Geopolitics

‘India deserves a much higher, deeper, wider profile & global role’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi harps on ‘unprecedented trust’ as he emplanes to US for showcasing India’s smart and soft power prowess. By Rajesh Roy, Brendan Moran and Gordon Fairclough NEW DELHI—Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ties between New Delhi and Washington are stronger and deeper than ever as India moves to secure what he sees as its rightful place on the world stage at a moment of geopolitical turmoil. “There is an unprecedented trust” between the leaders of the U.S. and India, Modi said in an interview ahead of his first official state visit to Washington after nine years in office. He hailed growing defense cooperation between the two countries as “an important pillar of our partnership,” which he said extends to trade, technology and energy. In Washington this week, Modi is expected to complete deals to manufacture jet-fighter engines in India to power advanced light combat aircraft, and to purchase high-altitude armed Predator drones from the U.S. in a multibillion-dollar agreement to boost surveillance efforts over the Indian Ocean and near its disputed border with China in the Himalayas. As the West squares off against Moscow and, increasingly, China, New Delhi stands to gain. Washington has courted India hoping that it will be a strategic counterweight to Beijing. The U.S. has moved to deepen defense ties even as New Delhi makes large purchases of Russian oil at discounted prices, providing financial support for Moscow as it wages war in Ukraine. Modi—who gives many speeches but fewer news conferences and interviews—spoke with The Wall Street Journal about India’s foreign policy, its efforts to build a more modern and sustainable economy and a range of other topics in a nearly hourlong interview in his office at his sprawling official residence in the heart of New Delhi. Overall, Modi’s message was that—from India’s role in global politics to its contributions to the world economy—the country’s time has come. He sought to portray New Delhi as the natural leader of the global South, in sync with and able to give voice to developing countries’ long-neglected aspirations. “India deserves a much higher, deeper and wider profile and a role,” said Modi, wearing a yellow kurta and light-brown jacket. Peacocks squawked in the garden outside. The 72-year-old leader called for changes to the United Nations and other international organizations to adapt them for an increasingly multipolar world order and to make them more broadly representative of the world’s less-affluent nations and their priorities, from the consequences of climate change to debt reduction. Unlike the vision of nonalignment advanced by Indian leader Jawaharlal Nehru in the early years of the Cold War, Modi’s foreign policy is one of multiple alignments, seeking to advance India’s interests in partnership with a range of global powers, including those in conflict with each other. Modi is one of India’s most popular prime ministers. He and his Bharatiya Janata Party won nationwide elections in 2014 and 2019 by comfortable margins. With national elections due next year, Modi’s approval rating is high. Political opponents and human-rights advocates have accused Modi’s party, which has roots in Hindu nationalism, of fostering religious polarization and democratic backsliding, pointing to issues such as restrictions on the press and removal of the special status of Indian-administered Kashmir to more closely integrate the Muslim-majority region into the country. Modi said that India not only tolerates but celebrates its diversity. “For thousands of years, India has been the land where people of all faiths and beliefs have found the freedom to coexist peacefully and prosper,” he said in a statement. “You will find people of every faith in the world living in harmony in India.” On the economic front, Modi has won praise for eliminating bureaucracy, relaxing rules and opening the way for more foreign direct investment. The country has surpassed China as the world’s most populous. What’s more, its population is young, promising a significant demographic dividend. The government has invested enormously in education and infrastructure, and it is poised to gain as multinationals look to diversify manufacturing and supply chains in an era of geopolitical tension. A new Apple store drew a crowd in Mumbai in April as the company expanded its investment in India. PHOTO: DHIRAJ SINGH/BLOOMBERG NEWS Apple is among the companies making significant new investments in southern India, with supplier Foxconn Technology Group planning new facilities in the states of Karnataka and Telangana and expanding iPhone production in the state of Tamil Nadu. “Let me be clear that we do not see India as supplanting any country. We see this process as India gaining its rightful position in the world,” Modi said. “The world today is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. To create resilience, there should be more diversification in supply chains.” One thing India and the U.S. share are relationships with China that have grown increasingly fraught in recent years, marked by deepening military and economic rivalries. For India, that challenge is at its doorstep, with rising tensions centering around its decadeslong dispute with Beijing over the 2,000-mile border separating the two countries, known as the Line of Actual Control. The countries have been building infrastructure and deploying more troops in the region since a deadly 2020 clash in the Himalayas. Indian officials have blamed China for violating border agreements, and the two countries have held 18 rounds of military talks since 2020 aimed at preventing the dispute from spiraling into wider conflict. “For normal bilateral ties with China, peace and tranquility in the border areas is essential,” Modi said. “We have a core belief in respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, observing the rule of law and peaceful resolution of differences and disputes. At the same time, India is fully prepared and committed to protect its sovereignty and dignity.” China’s Defense Ministry didn’t respond to a request for comment sent via the State Council Information Office. In drawing closer to Washington, the Indian government has had to overcome deep skepticism about the U.S. that dates back to the Cold War, when New Delhi became more closely aligned with Moscow after Washington declined to supply arms to India in 1965. The U.S. instead became a military backer

Geopolitics Leadership

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India, smart power in the making!

