As Mao did to Nehru in 1959-62, Xi Jinping has thrown at Prime Minister Narendra Modi the biggest challenge in his public life. Over the next few days, weeks, months, and years, he will take decisions that determine the strategic fate of his nation. And his own political legacy.
Reading his mind is an act of daring. Over these six years, he has built a formidable reputation of delivering the most stunning surprises, without anybody having an inkling. Even on crucial strategic and foreign policy issues. Remember his sudden stopover in Pakistan on his way back from Kabul?
Gaming his responses over the Chinese provocations in Ladakh is complex, but there are pointers. So, for once, we can read the main question on his mind as he weighs strategy and politics. Simply put, he must respond, but not in a way that looks like Jawaharlal Nehru.
The politics and strategic, philosophical and ideological thought he and his ideological and political parents, RSS and BJP, have constructed is founded on not being like Nehru. The most important thing then is to “not repeat his waffling blunders”.
Xi Jinping has thrown the gauntlet at Modi at the moment of his choosing, just as Mao had done in 1962. The pressure on him is to respond immediately, in anger, and exasperation just to be seen to be doing something, as Nehru did. Translated: How to show fellow Indians and the world that you are not Nehru of 1962, without doing precisely what Nehru did under pressure in that fateful year.
Nehru took a decision (“I have told my army to throw out the Chinese”) that might have looked brave, but was divorced from reality. History has judged him harshly. Not as a brave, tough leader who “died” fighting, as politically and physically, he never recovered from that decision. He will forever be seen as a weakling who went to war against his conviction.
In 2020, Modi has many advantages. His political environment has no resemblance to Nehru’s, whose greatest critics were the nationalists within his cabinet. Modi has no such problem. The opposition is weak, Parliament is no threat and the armed forces are in an enormously better state, despite the PLA’s modernisation.
He, however, shares one weakness with Nehru: A larger than life public image, and a thin skin. That is what Xi has seen as an exposed flank. From Chumar to Doklam to Pulwama, the Chinese have noticed how vital a factor “face” is for Modi in his domestic politics. There is a compulsion to look hard, decisive, risk-taking, start something and then conclude it in a way you can claim victory. That is not such an easy option against China.
Also read: Modi’s foreign policy puts Modi first, India second
What motivated Xi to initiate this confrontation is not so relevant any more. It doesn’t matter because the Chinese are now at our doorstep. And the way they are digging in, hauling in heavy equipment, they look prepared for the long haul.
It takes Modi back to the dilemmas all his predecessors have faced. Is India fated by geography and history to endure a two-front situation? How can India change this? Can it reach out to either of the two and break out of the triangulation? If so, which one? And if it has no way out, or until it has a way out, can it still remain essentially non-aligned?
For clarity, if you give up that pretence and align with any big powers, you cannot also hold on to Cold War notions of strategic autonomy. Can you trade them for better security?
Every choice involves compromises. Modi has to pick one. Nehru junked his inflated notions of non-alignment and reached out to Kennedy’s America for help in 1962. Help came, and he permitted the Americans to even set up a military mission in New Delhi headed by a two-star general. This came at a price.
The Western powers dissuaded Pakistan from taking advantage of India’s predicament in October-November 1962, but in December, Sardar Swaran Singh was negotiating under duress with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on Kashmir. This was in return for Western support. Swaran Singh stalled, and as Nehru declined, Kennedy was assassinated, and the American opportunity was gone. India swung Centre-Left again.
Indira Gandhi was sharper. In 1971, when the Bangladesh opportunity came, she knew she could only win if something could keep China off India’s back. She signed that Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation with the Soviet Union, which was a euphemism for a strategic alliance. It gave her those few weeks’ leeway to finish the war.
Also read: Rammanohar Lohia was right about China. And was neither jingoist nor idealist
A leader’s isn’t an easy place to be in. The substance of strategic and foreign policies is less pretty than the summits.
Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh grappled with the same challenge. None had the political capital Modi does. All made at least one effort to reach out to Pakistan and break that triangulation. We had recounted a prescient tutorial by Dr Manmohan Singh on how it was better for India to reach out to Pakistan for peace to deny China this low-cost strategic counterweight.
Narendra Modi too made a dramatic flourish with Nawaz Sharif and then gave up too soon. Pathankot, Gurdaspur and other betrayals happened for sure. But great leaders distinguish the tactical from the strategic. As things unfolded subsequently, he and his party built their politics on anti-Pakistanism. Terrorism became the pre-eminent strategic threat in our nationalist imagination. Pakistan-terror-Islam became the three prongs of the BJP’s electoral proposition.
Modi tried to break out of the same triangulation that his predecessors grappled with and failed. But he reached out to China instead, celebrating its leader, ignoring its provocations, welcoming its investments and looking the other way while the annual trade deficit grew to $60 billion. This, when his economic nationalism won’t let him sign even a tiny trade deal with the US.
The calculation was to give China a vested interest in peace with India. Xi has now shown that the world’s deputy superpower doesn’t weigh its strategic interest in trade surpluses. The idea of isolating Pakistan by reaching out to its allies, China on the east and the Arab world on the west, was creative and audacious. It failed as Xi won’t play ball.
Modi is back to the same three choices: Align with a big power, make peace with one of the two neighbours, or keep fighting on two fronts, in the manner of ekla cholo re. What about a combination of the first two?
