Interesting article on Nathuram Godse's mindset on why he killed Mahatma Gandhi.
It is important to understand the underpinnings on why people take to violence and in this case, its religious fundamentalism. Sadly, India is still suffering under views taken by extremists, whether it is Muslim or Hindu (Ram veer sena's campaign against women in pubs is the latest example).
How will India come out of this? When these extremists don't have popular support and society shuns them. And the only way for that is to ensure modern education so that they are indoctrinated in the wrong way (its impossible to eliminate them fully since even advanced nations have fanatics).
India always has prided itself in its secular credentials. Which means that they dont subscribe to any religious ideology like say Pakistan but still allow people at the individual level to follow their religion, whatever it is.
So should it allow proselytism and conversion in the name of religion? I dont think religion alone is to blame since even if religion is not involved, violent tendencies do arise (say communist revolutions in Russia and China). I think the issue is extreme views which like to achieve their goals via violent means...that needs to be eliminated.
India needs strict enforcement of the law.
No violence can be tolerated. No one should or can take the law into their own hands.
And that's only possible with a strong, apolitical, well funded police force.
I suggest India raise the salaries of the police force thereby decreasing the corruption temptation, make them totally apolitical and ask them to crack down on violence.
Only if we nip this internal security issue now can India emerge as a strong nation.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Covert war against Pakistan - if nothing else works!!
A former ambassador has suggested going in for covert war against Pak, if nothing else works.
Of course, its easier said than done. There must be other methods before resorting to covertness.
Here are some radical thoughts:-
Of course, its easier said than done. There must be other methods before resorting to covertness.
Here are some radical thoughts:-
- Pak govt fully cooperates against terror - Pak realizes its living in denial. They should know that this is not just hurting India, but them too. I think most moderates would agree. But can the govt break out of the Army/ISI shackles and control them? This is a big if and so far, the record of Gilani/Zardari has been atrocious in trying to control the Army/ISI. I doubt Mr. Gilani or Zardari even know where the nukes are!!
- Cofederation with Pak -here’s a strategy that does NOT need military means and can work if everyone has a open mind. Of course, timing is crucial.
1. First, India should stand back or even accelerate the economic woes of Pakistan to such an extent that they teeter on collapse.
2. When that happens, India should offer to support Pakistan and indeed Afghanistan (which is tied at its hip via the imaginary Durand Line), an offer of CONFEDERATION a la the EU.The reason for this is when the Pak state teeters, the chance of its nukes falling in wrong hands is high. And the target of those nukes is either US or India (which is easier to reach). To prevent that, India should support the weak Pak state with full access to its markets, immediate foreign aid etc.
Of course, this needs Pak to grab the hand that is reaching to save it and that’s why timing would be crucial. If the hawks there had any money, they would block this. But if the Pak populace is starving and not in the mood for another war, it might just be possible to pull off the impossible. This has happened before… remember Germany was the sworn enemy of both UK and France but today they are in a economic union. Its a strange world and sometimes the unconventional approach might work!!!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Incredulous !ndia on her 59th Republic Day
As we celebrate India's 59th Republic Day today, its a good time to reflect on what we have achieved in this period since 1950 when we became a sovereign republic.
The leading strategist - Brahma Chellaney - has written an interesting article called
Incredulous !ndia
Of course, as always, there are pros and cons in my reading of India's history so far.
Pros include:-
Now it can consolidate and grow. There are enough middle class families in India now that the economic growth will not be derailed by other forces such as communalism, internal strife etc.
Also, lower castes are participating and actually coming to power like Ms. Mayawati who could become the next PM if she manages to get enough Lok Sabha seats in the next election. Many see this with derision. I think it is good that they are embracing the democratic process and not indulging in more violent means of protest.
In the next 60 years, if India continues its current growth trend, it will become the 2nd biggest economy after China and its per capita income would be near $6000, almost a 10x growth. China is predicted to grow old after 2020 whereas India will have its demographic dividend well into the 2040's. That 20 years could make all the difference of India's rise.