G-2 – US and India – super power grouping may not work for either side. Emerging and critical tech at fulcrum of bilateral engagement K.A.Badarinath The very talk of stitching up G-2 super power group between US and India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit is rather an unforgettable moment. In a fluid global situation, whether G-2 would finally be reality or not is something for geo-strategic experts to analyse, separate grain from chaff and derive the implications. US press has been abuzz with possibility of President Joe Biden ably assisted by secretary of state Jake Sullivan to bring focus to the idea of G-2 – US and India – forming a super power group. This is akin to what was talked about in early ‘80s by the US security establishment that attempted such a grand grouping with the then reluctant and recalcitrant China. Later, there were reports that President Barack Obama had revived this G-2 grouping with China when Hu Jintao was the powerful general secretary of Chinese Communist Party and country’s President. This grand idea of US – China group gained popularity after two major think tanks, Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Peterson Institute for International Economics had revived the conversation in 2011. Pomp and show that surrounds Prime Minister Modi’s visit as globally most popular leader, forming a G-2 – US and India – is something that needs deeper understanding and analysis. US, world’s largest economic power and strategic powerhouse thinking of India as a G-2 ally is elating. Jack Sullivan is reported to be harbinger of this idea, if at all it works for both sides. As G-2, identifying common rivals, partners and competitors, may not after all be a good idea for both US and India in an ever evolving world order. From US perspective, depending heavily on its allies like Japan, Australia and India to checkmate China in Asia theatre and elsewhere including Asia Pacific is a calculative move. At the same time, complete breakdown of relations between China and US is not a feasible preposition. In fact, this complex security matrix explains why democratic white house under President Joe Biden is interfacing with all the three – Japan, India and China – this week to finalize its Asia strategy. US being a great ‘strategic ally’, the first to go to, may continue to work for India. That does not allow Indian foreign affairs establishment under Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to shed the ‘independent policy’ stance that has come to smart focus in recent past. India’s independent policy stance gained credence for New Delhi’s stand on Russia – Ukraine conflict, Covid-19 management, multi-faceted engagement as G-20 President. Not becoming part of a military alliance has been stated policy of India and there’s little or no scope for a change in this stance. It’s in this backdrop that India not joining NATO forces should be viewed notwithstanding the standing invitation from US. In the Russia – European Union standoff, India refused to side with one group or the other unlike China and US taking respective sides. As G-20 President, batting for African Union’s full membership speaks volumes. At the same time, engaging with Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Quad with equanimity brought was recognized by world powers as a responsible way for the 1.4 billion strong India as the largest growing economy for two consecutive years and hat trick to be hit. In this backdrop, emerging and critical technologies, removing export controls on transfer of this knowhow by US to its most trusted partner India could be the starting point to taking bilateral relations one notch above. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space, semi-conductors, dedicated telecom infrastructure for strategic heft, biotechnology, aerospace are among areas where export controls may have to be lifted and shared with India. For instance, buying ‘predator’ drones to enhance surveillance and ‘jet engines’ must make technology transfer integral to the two governments level defence deal. Refurbishing and servicing the US Naval ships in India should become more of a common practice rather than one off events. Areas like education, affordable healthcare, vaccines, medicines; solar energy and green hydrogen as well as joint defence production deals can be the next big step for the two large democracies that are open, flexible and transparent in their relations. Independence in foreign policy engagement at bilateral level and multi-lateral issues is something that India takes pride in. And, this independence in policy will have to be assiduously protected, cherished and propagated for India to play a larger, responsible and compassionate power to reckon with. Smartness with soft power image of India goes well to realize her dreams of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’, world as ‘one big happy family’ that’s humane. (Author is Director and Chief Executive, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, non-partisan think tank based in New Delhi)

Disinformation Education Misinformation

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Buddhism Provides Template for Global Engagement

Gautam Buddha’s doctrine based on compassion & wisdom will help tackle issues like environment crisis, Ukraine conflict and economic instability to usher peace to humanity.

Disinformation Education Fact Sheet Hindus Misinformation

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Ridiculing Hindutva is new fashion fad!