The unipolar world is now over. As is non-alignment. China is the other pole, as the Soviet Union used to be. It has no incentive in settling its borders, not even delineating the LAC with you. Peace between two antagonists is only possible when the bigger power wants it. For India, Xi’s China isn’t that power.
So, the question: Can Modi swing back to where India is the stronger power that wants peace with Pakistan? Much as you may detest Pakistan, it is also more prone to global, especially Western, influence. Especially when it is an economic basket-case. There is also a shared global interest in moderating the nature of the Pakistani polity. It can’t happen overnight. But if you do set yourself on that course, it would necessitate adjustments in your domestic politics. The tricky call then: Does your electoral politics drive your strategic choices, or the other way around?
The platter, or the thaali, of choices before Modi is the old one. Nehru chose the worst, Indira the right but temporary one, Manmohan Singh tried a third but didn’t have time or political capital.
Also read: Modi govt and military leaders have soldiers’ blood on hands. PM’s dilemma now same as Nehru
There is no point in expounding lengthy theories, hypothetical options on present Chinese behaviour. China don’t give India, as a nation other option than retaliating in whatever ways possible to this senseless aggression. Today, they claim sovereignty over Galwan vally. Knowing their delusions in east China sea, South China sea and in galwan, tomorrow they will definitely try to have Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and even the whole of NE region. Be persistent and persevere. If peace opportunity available unexpectedly in
our western and northern borders in future, yes, India should take advantage of it readily. But now, it is not the time to behave like headless chicken.
India has to see that yes it’s is having trouble with its neighbours but China is having trouble with bigger nations like USA Canada Australia Japan hongkong Taiwan etc. India has to seize this opportunity.
India cannot do what you advise. India will get a bigger beating if you try. The USA Canada Australia Japan hongkong Taiwan etc. do not share borders with China. Have they come out in support of India or condemned China over Galwan ? The BJP has created threats to China and Pakistan, so they will operate together to apply pressure simultaneously. The BJP has alienated all neighbours including Nepal. The BJP shattered the economy with demonetisation and Covid mishandling. The BJP encouraged unbridgeable animosity between Indians., and sooner or later outsiders will take advantage
“India has to see that yes it’s is having trouble with its neighbours but China is having trouble with bigger nations like USA Canada Australia Japan hongkong Taiwan etc. ” Bigger nations may be right for USA, Japan and India, but not Canada and Australia. Hongkong is part of China territory and Taiwan too but with different ruling government.
The facts is China has a clear land border with all of the 14 neighboring countries except two: India and Bhutan. How many neighboring countries India has and how many have India settled the border with so far? And what is India going to do with the border issues to all of the neighboring countries?
Mr Hello: Just how should
” .. India has to seize this opportunity.. ” ?
Care to elaborate Sir ?
The opportunity he thinks is all the MNCs will leave China and settle in India.
The Yogi claimed he is going to make UP a hub of industrial production by attracting US companies leaving China. They remember self reliance and at the same time crave for foreign money.
INDIA IS A CIVILIZATION STATE NOT A NATION STATE.
Bubble of special relationship between Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi and hence between India and China burst in May-June, 2020. It may not be failure of intelligence but unexamined assumptions that created echo chambers of imagined value of special relationship that led to complacency and ignoring basic rules of foreign policy and military engagements. Is there any other explanation for creation of multiple tactical pressure points by China along border and steadily deteriorating relationship with Nepal?
Modi’s BJP should know from their domestic politics there are no permanent enemies, and no permanent, only permanent interests. This rule also holds good in foreign policy. It is always important to have continuity with innovation that keeps in mind changing dynamics. Of course, keeping our interests and also understanding goals of others.
Did Modi govt failed to understand China’s goal of unification, assimilation and consolidation with Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tibet and whatever else they consider as their own in spite in of dispute and counter claims by India, Japan, Vietnam and other countries?
Galwan incidence has shown that China gives little importance to past peace arrangements. One option to counter China is to work closely with Russia, Nepal, Burma, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and other countries.
It is important to listen to experts and take opposition into confidence and be share truth with citizens. India is more important than any political leader hence cannot be equated with any past, present or future leader.
To call Nehru a weakling suggests deep pathological disorder among Indians but not reality. Nehru “dying .. politically and physically” is a cheapshot and false! Nehru’s resilience was legendary. China retreated to prewar position. Only Indians can insist that they were defeated when enemy runs away! All the “nationalist critics within his cabinet” were expelled under Kamaraj Plan by 1963. India did not add a single inch after Nehru. Nehru “forever be seen as a weakling” is wishful thinking of likes of Gupta.
Gupta is a confused type, one foot with Hindu fascism, and other foot in the liberal camp.
He gushes thus about Modi ‘Reading his mind is an act of daring. Over these six years, he has built a formidable reputation of delivering the most stunning surprises, without anybody having an inkling. Even on crucial strategic and foreign policy issues. Remember his sudden stopover in Pakistan on his way back from Kabul?’
As if Modi is a deep thinker that no one can gauge. Stunning surprises implies brilliance. Whereas all Modi’s acts have shown predictable wickedness : riots in 2002, demonetisation\, CAA-NRC…. In fact, Modi is a shallow, uneducated type, and that is why economy is shattered.
There is nothing stunning about Modi, India has received a beating from China, and the more I hear nonsense about Modi’s stunning brilliance, the more I think China did Indians a favour by giving a beating. In fact, Xi is stunning, he delivered a surprise that Modi had no inkling. He has got India’s money and land.