But we have to get there and all of us have to come together to pull India in that direction.
The leading strategist - Brahma Chellaney - has written an interesting article called
Incredulous !ndia
Of course, as always, there are pros and cons in my reading of India's history so far.
Pros include:-
- India is still a secular unitary state which has not "balkanized" even though communal and regional forces could well have torn her apart.
- India still is a democracy, which is even more a surprise as everyone predicted in 1947 that the "illiterate" Indian populace is not ready for democracy and only a socialist or communist or maybe a military "benevolent" dictator can guide the country a la comrade Lenin or Mao.
- India is beginning to realize its economic potential. Yes, we waited till a crisis in 1991 to open up and liberalize but atleast we can now see what can be achieved and sometimes hope of the promised land is more important than anything else as it lifts national confidence in our abilities and talent.
- External security - India has always had this problem.... in the olden days, the raids through the Khyber pass was a given and later the British came through the sea. Nowadays, Pakistan is happy to play that external instigator role, with China actively supporting it by keeping India in its regional box.
- Internal security - This may be even more problematic as the security forces have to fight with their own citizens, always an issue. Be this Kashmir, NE states, Naxals. (previously, the Chinese wanted to have a communist revolution in India via their support to the Nagas, Mizos and now with Naxalites).
- Corruption - This is everywhere - be it politicians, bureaucrats, police etc. There was also a report that the Mumbai attackers bribed a Coast Guard officer who had intercepted them.
- Infrastructure especially to the poorer sections of society - In this, I am clubbing together education, health, sanitation, electrification and road construction in villages and towns. We still have 400M people living below $1 a day according to the United Nations. This is really shameful that we as a nation cannot raise the standard of living of all of our citizens.
Now it can consolidate and grow. There are enough middle class families in India now that the economic growth will not be derailed by other forces such as communalism, internal strife etc.
Also, lower castes are participating and actually coming to power like Ms. Mayawati who could become the next PM if she manages to get enough Lok Sabha seats in the next election. Many see this with derision. I think it is good that they are embracing the democratic process and not indulging in more violent means of protest.
In the next 60 years, if India continues its current growth trend, it will become the 2nd biggest economy after China and its per capita income would be near $6000, almost a 10x growth. China is predicted to grow old after 2020 whereas India will have its demographic dividend well into the 2040's. That 20 years could make all the difference of India's rise.
But we have to get there and all of us have to come together to pull India in that direction.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The New Great Game
Came across an interesting article on the "New Great Game" wherein the US, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and maybe Iran continue their struggle to gain control over the vast areas of Central Asia. That the Caspian Sea and surrounding areas contain vast resources of oil and other mineral wealth is not in doubt. The issue is who will have access to that wealth.
Russia surely wants to regain the greatness of its past, be it Bolshevik USSR or even the Tsarist version of it. Already it has flexed its muscles in Georgia, giving both the puny Georgians and through them, the US a bloody nose and a clear warning not to interfere in their "near abroad".
The US of course will have none of it and will continue their antagonizing strategy of encircling Russia by inviting Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, like they did with Estonia and Latvia. I wont be surprised if they extend this to the Central Asian states, though their struggles in Afghanistan might prevent this.
Chinese intentions of course is a mystery as usual. Of course, they dont want any power to come near them. They quite like the status quo with a weak Russia and US bogged down in Afghanistan, which might give them an opportunity to re-open a "Silk Route" through the Central Asian states and hope to get some influence over them via trade.
Pakistan in all likelihood would back China as they are slowly becoming a vassal state themselves and without Chinese and US support, might collapse on itself.
Afghanistan is sadly caught in the middle of this and being used by everyone as the doormat, as has been the case for over 200 years.