Textbooks revision in sync with new education policy, India’s contribution to science & technology must be taught. Prachi Mishra From magazines like Scientific American, Nature to British evolutionary biologist extraordinaire Richard Dawkins, many in global community seems to have been needlessly worked up about revision in syllabi for school going students in India. Dawkins, who is renowned for his work, The Selfish Gene, took to twitter and bashed Indian government for removing the periodic table from Chemistry lessons and Darwin’s Theory of Evolution in other Science classes. In his tweet, Dawkins made an inapposite remark, stating that “Hinduism is at least as ridiculous as Islam” attributing the revisions in text books that happen periodically to Hinduism. While the tweet was not only condescending, it was baseless and irrational. In the process, Dawkins joined some media houses globally that have made it their stated policy of intolerance towards ‘Hindus’ spread over 100 countries. First, revision or restructuring school syllabi has nothing to do with Hindu dharma. Secondly, both Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were practising Hindus and did not deny their religious beliefs or practicing faith. Thirdly, India’s turn to ‘secularism’ was after 42nd Amendment of the country’s constitution in 1976 during height of internal emergency days, a dark period India went through. It was never a stated ideal which both Nehru and Gandhi agreed upon. The figure below shows his tweet. Last week, when the National Council of Education, Research, and Training (NCERT) reported moving some parts of the existing syllabi like the periodic table from class X to class XI, it was not just Dawkins who misreported the incident. Global news and media agencies around the world caused a stream of misinformation by incorrectly quoting the NCERT report. Both, Nature and Scientific American, have a long-standing history of publishing information about pure science and have been widely recognised as pillars of science reportage. However, by driving an anti-India narrative globally, they have dented their own reputation. Additionally, incessant criticism of Hindu culture and dharma in every aspect of Indian life has become a ‘virtual fashion statement’ for a few. For instance, Dawkins tweet condemning Hinduism is bogus. At a time when the world and global scientific community is looking towards India and its contributions towards modern science and technology, biased scientists like Dawkins are living in their closed echo chambers. In fact, for Dawkins and the likes, it is crucial to acknowledge that Christianity took centuries to debate on whether Earth was the centre of solar system or the Sun, or whether the Earth is flat or ellipsoid. In fact, the Church executed several key scientists and philosophers of 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries just because they contested the former’s opinions. Hence, natural implication is that Dawkins’ hateful comments were indicative of deep-seated Hindu-phobic sentiment. India’s rich shastriya traditions have immensely contributed to modern scientific development. The New Education Policy, 2020 which attempts to make Indian education more holistic, inclusive, and integrated, will require fundamental changes in the way STEM, languages, and arts are taught at present. For instance, Three Language Formula that encourages young students to study subjects in their mother tongue, English, and another Indian language will require rejigging of the current education paradigm. Similarly, the NEP 2020 will also focus on teaching students history of science. And so on. In the light of mis-reportage on Periodic Table, it is quite relevant to look at present system of education and tweak it to suit needs of the future. To nurture societies and youth which can build their lives on ethos of sanatana culture, there is a need to make the school curriculum inclusive, integrated, and holistic. For instance, students should be exposed to shastriya (scientific) history of India rather than just focus on scientific and technological temper of the Western societies. For instance, concept of gravitation should be traced to its origins in the Vaisheshika sutra penned around 600 BC, much before Newton derived the concept and usurped credit for it. Similarly, Trigonometry should be taught as derivation from Surya Siddhanta and not from the works of Hipparchus. History of science could be walked through the centuries but its true origin must be taught to students of all age groups. One among these scientific marvels is Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. Rooted in the belief that the human body is a microcosm of the universe, Ayurveda seeks to restore balance and harmony through a holistic approach to health. Its practitioners, known as Vaidyas, recognised that the key to well-being lay not merely in treating symptoms, but in addressing the underlying imbalances that gave rise to them. By meticulously studying properties of plants, minerals and animal products, they developed a vast pharmacopoeia of remedies that could alleviate suffering and restore vitality. India’s contribution to mathematics and astronomy was nothing short of groundbreaking. It was here that the concept of zero was conceived, laying the foundation for decimal numeral system that is now ubiquitous worldwide. Scholars like Aryabhata and Brahmagupta made remarkable advances in algebra, geometry and trigonometry, formulating theories that were centuries ahead of their time. Additionally, their prowess in astronomy was evident in the accurate calculations of celestial phenomena and the development of sophisticated astronomical instruments. Furthermore, ancient Indians delved deep into mysteries of the mind and consciousness. The science of yoga emerged as a transformative practice that sought to unite the individual self with the cosmic consciousness. Through rigorous discipline and meditation, yogis explored the depths of their own being, unraveling the profound wisdom that lay within. Intriguingly, the ancient Indians also possessed an advanced understanding of metallurgy and chemistry. Their expertise in metallurgical techniques allowed them to craft intricate sculptures and construct awe-inspiring architectural wonders. They also experimented with chemical processes, creating pigments and dyes of exquisite. India’s school and university curriculum needs a complete revamp. The world’s largest democracy is on the path to restructuring its national curriculum and it is natural to reorganise syllabus as per needs of the evolving

Education Policy

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Was education in India limited to high caste Hindus?