INDIA HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN AN INTACT VIABLE NATION, HOWEVER UNDER MODI, IT IS A INTERNALLY DIVIDED LOT WITH HORRIBLE RELATIONS WITH ALL IT’S NEIGHBORS. IT’S TOO LATE FOR MODI TO HAVE ANY RAPPROCHEMENT WITH PAKISTAN OR CHINA. THE US IS TOO PREOCCUPIED AT THE MOMENT. CHINA WILL KEEP ON PUSHING AS IT VIEWS MODI AS A WEAK LEADER WHO CAN BE EASILY PUSHED AROUND.
THE SUB-CONTINENT WAS HISTORICALLY BEEN MADE UP OF “PROVINCES” AND IT APPEARS TO BE HEADING TO IT’S NATURAL WAY. THE WORLD HAS BEEN “BALKANIZED” AND THE SUB-CONTINENT WILL SURELY BECOME ONE. THE DIMINISHED US AND CHINA WILL REMAIN THE ONLY TWO SUPER POWERS WITH CHINA HOLDING ALL THE SWAY WITHIN IT’S REGION.
I agree with you. China will take NE, India will find it difficult to hold Kashmir, and Hindus will use CAA-NRC to create a Kashmir like situation all over India.
Indians will be divided by RSS and Hindu communalism, and will be fighting amongst themselves. That makes it easier for outsiders to strike. That has been India’s history, and that is what we see in front of our eyes. Churchill was right that Indians will not be able to rule themselves. He understood the Hindu character, and the Chinese also do.
Why do i suspect you are a Paki ? Other than spewing hatred against Modi, RSS, Gobar …you make zero sense.
You suspect because you are a communal Hindu and you are not skilled enough to hide it.
If I make zero sense, then you can ignore me. But ignore me you cannot – and refute me, you certainly cannot !
Mr Satish: You may agree or disagree with Mr Rasgolla – that is your prerogative Sir. But rather than calling him names, why don’t you go through the intellectual exercise of making a credible counter-argument against him ? Or is that something they don’t teach at the shakha ?
Mr Satish: Mr Rasgolla makes perfect sense – it is just that you do not appear to have the intellectual wherewithal to counter him with facts.
A country as diverse and complex as India with so many religions, castes and linguistic groups – usually at loggerheads with each other – the divisive policy of Hindutva that the BJP and Modi bring to the table will only serve to polarise the nation even more. And nurture the many fissiparous forces already tearing the country apart.
Modi worshippers like you forget that India is not a country consisting of parts that have willingly “come together” but are “held together”, with varying degrees of force. Sikhs in Punjab have tried to leave the union with their violent struggle for Khalistan which cannot be declared as over; Kashmir is in flames; the North-East has been restive and so on. In the South, there is resentment for the BJP’s attempts to re-impose Hindi; Naxalites control large swathes of the country with GOI control de facto absent in these Naxal controlled areas. Yes, one might point out the hand of Pakistan & China in many of these conflicts. But hasn’t inept leadership in Delhi not been responsible for many a self-goal Mr Satish ?
Rosogolla you are very biased and opinion as if all Hindus are your enemies. May be so but for the record look at pathetic Islamic state of Pakistan before making your comments about Indian democracy. Don’t worry about Hindus they existed before Islam and will be there long after if end of all ignorant unfit to be human just watch next two years book mark this msg to compare your theories with reality.
Am I biased ? I cite the evidence always. I never said Hindus are all enemies. Not all Hindus are rioters and rapists. Sanghis and BJP Hindus are. They would admit themselves. You are with them.
‘just watch next two years book mark this msg to compare your theories with reality.
Modi said in 2014, just give me 60 months, I shall give you more development than Congress in 60 years.
So why do you need 2 more years ? What will you do ? Organise more riots and give away more land ?
Clarity is needed in India’s leadership.
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If a free and egalitarian society we are seeking, where individual rights and freedom is supreme over any group identities, if we value American & French revolutions – the choice is clear.
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It is the alliance with Greek-roman civilization we should choose over others. A clear & public alliance. In a family – we lose some individual choices – but it makes you fundamentally strong and secure. Your day will come, being the sole carrier of the Ancient.
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And unity among such nations is key to fight the dual imperialism that threatens the fundamental human spirit – Islamism & Chinese Nationalism.
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Let us grant Economic Freedom to Indian Citizens – Indian entrepreneurs, Indian Farmers. Ensure Universal Public Education. And study The First Amendment of the US constitution.
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And since Swami Vivekananda and his wisdom is important for the current leadership – the choice should be doubly clear.
When I read people like you, I can see why the Chinese and Pakistan deserve to give you a beating.
‘It is the alliance with Greek-roman civilization we should choose over others.’ When you are mired in casteism and communalism, what do you have in common with them ?
Mr Arunabha Ghosh: You pontificate:
“.. dual imperialism that threatens the fundamental human spirit – Islamism & Chinese Nationalism…”
Care to tell us where Hindutva figures in your analysis Mr Ghosh?
After all, Hindutva exponents Savarakar & later Golwalkar were highly enamoured by Adolf Hitler’s Nazism and Benito Mussolini’s fascism and their scapegoating of Jews weren’t they And they replicated that violent and divisive model in India didn’t they ? And isn’t the ideology of Hindutva, which is Savarkar’s “gift to mankind nothing” but a variant of Nazism wherein the Jew in Hitler’s Nazism is replaced by Muslims & Christians in Savarkar’s Hindutva ?
