanction from Western states like the United States made several foreign trips to foster his business links with major Asian economic powers.
This included meeting Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe twice in 2007 and 2012 and building a personal rapport. He also reached out for investment deals with China and Israel,who sought to increase economic ties beyond defense and agriculture.
Modi’s first foreign policy outlook were revealed during the run up for the Prime Ministerial candidature in his party in 2013 when he in a Network18 program called ‘Think India, Dialogue Forum’ had outlined the following points: • Improving relations with immediate neighbours would be his priority, as peace and tranquility in South Asia is essential for realizing his development agenda. • Pledged to introduce the concept of para diplomacy in India where each states and cities would have liberty to forge special relation status with countries or federal states or even cities of their interest.
• Bilateral trade to dominate the relations with most countries except few important global powers with which India shares a strategic partnership.
Modi further responded to the many congratulatory messages and phone calls from most world leaders that he received in the aftermath of his historic election victory.
Even before he formally took charge of office Narendra Modi, Prime Minister elect, had made his maiden foreign policy statement by inviting all the heads of state/governmentof India’s neighbours and in doing so he had undone his criticism as being a hardliner.
Personally, as an NRI, I see a massive raise of pride for India among NRIs & PIOs, which was not seen before. To be specific, forget NRIs even people in India never knew where it’s prime minister is traveling, for what and when except on three occasion. During Sharm el-Sheikh blunder, named as “DehatiAurat” & finally when his own party Vice President insulted him and his cabinet on camera while he was on foreign soil.
THE MISSION
“India Needs a More Ambitious Foreign Policy”
“So let me ask you: does this look like diplomacy as usual?” Jaishankar said
With his background as successful CM of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, knows it well that to make INDIA a strong and prosperous nation, economics is the core issue.
It needs to be on top priority for government and to achieve a robust growth, trust with other nation needs to be established.
Unfortunately in last 10 years, Ministry of External Affair was more like an “Award Ministry” for the loyalty a person show towards the dynasty.
Modi knows it well that living in isolation with defensive nature is not an answer in today’s world where business is paramount for any nation. A successful and trustworthy business model can only bring stability, strength and security to India.
Soon after Modi government took over the office, important world leaders expressed their willingness to work with Narendra Modi government to strengthen their relations with India as it provides them a big market and these were P5 nations namely China, US, UK, France & Russia.
Modi divided world map not as dictated by World but based on India’s need which includes economics, national security, energy security to name a few.
THE TEAM – FAMOUS FIVE
Narendra Modi who is known to do his homework before setting out his foot to outside world, knows that to have a robust foreign policy, a strong team is required. He appoints one of BJP senior most leaders, Sushma Swaraja as Minister of External Affairs, the first woman to hold the MEA office since Indira Gandhi.
Ajit Doval, a seasoned intelligence officer and an expert on India’s neighbourhood was handed over the charge of National Security Advisor. He had previously served as the Director of the Intelligence Bureau.
On 28 January 2015, Modi government sacked Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and appointed Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in her place.
Jaishankar was then serving as India’s ambassador to the United States. Modi himself is believed to be unhappy over Singh’s ability to lead the foreign office and on the other hand impressed by Jaishankar’s diplomatic skills in turning the flagging relationship with US into a flourishing partnership.
Finally Gen VK Singh, an Ex-Army chief who has spent most of his military career in Special Force role and has expertise in crisis management was handed over MoS role in MEA, the sample of General’s ability on ground was displayed “Operation Rahaat”in Yemen which happens to be one of world largest & safest rescue operation.
If you carefully look at appointments in MEA, they were based on pure merit, need of hour basis, not political affiliations. All 4 key appointee makes MEA one of the most result-oriented foreign office in Independent India.
THE STRATEGY
As a simple analogy, I always use… when we move to a new house our first task is to secure house and its occupants from outside threats and adventures. The decoration and setting up internal area is next step. Securing India from outside threats was the top priority. To achieve the same, India needs to build trust with immediate neighborhood and the extended one in Indian Ocean region.
India is one of most diverse country but unfortunately we adopted the methodology of “one shoe fit all” foreign policy. This was one of prime reason why we were on back foot all the time with all almost every nation including small nations like Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh to name a few.
Modi adopted a more robust and dynamic approach. He divided world map not as dictated by World but based on India’s need which includes Economic, Inward and Outward Investment, national security, buffer zone for India’s border, deep assets, Energy security to name a few.
It is said, “when force is applied within, a life is born when outside, a life is lost.”
“Modi’s foreign visits in the last 15 months, including United States, have made a huge global impact and things at the ground level might not be seen in the present time in India but in the long run it will bring huge benefits,” Phil Scanlan, Chairman of New York Global Leaders Dialogue said.
In next five posts, we will try to decode “Narendra Modi, The Diplomat”, focused on India’s Foreign Policy Initiatives and why India need multiple approach followed by Modi overseas visits and it’s tangible results.
(Dr. Gaurav Pradhan is CIO, Data Scientist, Digital Strategist & Advisor, Professional Speaker, and is ranked in the top 10 CIO. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of News World India.)
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