A lie was propagated as part of larger perception peddling by British imperialists to destroy indigenous systems that flourished across Dr Aniruddh Subhedar Indian history has been a subject of scholarly debates periodically. General perception prevalent was that education in pre-British colonial era being limited and exclusive to upper caste Hindus. People from lower castes didn’t have any access to education hence widely remained illiterate. Several historians argued that upper caste Hindus (read Brahmins) had exclusive access to religious texts and custodians of these Dharmic books. Power of narratives may have led to this widely accepted perception that was evolved and spread about ancient India and its culture. An objective and closer consideration of contemporary sources reveals a diametrically opposite picture. After having established their rule in various parts of India, British colonial masters felt the need to portray their rule as a blessing in disguise for Indians who were ‘uncultured and superstitious’ mass of people. We see this sentiment in Rudyard Kipling’s phrase, “white man’s burden” that was to civilise the native races. Thus, everything pre-colonial, India’s Dharmic ways, religion & faith, culture and education system was discredited, demonized and then justified its demolition. But, the contemporary data from beginning of 19th century has a different story to tell. When the British began colonizing India, the imperialists made effort to study the land and its people. They studied and translated old Indian texts, surveys were done to understand and rule Indians better. These surveys and reports have become an important contemporary source to understand different aspects of the Indian society in 18th and 19th century. Study on education system in India was a consequence of the debate in the House of Commons in 1813. The survey of Madras Presidency was conducted from 1820 to 1830. There was a semi-official survey in Bengal Presidency by W. Adam and an unofficial survey by G.W. Leitner during1882 in Punjab. In these surveys, a comparative analysis was done on status of education in that region before 1850 to that after 1882. Madras Presidency survey was the most exhaustive and detailed one. It covered points like number of schools, students and teachers, their castes, curriculum of the school, etc. Many scholars have studied further on the surveys and consequent analyses based on these and other, documents. Shri Dharampal’s book ‘The Beautiful Tree’ was most comprehensive as it brought together data from various published and unpublished contemporary sources. It has become a practice in India that whatever is written in ancient times in our traditional itihas (History) is dismissed as unauthentic with little credibility if it doesn’t fit the narrative. But the survey reports conducted by the British and statements of various British officials couldn’t be discredited based on pre-colonial History documents. Data from Madras Presidency Presidency of Madras constituted Odiya, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada speaking areas. The surveys were thorough and covered all 21 districts of the Presidency. Contrary to common belief, indigenous schools not only had students that were not upper castes Hindus, but those from lower castes or “Shudras” were sometimes higher. For instance, in Odiya district of Ganjam, 808 students were Brahmins, 243 Vysees (Vaishyas or traders caste) and highest were Shudra students at1001 while those from other castes numbered at 888. These were Avarnas or their caste status was unknown and hence not regarded as “upper caste” Hindus per se. In Malabar, upper caste students were 20 per cent while students bracketed as Shudras were 54 per cent. In Bellary, upper caste Brahmin and Vaishya students were 33 per cent whereas Shudras were 63 per cent. In Ganjam, upper caste students were around 35.6 per cent whereas Shudras and other caste students were 63.5 per cent. Only inTelugu speaking districts of Vishakhapatnam and Cuddapah, Shudra students were much lower than that of Brahmin and Vaishya students. It still was above 41 per cent. Shudra students in schools had normal and regular practice. In this context, observation of Cuddapah’s Collector that the age of admission for Brahmin boys was usually five to six years and that for Shudra boys was six to eight years. Some district reports gave details of books used in the curriculum. For instance, in Bellary district most commonly used were Ramayan, Mahabharat and Bhagavat. Ancient works of grammar like Nighantoo were also taught. Schools of Rajahmundry and Bellary had spiritual texts like Bal Ramayan, Rukmini Kalyanam, Gajendra Moksha, etc. in the curriculum. Panchtantra and Vetalpanchavimshati (Betal Pachhisi), the famous books to teach statecraft and political knowledge to the kids, were also in these schools. An interesting point mentioned in the Bellary report is that students of manufacturing classes were also taught Vishwakarma Puran. Vishwakarma is the deity of craftsmanship and architecture. Even today many engineering colleges in India celebrate Vishwakarma Jayanti. If we look at data of various districts, almost everywhere the number of Shudra caste students was higher than upper caste ones. In the district of Tinnevelly (Tirunelveli), Brahmin students were 1921 in number, whereas Shudra and ‘other caste’ students were 2708 and 3003 respectively. In Seringapatanam, Brahmin and Vaishya students were 38 and 20 respectively and that of Shudra and ‘other castes’ were 101 and 62 respectively. Out of 101 Shudra students, eight were females. In Coimbatore province, in districts like Polachy, Sattimungalum, Andoor, Eroad, Kongayund, Caroor, etc Brahmin students was 918, Vaishyas – 289, Shudras dominated at 6461 (including 82 female students) and other caste students were 226. This was the pattern in other districts like Madura, Dindigul, Shivganga, Tanjore, Kumbhakonam also. Everywhere the highest number of students was from Shudra caste and small number of female students also belonged to Shudra caste only. In Nellore and Masulipatam, we found Brahmin students exceeding that of Shudra students. Here, it was more of an exception and here also Shudra students were substantial. These numbers clearly prove that most people irrespective of caste had access to elementary and school level every caste and class had access to the education and schools. The facts revealed by

Geopolitics Leadership

646

Is China’s paradigm on ‘mutual success’ real?