Yes Chinese nationalism, militarism and debt diplomacy are a global threat. But is Hindutva any better Mr Ghosh, despite having a somewhat lesser reach? The BJP’s Hindutva and its state sponsored violence against Muslims has resulted in the tarnishing of brand India abroad, in particular in the Middle East. And that potentially jeopardises the livelihoods of many Indian migrant workers who toil there and send remittances (approx. 40 billion USD/year) back to shore up the tottering Modi mismanaged economy.
Shouting about Chinese nationalism when Hindutva nationalism is rife in India is tantamount to throwing stones whilst living in a glass house Mr Ghosh.
Mr. Ghosh is a conceited upper caste opportunist, who after the beating from China, now imagines India has a lot in common with the west. But as you point out his Hindutva culture is the Nazism, which the west has abandoned.
After the beating from China, these upper caste fellows are disoriented.
Rasgolla: Like you, I disagree with the views of Mr Arunabha Ghosh. But that disagreement can be expressed without becoming disagreeable. I have no intentions of criticising Mr Arunabha Ghosh’s caste or his religion, only his views.
Let us strive to keep the debate civilised please.
Alright, agreed. Although Ghosh’s views and prejudices come from his upbringing.
I do appreciate your style.
Mr Rasgolla; You write below:
“Alright, agreed. Although Ghosh’s views and prejudices come from his upbringing.
I do appreciate your style”
I appreciate your feedback Sir.
Also love the many incisive, hard-hitting and hard to refute comments you make here. Keep the good work going please. I guess people like you who view the current state of affairs in India through a non-saffron prism and at the same time have the ability to see through the Modi spin are few and far between. May your tribe increase !
If India gets out of this conflict strong it’s bad news for Pakistan and if China crush India its bad new for all of Indian and Pakistani Muslims in the long run as CCP will sterilise remaining Muslim population of Asia and keep marching toward other targets of Asia and Pakistan Nepal Bhutan other countries are no match so bring it on and let’s see how this world ends for Hindus enough of living with shitty neighbors.
India is a democratic country and it is natural to align with democratic countries. China is the neighbour but it doesn’t mean that his fascist communist regime will encourage intrusion on our borders by PLA and breach India’s sovereignty. I am still surprised why the successive central government in Delhi encourages imports from China. Please stop unnecessary imports from China and give employment to youth by establishing and supporting local industries. These cheap electronics and electrical items have ruined our local industries. Some experts are saying that import ban from China will more harmful for us than China but I am saying one thing that imports ban on cheap and unnecessary goods will hurt China only.
The meaning of Xi’ s life (career) is thus a bit like playing with a live hand granad. Once you pass it on to someone else. You are safe.
It was always known that China will violate agreements; the Q was only when? The “when” has multiple answers. The current time is just one of them. It is also not that India has not been preparing. India is aware and has been constantly beefing up its defenses across the LAC as best as it can. So has been China on their side.
On a nebulous border on most of the more than 3500 km length, how can one forever depend on non-military type agreements like no weapons, no firing, no explosions, “I patrol now, you patrol later” etc. An undependable and aggressive China can be expected to violate these norms and play games as and when it suits them. After all the maxim “All is fair in love and war” is enduring.
In the absence of a judicial process to decide the border dispute, there are only two options – neither of them is easy or well defined.
1. Winner of a duel decides – whatever the manner of the “duel” – more this is prolonged more will be the cost in terms of “(wo)men and materials”.
2. Negotiate (diplomacy or whatever…); in which case there will be some give and take
India (and China) has to decide. Sooner the better. Everything else is academic, media fodder and offers breeding ground for “experts” especially for Veterans who had a chance once upon time.
Present situation is being created by china to show the neighbouring small countries that india has no muscle and there is no need to toe any line fromIndia like it’s happening with Nepal and it is the only leader in the region ahead of even Russia and at the same time challenging the might of America as world leader as the world has not been able to do anything inspite of crying hoarse that virus was spread from china it wants to establish it self as world super power and this show of might be a small step towards achieving that.
The issue is not with ‘the Chinese have noticed how vital a factor “face” is for Modi’ but rather the singular face. If India had a more formidable set of faces , the chinese would have had a great difficulty in their assessments of so many.
This thinking is like elementary in global scenario GIVING history of Mr. NEHRU what mistakes he made is well documented and judging Mr. Narendra Modi on his past does not give his mend set. As I understand dealing with china is like PLAYING “GO” INSTEAD of chase
China is pressurising India not to go US way on WHA report on covid-19 or accept extended G10 membership. Let us look at the economic consequences for China on WHA report on Covid-19, all loans worth 500 billion USD that it has loaned to more than 100 countries will get written off as covid-19 expenses. Secondly, majority of MNC’s will pack their bags and leave China. Third no one will buy Chinese products. The great chines economy will collapse on it’s knees in less than 3 years.
A broken China is in the interest of USA, because it will retain the title of single superpower and retain it’s hegemony.
All this USA wants to be done on India’s shoulders
By accepting G10 membership, India will resign from G20 and the latter will become useless. G20 without India will be nothing but a club of Chinese countries
The pressure tactics China is playing with India is to save itself. India must realise the opportunity to tame the dragon right now
Modi has the toughest problem of his career. To control China he will neutralize pakistan by taking it over thus eliminating India’s ‘western front’. This way he will kill 2 birds with one stone. 1. Solve the current belligerent china problem 2. Make the only muslim terrorist nuclear country DISAPPEAR.
No. 2 will do the world a great favor-eliminate the epicenter of terror/radical islamic extremism.
