“Domestic policy can defeat us, foreign policy can kill us”- cited by former US President John. F. Kennedy where, by the word “us”, he blatantly refers to the general riff-raff of his country. My purpose for putting up the above quote was to indicate towards the visceral idea of this particular blog. Yes, you got it right! What? Maybe you didn’t? Well no worries, just keep on reading to get the gist of my notion.
In the contemporary world, most of the country’s denizens (especially Indians) have an insufficient knowledge of the country’s foreign affairs, its policies and the present stand of their nation in the highly globalised and excessively competitive world. Most of us fail to realize that in the current scenario, the foreign policies are no longer just the “government thing”. For every common man (like you and me), it’s imperative to accede that the status quo of foreign countries directly or indirectly affects the lifestyle of every other person in that country.
Maintaining the dignity of the point put up by me, I always form some personal opinions about the foreign diplomatic policies of India. Now that there’s just no system for the consideration of the opinions of common people in foreign policy making in ours or any other country, I couldn’t find a better platform but this to express my notions on some of the ongoing melodramas on the international stage and India’s ideal response to them.
Firstly, let us consider the very curious case of the most prominent ally of India i.e. Russia, whose notorious activities are pursuing an exponential growth these years. The dilemma for India is that it can neither corroborate nor conspicuously oppose Russia because supporting its causes would mean endorsement of immoral activities of a country and opposing it can mean losing one of the most powerful allies! Plus, what if the West decides to issue sanctions on India and curb trade activities just like recently it did with Russia? And who knows, one day, India too might get ousted from G-20 akin to Russia’s exclusion from G-8 recently…Oops!!! G-7 rather
Although, the possibilities ascribed above are far from reality as per the present moment is concerned. But the demand by the West from India on clarifying its stance on Russia is quite eminent in the near future. Well, in that case the most viable option for India would be take a diplomatic stand. What I mean is that India must go for a double-faced strategy where it should (only when asked) formally lambaste Russia for its attitude on the international stage and simultaneously maintain cordial relations with Russia on the backstage using the weapons of cajoling and persuasion.
It is very likely that my previous suggestion might sound utopian to some but then I have an example to justify my point. Yes, currently, India and Israel maintain similar kind of relations where India is allowed to reprimand Israel for its unacceptable behavior in public while maintaining friendly relations with it behind the curtains. So, it’s seriously not a futile policy at all.
Then there’s another recent example of India’s effective involvement in an international affair strong enough to directly affect its citizens i.e. opposition of Trade facilitation scheme at WTO by India. By successfully preventing the bill from getting passed, India has mystifyingly shown strictness on an international issue including the superpowers on the contrary side, an attitude rarely adopted by India on multinational stages. By doing so, it has not only sustained the welfare of its own citizens but even more importantly, it has boldly represented a large bunch of needy and developing Asian and African countries against the stalwarts like USA, Canada, Germany, etc. Now that’s something which definitely deserves applaud and appreciation!
In the end, spotlighting my primary point, I would like to say that it’s high time when we Indians, become more aware and lay more emphasis on the foreign policies and the standing of our country internationally. Also, we have every reason to do so. For example, India’s ousting from G-20 which is although a very unlikely event presently but possible in future, can adversely affect its global monetary reforms and public banking policies. Further, on inclusion of the amendment proposed by India in TFA at WTO would aid in preserving the >10% subsidy rate to farmers of our country.
That day would be a better day when people will be discussing India’s next move regarding overseas strategy rather than discussing paltry political events or the next electrifying act of Poonam Pandey!
Meanwhile, China has put up a proposal before India to collectively rejuvenate the ancient Silk Route to procure “mutual benefits”.
Let’s see what the Dragon has in store for us 😉