Beijing has to come clean on larger issues, shift in outlook welcome. India never lost its ‘eastern wisdom’ while engaging with Western partners. Rohan Giri In an editorial, Chinese Communist Party’s mouthpiece, Global Times on May 30 indicated a possible shift in its India outlook. For a change, it captioned the edit, “We morally, emotionally support India’s de-colonization”. This comment on inauguration of a new Parliament building getting rid of the British colonial re definitely reflects Chinese establishment’s intent to go a wee bit soft on India. It has also garnered the attention of leaders across the globe. This change of heart, if it bears out in reality, cannot be ignored. Pleasing gestures like this editorial as exhibited by China present an intriguing subject for examination. As per reports from Chinese embassy and consulates, over 60,000 visas have been issued to Indians visiting China in first five months of this year. Furthermore, Chinese missions globally have affirmed their readiness to grant more visas for purposes such as business, studies, tourism, work, and family reunions, should the need arise. Global Times editorial last week emphasized India’s commitment to de-colonization and self-reliance. It applauded India’s efforts to remove vestiges of colonial authority, such as renaming iconic buildings and limiting English usage. The article advised India to focus on its national strengths rather than seeking legitimacy through techniques and accolades from outside sources. Rational interpretation to ‘outside sources’ would be India’s multi-nodal foreign policy engagement with western powers. While congratulatory editorial in Global Times is in order, its caution against Western manipulation is old communist line seeking exclusive engagement with India. Global Times asking India to embrace the Eastern Wisdom is possibly a benign attempt to wean India away into its fold. Its emphasis on ‘mutual success’ of China and India is yet another line that many in India’s Left and centrist political discourse also subscribe to. The editorial does not mince words while warning India to stay away from US with the standard communist dogma that US was fueling enemity between India and China. In this context, there are big questions that Chinese communist leadership will have to come up with plausible and convincing answers. President Xi Jingping and his cronies may have to come straight on Galvan border mis-adventurism that led to troop’s deployment on either side of Indo-Chinese borders. China will have to offer an explanation on its collaboration with Pakistan on terrorism in the United Nations (UN) and mutual prosperity pitch with India which may not go hand in hand. Continued expansionist bids in Eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, opposition to G20 conferences in Indian state Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, providing Chinese names to Indian cities and towns is something that China will have to justify. Can this be the template for China’s Paradigm of mutual success? Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy in 2022 report on “Chinese Outlook on International Security” has toed a different line on India. The study has bracketed India on par with US vis-à-vis threat posed to Chinese interests. India’s threat to China has also been compared what was perceived in Japan vis-à-vis China even today. China has come up openly on its stand towards India rather than sending out mixed signals that confuse its communist cadres and their counterparts in India. Global Times editorial also said, “In Chinese society, few people believe that India’s economic and social development will become a threat to China. The vast majority of people believe that the two countries can succeed together. We hope India can demonstrate more clarity and confidence in its dealings with China and the West.” In last three years, India’s position on Chinese threat perception has been consistent. It has in no uncertain terms said on more than one occasion that threat from China has risen multifold. Global Times editorial exhorting India to stay away from Western manipulations has come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington DC for a state visit later this month. China’s expectation that should not protect its defensive and offensive interests is rather unrealistic. India’s right to pursue an independent foreign and economic policy formulation, choice of friends in sync with its view seeking global peace needs to be respected. (author is operations manager at non-partisan think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies based in New Delhi)

Geopolitics

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Akhand Bharat is underlying reality in the mural