What have you been smoking Mr Sunil Kologi ?
Hindus will also disappear from India in the process when Pakistan and China strike. You must be living safely abroad in a Muslim or Christian country.
It is best to keep your mouth shut and use your brains, otherwise China and Pakistan will team up and give India another beating. Nepal, BD and maybe even Sri Lanka would join in. Nobody likes Modi, BJP and RSS – many Indians don’t like them either because the damage they have done.
It obvious that options brought out by Shekhar are only available at this point of time. But it is said that Modi trusted Xi is not seem correct, what else you could do with a super power who is belligerent, expantionist. These are the stretagic situations have been imposed by virtue of being in such a geopolitics. For sure , History will weigh the action taken by Modi in these unprecedented conditions. And will decide the fate of India…
All this while Hindus were telling us India is a superpower, so why are you saying now ‘what else you could do with a super power who is belligerent, expansionist’. What are the nuclear weapons for ?
China is nothing in front of India as far as Modi is concern. If clash China will have internal clash for the democracy and it is well known. So this is not weak India as at the time of Nehru and not weak leader as Nehru.
The author is anti Indian and pro chinese that is why he is projecting like this. He has not reported the loss of Chinese in terms of self respect and economy. China will definitely destroy.
suffering from illusions and delusion about India’s capabilities. when motor cycles in India run on Chinese wheels pharma ingredient comes from China , India has outsourced its industrial production criticals to china as it could not tame its work force and went for freebies for economically backwards provided platforms for unemployables India has to set for new norm s which considering idling and festivity culture is challenging
If you have nothing to offer you term the writer pro china and anti national.
Shekar Gupta what is the evidence of your negative perception How much China money in your pocket. Reveal that first as that is our conclusion just as you perceive India. Your article is not constructive opinion. Since your crumbs are denied by this government so demoralise the nation. Your will not respond to this opinion but want us to change our opinion about our respected PM whom we have elected. Why we elected this decisive PM is he is better than your Moun Baba PM who was leading a gang of arrogant most currupt in India’s mafia where laws were manipulated to show the legality of. Corruption. You have and still are defending this gang because you also may be corrupt or why else you will defend them. Why else will you show our present PM in bad light without evidence of wrong doing. Our PM may commit an error but that will be done in good faith. We most of Indians are ready to forgive him because we respect him and that is the reason we all have elected him the second time. So do not cast aspersions on our choose. You may not like for your vested interest. Out of this coloumn it clearly shows you want the people of India to be demoralized. Personally I don’t want to read your opinion ,as many others may want to do the same to avoid your vested opinions but you manage to thrust upon us through these type of news portals. I consider you as dubious person in your profession. Your tittle Xi has thrown a gauntlet as if Xi has come to you and wispered in your special ears . If you call yourself a journalist then do reporting facts with evidence not opinions on the sly.
‘Why we elected this decisive PM’ – this is the PM who said China did not cross LAC.
The decisive PM who has no planning for Covid or economy.
Only decisive planning is for riots. That is why you elected him.
Rasgolla if you have all the answers why don’t you become the PM or supreme leader oor xi jinpinga mini me ? We got it you hate Hindus and Modi and rss and everything that is current state of India which is your opinion and hatred noted but are you offering to the people whom you don’t hate in that continent ? Blindly supporting Modi or xi or any dictator has not turned out to humans in that region. Give me one example of which PMmor global leader has done better than Modi with f ‘d up democracy opposition parties Chinese virus floods unemployment CCP terror internal factions corruption the list is long. I get enough hate mails let’s get over that if you have a positive constructive message enlighten us here.
‘Thin skin’ and ‘larger than life image’ – Definitely the journalist in Shekhar has gotten the opportunity to take it out on Modi again. This time the iron is hot and in its heat there is a slight chance to burn the Modi fort. India’s PM is behaving just the way anyone who keeps country’s interest before his own should behave. People watching Modi have no doubt he would leave a penniless man when he leaves the PM office, can’t say the same for the others most journalists are rooting for. In the case of China, there are not many options unless you count showing cowardice and hiding it under the carpet. China has not woken up today, from South China sea to the island off the cost of Japan to J&K it is now re-asserting itself using its resources and wealth. Peace is not in the interest of the communist party, so what can blind the masses – it is this perpetual war. That China and thus Chinese people have been wronged by everyone. The neighbours need to burn for the spectacle of the revolting family. There is more Chinese aggression coming and not just for India. India has to keep its feet firm and set its priority on defending itself. No other country will come to its rescue this time but India is definitely capable.
I agree with you 100% I know this Shekhar guy in and out.
We need to replace China as the manufacturing hub of the world, improve critical infrastructure, increase ease of business and so many other things to improve the economy. India needs to take care of the country’s miserable outlook, the standard of living needs to be improved everywhere, especially for the poorest of the poor.
Then there would be an influx of foreign investments, getting people jobs, these jobs would teach valuable skills to people, having own technical expertise. Even China began as just a manufacturer, but now they even develop their own technology which is among the best in the world and has thus increased the value of China worldwide.
It is ridiculous to take policy decision of a country,in hurry.The decision, whatever it may be, will have its effect on 135 crore people of India. Hence a good knowledge of the ground situation and the impact and probability of the aftermath effect are to be considered
The Chinese are an unpredictable lot.
Not a single word or utterance has come from the Chinese leaders whereas it is headlines news every day in India.
Chinese history and cultural ethos bears testimony that”Face” matters as much as territory to them.