That leaves India to ponder how to play this great geo-political game which might be hugely important in the next few decades. It has started to dip its toes into this with the construction of the road that links the Iranian port of Chabahar with the Afghan hinterland. From there, it should have access to the vast Central Asian plains. Another effort is today's annoucement of uranium supplies from Kazakhstan, hugely important to push forward the US-India nuclear deal. From India's point of view, allying with the US would be beneficial. There will be a big hue and cry over this from the left and great crying over the loss of soverignity over India's foreign policy.
But in the overall interests of the nation, India needs to realize it needs partners to play this game. Of the great powers, China is at the polar opposite, with Russia and US as the only suitable partners. Russia being a shadow of itself and predicted to decline over the next two decades in population, really there is only the choice of the US to further India's interests there.
I would love to know other suggestions on ensuring India gets access to the resources of the Central Asian states.
PS:
Here's a good article on the links with Kazakhstan - Courting Central States
Russia surely wants to regain the greatness of its past, be it Bolshevik USSR or even the Tsarist version of it. Already it has flexed its muscles in Georgia, giving both the puny Georgians and through them, the US a bloody nose and a clear warning not to interfere in their "near abroad".
The US of course will have none of it and will continue their antagonizing strategy of encircling Russia by inviting Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, like they did with Estonia and Latvia. I wont be surprised if they extend this to the Central Asian states, though their struggles in Afghanistan might prevent this.
Chinese intentions of course is a mystery as usual. Of course, they dont want any power to come near them. They quite like the status quo with a weak Russia and US bogged down in Afghanistan, which might give them an opportunity to re-open a "Silk Route" through the Central Asian states and hope to get some influence over them via trade.
Pakistan in all likelihood would back China as they are slowly becoming a vassal state themselves and without Chinese and US support, might collapse on itself.
Afghanistan is sadly caught in the middle of this and being used by everyone as the doormat, as has been the case for over 200 years.
That leaves India to ponder how to play this great geo-political game which might be hugely important in the next few decades. It has started to dip its toes into this with the construction of the road that links the Iranian port of Chabahar with the Afghan hinterland. From there, it should have access to the vast Central Asian plains. Another effort is today's annoucement of uranium supplies from Kazakhstan, hugely important to push forward the US-India nuclear deal. From India's point of view, allying with the US would be beneficial. There will be a big hue and cry over this from the left and great crying over the loss of soverignity over India's foreign policy.
But in the overall interests of the nation, India needs to realize it needs partners to play this game. Of the great powers, China is at the polar opposite, with Russia and US as the only suitable partners. Russia being a shadow of itself and predicted to decline over the next two decades in population, really there is only the choice of the US to further India's interests there.
I would love to know other suggestions on ensuring India gets access to the resources of the Central Asian states.
PS:
Here's a good article on the links with Kazakhstan - Courting Central States
Saturday, January 24, 2009
India's history since Independence
Before we can figure out where India is going, we need to understand where India is coming from.
And for that, a detailed historical account is needed to understand India.
An excellent book that I am currently reading is Ramachandra Guha's:
India after Gandhi, an excellent account of India after independence.
Of course, India is much older than that, but India got to be a truly cohesive nation only after the British left.
And now many people would object to this, but I think if it were not for the British via their railroads and English, India would have never become a contiguous nation.
They were the first to produce a map that Indians could look at and see the entire India for themselves.
If not for them, India would have remained a concept or a categorization, much like Asia or Europe today is treated.
To learn about the entire history of India, read or watch the wonderful documentary
The Story of India
And for that, a detailed historical account is needed to understand India.
An excellent book that I am currently reading is Ramachandra Guha's:
India after Gandhi, an excellent account of India after independence.
Of course, India is much older than that, but India got to be a truly cohesive nation only after the British left.
And now many people would object to this, but I think if it were not for the British via their railroads and English, India would have never become a contiguous nation.
They were the first to produce a map that Indians could look at and see the entire India for themselves.
If not for them, India would have remained a concept or a categorization, much like Asia or Europe today is treated.
To learn about the entire history of India, read or watch the wonderful documentary
The Story of India
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