Indo-Nepalese linkages have depth to handle contentious border issues, illicit drug deals, jihadist madrasas springing up big time! Vinod Kumar Shukla Traces of Indian culture and civilization go beyond Afghanistan in the west and Indonesia in South East Asia. More facts and revelations have been collated over time due to concerted research about length, breadth and its longevity. But myopic Indian media has the tendency of making an issue out of nothing and question anything and everything that glorifies Indian civilization. It’s all done not to scrutinize facts but put Indian government in the dock. Interestingly enough, self-proclaimed holier than thou Indian media failed to see Sengol as being integral to India’s millennium old cultural voyage and its handing over to Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1947 was termed fake history. Select Indian and global media outlets get divine and display false intellect in interpreting 2300-year-old depiction in a mural that’s part of the newly opened Parliament. This has given enough cannon fodder to China and Pakistan. India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was straight when he described the mural as an artwork that depicted the spread of Ashokan Empire. Bagchi took the position, “The mural in question depicts the spread of Ashokan Empire and the idea of responsible and people-oriented governance that he [Ashoka] adopted and propagated.” Bagchi rejected conjectures that the issue figured in bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal popularly known as ‘Prachanda’ who was on a bilateral visit to New Delhi last week. But, India’s western and northern neighbours seized upon the opportunity to make mountain out of a molehill. Nepal’s opposition parties, some of them aligned with Chinese think tanks and Chinese Communist Party made every effort to cause mayhem on phone screens, social media handles and hijack the conversation away from Indo-Nepal issues. Apparent objections were on depiction of Lumbini, Uttarapath, Purushpur and Taxila on the mural in question as part of India’s Akhand Bharat plan. Social media was flooded with messages that opposition leaders asked the visiting Prime Minister ‘Prachanda’ to take up the issue with India to get the mural removed from Parliament. But, India insisted that the issue did not figure in bilateral discussion. Big question however remains. Is it not true that India and Pakistan were part of Indus (Sindhu) Water Treaty depicted in the mural reflecting India’s civilizational identity as Bharat? Can Indian forget Takshshila where Vishnugupta (Chanakya) was a teacher and assisted Chandragupta, Ashoka’s grandfather in uniting India? Lumbini where Gautam Buddha was born is Sakya Muni for many in India emphasising his Sakya lineage. And, this region formed one of the ten republics of [Akhand] Bharat during sixth century BC. No political boundary whatsoever was strong enough to restrict Akhand Bharat that had unique lifestyle and behaviour of every civilizational Indian. Reference to Uttarapath is as old as Panini’s Ashtadhyayi where he listed the kingdoms along ‘Uttarapathenahritam’. Pakistan can ignore these facts and consider its history to have begun with 1947 and remain in denial mode for cultural links with India. Pakistan’s tilt towards Arabic nations may not help as the latter view Islamabad with deep disdain. On the parallel, handful of Nepalese leaders denying this cultural unity is not only strange but unfortunate as its cultural connects with India is inseparable and alienated. When Indian Prime Minister Modi visited Lumbini on May 16 last year on birth anniversary of Mahatma Buddha, he inaugurated Kushinagar International Airport. It was meant to bring to focus cultural integration. Kushinagar airport would help tourists and pilgrims to get easy access to Lumbini contrary to misinformation campaign that India is on some imaginary expansionist mission. Lumbini and Kushinagar are the places where Mahatma Budhdha took birth and died respectively. Further, four-lane Ram Janaki path is being built from Ayodhya to Janakpur. A Buddhist circuit is drawn connecting Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Lumbini. Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi has been an important seat of pilgrimage for Lord Shiva’s devotees. Also, Kashi has been the seat of learning and place of worship for successive Prime Ministers and Nepal’s royals. They were also associated with Guru Gorakhnath in Gorakhpur bordering Nepal. Ram Van Gaman Path Marg too has Nepal and Sri Lankan linkages while Krishna corridor would connect many cities. Cultural connect transcends political boundaries as former Maoist Guerrilla Prachanda appears to have overcome the dichotomy of his faith and political ideology when he performed Rudrabhishek at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. He gifted loads of Rudraksha beads to the temple. What binds India and Nepal is their Hindu identity, so each other’s security concerns are of paramount importance. Therefore, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s meeting with the Nepalese Prime Minister was certainly not a courtesy call. Issues like mushrooming Madarsas along Indo-Nepalese border, contraband trade, outlaws committing crime and escaping into Nepal apart from ISI operatives making a foothold on Nepalese soil have reportedly figured in the discussions. There is no denying that border issues continue to be in contention especially Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura areas that Nepal claims to be part of its territory. Both sides seem to agree that there’s enough depth in their relationships to handle these issues. But, one cannot ignore the Chinese Communist Party’s continued needling in Indo-Nepalese affairs. After mishandling1989 blockade aggravated minor differences between the two countries into distrust, China played an iniquitous role. Further, comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006 leading to end of monarchy and general elections, the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic that had Chinese footprint all over. On the other hand, what went wrong for India was the erstwhile Manmohan Singh government outsourcing its Nepal policy to Communist Party of India – Marxist that had its allegiance to China. Whenever India and Nepal attempted at ironing out differences, China worked at torpedoing plans to expand its influence in South Asia. Fanning Pahadi versus Madheshi divide in Nepal was its favourite game plan. China supplied oil and arms during 1988-89 to disturb the delicate

Geopolitics Leadership World

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Maoist guerrilla turned Hindu protagonist?