And, an uncomfortable fact remains that despite our brilliant millitary power and preparedness, China is certainly not Pakistan.
आज से पहले के लीडर,सेना के ईमानदार अफसर व पहले जैसी सोच वाले भारतीय कभी नहीं मिलने वाले हैं।फौज का राजनीतिकरण,आर एस एस का दखल,राजनीति पहले,देश बाद में और बहुत कुछ बदल चुका।देश आज मर रहा है आप नेहरुजी की बात कर रहें हैं,अरे भाई बहाने मत बनाओ,काम करो।
Xzin Ping Pong or Jhula diplomacy failed utterly and shocked the whole nation. 20 soldiers were clubbed to death. What next?
Nikal pehli fursat me
Next step is overdue : for Hindus to recognise Modi is useless. That stage is still not reached as I see Hindus making excuses to cover him. One or more beatings will be needed. That is coming.
It is too early to call Modi’s attempt a failure. These are issues that take years to conclude. There are things that have not worked. Prime Ministers are judged by history.
Keep hoping.
after a long time read a good article
You must be a Shekhar Chamcha.
Best bet would be to talk less (& not be considered suffering from a footinthemouth disease), say bye-bye to divisive policies (the nation loves a leader who can embrace everyone in it), build an even stronger & modern armed force, don’t get too carried away in counting & announcing the losses, reach out to the free world with more conviction & appear to be a more (not mere) democratic government……& finally, get Russia to say something strong (as in warn) to China & back you up, for all the past years of soft-peddaling of Russian actions in the name of NAM (which is extinct now) . The mistrust between the US & China isn’t going to lessen any more if India warms up to the Russians & gets them to tell China to lay off. You’ll have to believe the Chinese gets worried on that count. Economically, get all NRIs & PIOs to give something back to their country other than commiseration, and making it easier for them to set up shop by exemplifying virtues of corruption-free industry & trade. Remove the created schisms of race, region, religion, caste, financial & social disparities between your own fragmented populace, so that unity is not a privilege only. Show by action you care rather than mouth platitudes. Don’t lie.
Yes, divisive politics is what has slowed the development of our nation considerably, we need to end this by being one as a nation, not looking as someone’s cast, creed, color, religion and what not.
China is counting on the snakes within the country to ensure India is not able to oppose their grand designs and delusions like belt and road and what not. They were prematurely aspiring for the sole superpower role and then came Corona (their gift to the world) and when world is now fed up with China, they go on the offensive. Hong Kong, Australia. Even tiny Sweden.
Now let’s try and get frisky with India….but they forgot that right now, fortunately, India has a man tough as the nails on the rods they used to attack our soldiers — and got a ferocious response. And they don’t have the stomach to reveal the number of casualties they suffered.
Indians like Shekhar are the real enemies of India, That is why this country had been slave to outsiders for 2000 years. I have given up hope for unity. Perhaps slavery is now embedded in our genes.
Why if someone does something wrong should it not be pointed out. What sort of attitude you have. Even if we lose land and soldiers you say that our dispensation should be praised. Kya nek vichar Sarker.
Will you be comforted by knowing the losses of Chinese. What sort of attitude you have. That means you have no sympathy for the Indian lives lost.
Alliance with the US means tax payers of India will bleed to death every drop of any monies if remaining.
The logistical costs alone to station the US on ground (eg: Gulf War) has torn the oil rich economies over the years.
Does our gov have such reserves to house the US forces? Not a smart move at all!
India would lose one more friendly neighbor, the Russia that always stand by it, would probably look the other way!!
High time the government calls in experts in global/international relationships.
I have known ‘THE PRINT’ Reputation as that of sold media and anti India, especially when they are taking money from China and Pakistan and running the agendas that are anti India and trying to discourage Indians, but they have always underestimated the power of Indians and m sure they have certainly underestimated Mr. Modi… Wait and watch and also buy ample burnol for your team coz later you might not find China on map itself..
You are having really tall dreams. dream to glory.
There are many options for Prime Minister Modi than those mentioned in this article.
Xi’s personal and China’s overall military power comes from economic strength. This is right time to drain China’s economic power with most of the world nations who are hurt economically from covid19 initiated in China can align with India to engage in trade action. India itself has over $60 Billion trade deficit with China that can be reduced to zero. Other nations would follow too.
As far as military response is concerned one has look far back in history of Vietnam wars against China. China has never dared to attack Vietnam’s sovereignty ever again. India needs to stand still on its ground which is so remote and rugged for China’s advantage.
How could you compare Vietnam with India.
If China is so strong what is stopping CCP PLA from taking Taiwan and stop harassing Chinese minorities ? I have heard and see too big to fail theories and CCP is very hollow from inside. All CCP supporters and India haters here enjoying their freedom of speech thank their respective gods there are not in China yet!
I totally disagree with Mr. John of giving a base for Americans to solve the issue. Not at all. Who will bear the expenses. They do everything for a price, huge price. Think twice…
Good article Shekhar Ji! Modi’s hunger for ego is written all over his face and actions and is well fed by his mindless followers. He is stuck like Nehru whom he hates. While Nehru was blinded by his compassion Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai, Modi has fallen in this trap excited by daily of eulogizing followers. What a twist of time (WAQT KI HER SHAI GULAAM)
We are in for a shock even a limited war with China.
Good Luck India!
Anything happens on diplomatic front and Indian liberals start crying for rapprochement with the Jihadi republic of Pakistan.
Modi stared down 11 Ping in Doklam, he can do again in Ladakh.