Prachanda’s puja at Mahakaleshwar is more tactical transformation to mollify India; political success and survival back home Yubaraj Ghimire On May 31 evening, Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (“Prachanda”) raised his hands in welcome and signalled Manjeev Singh Puri, asking the former Indian Ambassador to Nepal to approach him at a reception held in his honour at the country’s embassy in New Delhi. “I have not forgotten… you asked me several times when will I wear Daura-Suruwal. Look, I have done it.” Prime Minister Dahal donned Nepal’s official and traditional dress for the first time during a trip abroad. Dahal and his party – the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre) – have consciously avoided wearing traditional attire to maintain the radical and revolutionary image. That image was sacrificed on his trip to India. On third day of his trip, Dahal not only visited Indore but performed an elaborate puja at Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain. He offered the deity 108-rudraksha bead thread, clad in distinctly religious attire. Dahal was a “revolutionary” whose insurgency saw many incidents of temples being vandalised and those observing rituals (even death rituals) being killed. He has avoided visiting any temple including Pashupatinath temple in Nepal till now. His religiosity in India, then, may well be taken as a tactical transformation to address the Modi factor – a factor which may be crucial to his political success and survival. Many, then, believe that he has not “transformed” – he has simply been tamed by hostile circumstances and politics. His visit to India five months after he assumed office as PM for the third time was for political management. Just an hour before his departure, he managed to get President Ram Chandra Poudel to approve the Citizenship Bill that erstwhile President Bidhya Devi Bhandari had declined. Dahal bypassed parliament by getting the cabinet to go for a shortcut. This was done to mollify New Delhi. India has still not welcomed Nepal’s constitution, promulgated in 2015. Dahal and K P Oli (who was then waiting to take over as PM) turned down India’s suggestion to delay the promulgation till demands of some Tarai-based parties which included the citizenship issue were sorted out. The result was a 134-day-long economic blockade, which led to a sweeping anti-India sentiment in Nepal. Modi also lost a lot of his considerable popularity in the country. The Citizenship Bill, among other things, provides instant citizenship with all the political and property rights to foreign women married to Nepali men. While the Bill does not address many of the more radical demands, like citizenship to men married to Nepali women, Dahal’s pushing it through likely earns him some trustworthiness in the eyes of Indian establishment. It can be interpreted as a realisation on his part that not listening to India earlier was a mistake. Dahal had his own reasons to stoop, hoping he will ultimately conquer. Sixteen years ago, the decade-long insurgency – which led to 17,000 deaths – ended in a peace accord following a deal that India brokered between the Maoists and Nepal’s pro-democracy parties. Modi, who came to power in Delhi eight years after the deal, hailed the accord in his first address from the ramparts of Red Fort as a “triumph of the ballot over bullet”. But now, at 71, Dahal faces the prospect of that triumph being bungled. Not only his detractors, but ex-guerrillas and political allies want the gross human rights violations probed and the guilty punished, as pledged in the peace accord signed in November 2006. Dahal has been trying hard to grant general amnesty to the guilty but as the accord was witnessed by the international community, including the UN, his best option was to reach out to India to bail him out and, if necessary, intercede with Western countries. Indian authorities appear convinced that the Maoist leader’s offer to side with India in containing China in Nepal and even to put Chinese investments at bay, is genuine. Delhi seems to believe that Dahal continuing as PM would be in India’s interest. Amazingly, he also reportedly assured the BJP that he was no less Hindu than the former King Gyanendra Shah, whose efforts at making a political comeback are getting a huge public response in Nepal. His visit to Mahakaleshwar was evidence of that. For now, Dahal got what he wanted from Delhi. The two sides signed deals to have Indian Public Sector Undertakings — National Hydro-Power Corporation and Satluj Jal Nigam — to develop the 679 MW Lower Arun and 480 MW Phukot (Karnali) — with India promising to enhance multi-fold the current purchase level (400 MW) of Nepal-generated power. Delhi asserted that no power generated by Nepal companies with Chinese investment will be purchased. This is a clear message that Chinese investment in all major sectors will be discouraged. Dahal did not quite raise the border dispute – this would have spoilt the positive atmosphere he was trying to create. But this is likely to be seen as a “surrender”, and create a backlash at home. His Delhi visit will be debated, polarising people and parties in Nepal. And that will cost Prachanda the image his “revolutionary past” bestowed on him. In that avatar, the problems with an “expansionist India” used to be a political and diplomatic mantra. (author is a senior journalist based in Kathmandu. This write up was first published in Indian Express)

Leadership Technology

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Much ado about something

Digital India bill should democratize information highways, digital ecosystem, address stakeholders concerns & not limit benefits to a big few Prachi Mishra In a few days from now, Narendra Modi government is likely to come up with first draft of the much-awaited Digital India Bill. If one were to go by officials, the bill is intended at strengthening information technology, security and information infrastructure in India. The Bill, when finally adopted by Parliament and enacted, will complement the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 and Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022. In last two decades, after IT Act, 2000 became operative there have been astronomical developments in technological innovation. To keep pace with these innovations, the act’s regulatory framework was amended. The IT Act Amendment of 2008 and IT Rules 2011 were rolled out to define cyberspace and provided ground for handling of digital activities in India. But, the Act was inadequate to address present-day concerns of cyber security, crime and do justice to privacy concerns of Indian people. Emergence of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Quantum technologies, Metaverse, Big Data, Block chain, etc has thrown up new challenges in the regulatory framework. Given the limitations within the existing IT Act, a separate act has been in the work for a few months to address the growing digital and cyber demands of Indian people. In this backdrop, India’s economic interests can be furthered when the technological development and innovation apart from related regulatory framework is aligned. With growing penetration of digital technologies and increasing vulnerabilities of cyberspace, there is a need to ensure India’s national security was primacy. Reportedly, Digital India Bill, 2023 is intended at catering to India’s rising aspirations and become a catalyst in her growth and development while upholding people’s fundamental rights and country’s security concerns. Given the delicate balance that needs to be achieved through the new framework, the expectations from various stakeholders may have to be enlisted. Firstly, the Bill may have to address ethical concerns that are emerging as a consequence of disruptive technologies. Technological development will have to be seen as being morally correct, legitimate, and ethical. For instance, India should be able to address and counter adverse impact of artificial intelligence like deep fakes and misinformation. The new framework may evolve a robust and holistic mechanism to address issues related to cyber security. In 2022, as per CERT-in data, there were over 1.39 million cyber-attacks on India. This roughly over 253 per cent more than suck attacks reported for 2018. Hence, the Bill should put in mechanisms to resolve high volume and velocity of these cyber-attacks seen across sector, be it finance, banking, security establishment to political theatre. Also, with highly disruptive Quantum technologies round the corner, the Bill must suggest ways to ensure cyber security in the new environment. The proposed bill may have to find solution to tackle the manifold rise in misinformation, hateful content and fake news that’s become the new normal in India. In last couple of years, big technology firms like Facebook and Twitter have been at loggerheads with the government on dealing with mis-formation on their respective platforms. The Bill will have to reflect a possible consensus of all stakeholders on dealing with misinformation, disinformation and fake news that’s rampant. The bill’s provisions should be aligned with innovation. At present, India’s patent tally is dismal and most technology is imported from the Western countries. Be it hardware or software, India’s patents fall behind big time. The Bill should give impetus and incentivize innovation in digital technologies. Additionally, it should augur well for all the stakeholders of digital ecosystem and not restrict the benefits disproportionately to a handful tech firms. The new dispensation may have to address issues like liability, accountability, and ownership of data and its usage. Of late, there have been cases where social unrest resulted in violence and arson because content guidelines for these platforms were amiss. Or, even the existing norms were violated. The Digital India Bill, 2023 will be discussed at a time when India has moved many notches above in many different fields of technological and digital innovation. Being home to 113 unicorns and third largest start-up economy, India’s innovation ecosystem is booming like never before. Also, with the Semiconductor Mission, the strong impetus on adopting digital technologies, and the National Quantum Mission in place, India is bound to grow steadily in the coming years. Stakeholders expect the bill to empower them, democratize the information high way and digital ecosystem, aid other relevant economic policies. India should ensure that all voices of the entire stakeholder ecosystem are heard and it is enacted in time. (Author is Research Consultant at Centre for Integrated & Holistic Studies, New Delhi based non-partisan think tank)

Business Leadership Policy Technology

644

Basking under the Sun!

India to hit a hat-trick as fastest growing economy, unparalleled transformation in nine years, per capita incomes to be $ 5200 by 2032. K.A.Badarinath For second year in continuum, India is the fastest growing economy globally with impressive 9.1 per cent and 7.2 per cent clocked in 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively. Even with projected 6.5 per cent GDP growth for this fiscal ending March 31, 2024, India will top the global sweepstakes and hit a hat-trick. This means the moon for an economy that’s home to world’s largest population at 1.4 billion, an expanding aspirational class and the middle-income families that continue to move upward in the consumption and investment chain. From investors’ point of view, both domestic and foreign players would make merry given the healthy uptick in demand for goods and services within the country. This is significant as Germany has slipped into recession, top economies in Europe are on a downslide and the US continues to struggle out of a whopping $ 31.4 trillion debt crisis. The tentative deal between democratic White House and Republicans do not mean much given that President Joe Biden is in a tight corner. Prolonged war in Eastern Europe getting worse and Kiev’s drones hitting Moscow’s metropolis send out two firm signals. One, the shadow-boxing by big boys with Russia and Ukraine playing front foot continues to adversely impact geo-political and economic matrix. Secondly, there seems to be no abrupt end to this long drawn conflict notwithstanding peace overtures made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Its impact is bound to be significantly felt as the global growth figures are expected to trim to 2.8 per cent in 2023 as against 3.4 per cent a year before. In the melee, Indian stock markets being valued fifth largest globally at $ 3.3 trillion after US, China, Japan and Hong Kong is something that one can rejoice about. It only indicates the investment appetite of both foreign players and domestic retailers that yearn to dip into the famed India growth story that’s only getting meatier by the day. Also, the confidence that investors repose in our regulator, Securities Exchange Board of India to run the show with zero payment defaults apart from strong and stable central government that commands huge credibility politically and with economic stakeholders. Three prime numbers that stand out are services, exports and agriculture sectors contribution to healthy GDP growth beating doomsayers’ diatribe on economic mismanagement. Secondly, front loading capital expenses and big private consumption has fuelled the Indian economy. Gross fixed capital formation at 11.4 per cent was highest in over a decade and its share in GDP accounting for 34 per cent. Private consumption rose by 7.5 per cent and its share was highest at 58.5 per cent. Most important signal in the macro-economic numbers was the confidence within the economic managers of Modi government that inflation can be contained to four per cent going forward. Unexpectedly healthy GDP numbers have special significance for Indian government led by Prime Minister Modi who has led from the front in last nine years. This bears out in the American financial services Morgan Stanley’s report released on Wednesday on nine years ‘transformation’ heralded by team Modi. Reforms undertaken across sectors in last nine years including governance laid the foundation for enhancing the per capita income to $ 5200 by 2031-32 from $ 2200 reported in 2021. And, over 46 per cent households would earn anything between $ 10,000 – 35,000, nearly double the proportion in 2021. Most important is that capital expenditure and fixed capital formation is expected to grow exponentially as percentage of GDP and share of Indian exports double to 4.5 per cent by 2031. As pointed out by government’s economy managers, scams and corrupt deals that marked 2004-14 decade are a thing of the past. From lost decade to performing and transformative ten years is what even Morgan Stanley seems to have surmised in its detailed report. Fourteen quarters of runaway inflation and 12 quarters of decline in economic growth and industrial production during 2004-14, pre-Modi era stands out as it culminated to virtual financial collapse that was triggered by the housing bubble burst in US that burnt the world with its contagion effect. Change is order of the day and India has arrived leaving behind the dark days! (author is Director & Chief Executive of Centre for Integrated & Holistic Studies, a Delhi based non-partisan think tank)

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