It would be better to align with US and its alies (Infact, if possible, better to join NATO) and allow them to set up camps in border areas to have secured india. We can believe them rather than our neibhours. China is alway not a country to believe. It does not respect any treaty. They are great liar. They are always trouble creator. It is not a responsible nation. (We can give plenty of example includin Covid 19). All (Srilanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maltheives) are ready to back stab us like Indian National Congress in India. But one thing I can say for sure that law of Karma will take care of them (Chinees). For which no one is exempted.
Simply ridiculous. Let Great Modi have sometime to consolidate. It is easier to comment after the act but difficult to foresee things to come. I can say that we as pure Bhartiya
should stand with our loving leader.
You are all good for nothing human creatures.mind your own quality & business?
With this post, Is there any doubt left that Shekhar Gupta is not a Chinese agent
How you come to such a conclusion. If someone writes an article detailing hard facts you call him anti national and paid agent of Pakistan or China. You are blinded by daily propaganda and believe all of it to be true. Grow up come out of the cocoon and see the reality.
This author perhaps is on payroll of PRC +PLA for USD5 and 5o cents as is payd to a bonded labor in PRC.
Forgot… He is also leading becon of lutyens and with complexity arising from inferiority… And hence is immensely myopic in his thoughts and narrative… Guess he is so old and belongs to stone age era, forgiving is the only option unlike he giving Modi 3 options…
Great article Sir.as a BJP supporter and BJP’S LIBERAL I FOUND THIS CORRECT WE SHOUL D TRADE WITH PAKISTAN BECAUSE IT WILL PRESENT FRIENDLY IMAGE OF INDIA AND MOREOVER IT WILL HELP US IN REDUCE EFFECT OF CHINA ON PAK.AND I WANT O ALL EXTREME LEFTISTS OR EXTREME RIGHTISTS NOT TO FIGHT WITH THE WRITER.YOU COULD FIGHT ITH VIEWS BUT NOT WITH SIR.CALLING HIM URBAN NAXAL WILL END FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN INDIA
AMIT SHAH’S “TERMITES” TOO DEFEND INDIA
In the light of the Chinese attacks along the border, it is worthwhile asking whether the India of 2020 is the India of 1962. No, I am not talking of economic or military changes in the country but the nature of the leadership in the country and whether said leadership has sown unity or discord in India.
Nehru’s India of 1962 may have been punier and weaker economically and militarily. But Nehru – for all his actual faults and the many more imagined faults ascribed to him by the BPJ – firmly believed in nation building. Indians of all faiths and persuasions fought the 1962 war, herunder my own father. The nation rallied behind Nehru. Additionally, Nehru’s diplomatic efforts ensured that a large chunk of the Islamic world was not hostile to India.
But can that be said of the Modi & Shah regime and the fragmented India they have created in 6 short years? Today, the country is polarised along religious lines. Muslims and Christians are treated in exactly the same way Savarkar & Golwalkar wanted them to be treated – the Constitution be damned. In the India of MoSha, the Muslim stand a very high chance of being lynched and the Christian getting his church burned. Indeed, even Muslim soldiers who have fought for India run the risk of being detained in concentration camps as was the case of Capt. Mohammad Sanaullah.
Compared to 1962 it may certainly be a more powerful India confronting the Chinese today. But compared to 1962, it is a far more fragmented, far more religiously polarised and a far less united India that faces China today.
After all, Amit Shah did call a significant chunk of Indians “termites” didn’t he?
My few lines in poetry which abs sync with your article on Modi and the Xi gauntlet thrown at him: my forecast is commendable indeed!
An attempt at a Poetic Review/ a PERT of the Indian emerging scenario shared with my global friends a week or so ago…..:-
A TRYST WITH DESTINY-
We had jacked up our happiness with the corrupt ways of the silent Man Moron government then…
We had real hopes of a non-Nirav Modi emerging in 2014, we said.
The Simple Simon Man impressed us all. But in his eyes I now see no dawn.
Eyes speak we are taught and in Modi I now find some fraught.
He orates like an angry old Bachaan and weaned our hearts
But first thing he jacks up our happiness with demonetization too.
Sermons us like Mark Anthony over Caesar dead body he did!
But in his eyes I today spot forebode with gloom
Then we elect him back as there are other incommunicable monkeys in the fray.
Thinking Modi was humane and sane. The bred not born Messiah! He will show the Way!
But Modiconomics did us even more inn. And who knew China would now let the Covid free?
Taming the world and bringing to knees them all- But first a Churchill less India Tree!!
The Lock down sure showed the way! What Management Revelations can dare!
Migrant labor was first to feel the pain as only Slowly we realized
we have been shoved another royal bamboo-On our happiness way.
Riled in a matrix of existential cage we now puff and pray
Much as a Waste Bengal State Governor rants to rule in rage!
AtmaNirvarata only our women folks show better in our battered houses…
Ah! But save with Gas Modi never penetrates there!
Federal Modi continues to show some confused way
even as our neighbors better understand how now Modi to tame.
Will Modi then show us the WAY? Or how end of the world be postponed for lack of Trumpet Players, I say?
Indian peoples are a battered lot across all frays….as hope darts at helplessness today.
[please improve on these lines as I had a sudden spurt and just wrote…AMEN!]
You may like to remember that for many Hindus, Modi was a strongman because he beat up minorities. That is the sole reason Hindus adulate him and your omission shows who you are.
Hmm based on my research on Chinese minorities including uighurs refugees Modi is better than CCP xi. If you are a real human rights minority right activist the. You would not be supporting hoping CCP unless your shortsighted hope and wish may come true then You will noT be online as there are no rights for minority sympathisers in Xi’s CCP manifesto.
I did not support China or Xi. Modi did. He said he had a Plus One relationship with China, and many cannot grasp it. He sold Indian economy to China and also gave up land. I did not vote for him. You are defending him – on the grounds Xi is worse.
A completely unpredictable man. His words, body language and anger speaks. He has only one motive Nation First.
As if others in the past had Nation afterwards!
There is a lot being discussed about how and whether India will have to to the challenge of China.
The track record of China in claiming surrounding territories as belonging to themselves does not need repetition. In some instances it is direct claim and acquisition. In some others it is economic domination.
So many countries are impacted adversely by China’s belligerent bullying.
Why is it not being discussed in this context? The world paid a big price for night coming together, but ignoring such signals when the Nazis were in power. Germany
Force must be met with force .
Apathy that our own countrymen letdown the nation. Standing united in adversity should be the hallmark of Indians irrespective of party line and cadre. Situation during Nehru’s time and now is totally different. We are highly capable to stand the war with China though situation will be a limited war instead of a full fledged. China can’t go for war with India. Needling doesn’t help but loose global support and may have to bear the brunt thrown upon it by many nations for its own make in corona pandemic issue.
Don’t worry India will stand against any aggression as Modi is there with his team and support of countrymen which will be a force multiplier.
Lie to your people and pretend all is fine and hope that China is content with whatever it has got this time. This is what the govt seems to be doing now and it is helped by a pliant media, no opposition worth the name and the enormous, never-ending political capital of the PM. But this approach can unravel if circumstances stop favouring the PM. Plus Xi holds strong cards and can force Modi’s hands at any time.
Embarking on a 2 front war at this time is foolishness which I think no Indian PM will even consider.
A sober analysis. But aligning with a great power need not be complemented with another strategic measure signalling India has turned two corners. The first one is enough and perhaps also an overkill concerning China. Shedding the narrative of strategic autonomy is not a step that will have localised impact say in South Asia but will be a major geopolitical shift for the whole world signalling a new era.
However, this proposed pathway will be effective if it is complemented by domestic changes which signify India has really turned a corner and shed its Socialist hangover starting by amending the Preamble, removing the very word. Backing it up with economic performance that accrues from further de-regulation, India would only be doing what it wants to while marketing it successfully as another facet of a dynamic “natural alliance” with the US.
As for China and Pakistan, an overt strategic partnership with the US comes with its own ideological and material weight. Appropriately estimating India’s political and economic capital in the Indo-Pacific region compounded with the backing of a big power, there is plenty of headroom to leverage the animus some ASEAN nations hold against China. The containment strategy that ensues from this alliance would force Beijing to reconsider its incessant muscle flexing and would undoubtedly lead to some concessions on multiple fronts, not to mention a public loss of face for Xi who is already set to face the music sooner or later within his party.
The big question on this strategy is what happens with the relationship with Russia? As a natural consequence, it changes. But being the larger economic power, India has the opportunity to manage that change. Putin’s designs are increasingly focused on Europe and his appetite for confronting the US elsewhere is also diminished while he shares a strategic view about China with India especially in the Eurasian region where China is attempting to erode its influence. An India aligned with the US would have to manage Russian concerns with pragmatism keeping it more vary of China than the US. This is a challenge commensurate with India’s aspiration of being an eventual big power.
The precarious position that Modi finds himself in today is not unprecedented but breaking out of it would be. In order to do that, the options on his table are same as before but it maybe the first time that a PM’s romanticism with reform effectively changes the face of India along with the geopolitical reality of the the world. Maybe in the process or perhaps as a result of it, Modi or at least the BJP may really be able unlock the potential of India’s economic might that everyone has been talking about.
It all starts with giving up this pretence that non-alignment/strategic autonomy works as a sound foreign policy design. Retrospectively, one can reduce the whole concept as a cocktail of Nehru’s lust for leadership doused with optimistic constructivism, broken in effect by none other than his own daughter to forge an alliance with the USSR.
Breaking out of this non aligned notion doesn’t have to be a knee-jerk reaction to Chinese border transgressions, that would be seen as weak timing. Particularly so because the US faces a dramatic election but once that is over, India must move to secure this partnership which Washington has been all to eager to offer. Depending on how one reads the signs, the above objectives fall within the capacity of New Delhi to execute. After all if anyone can spin the shedding of the policy of strategic autonomy as a win, it is Modi.
We Indians should bow down to China and give them the useless land where not even a blade of grass grows. Also hnd over Kashmir to Pakista. afterall the Muslim Majority Kashmir should have been in Pakistan afterall that was the reason india was partitioned on religeous ground.
I agree. Better to resolve conflicts. The creation of Pak was inevitable as Sanghis threatened Muslims (same as they do now).
No stern action is required. Just build the BRO road properly, make air bases at every strategic points, provide the military with good dwelling places at high altitudes, watch every enemy move through satellites. It is not war which is required, but show the preparedness…
Finally, a sane, sober comment shorn of jingoistic chest-thumping. Thanks for that nugget Mr C. Gopalarajakrishan.
Manmohan Singh n Indira better PMs than others…Atal jee too. Only showbiz by modi nehru n others
This sold out Shekhar Gupta’s opinion deserves it place in dustbin.
Mr S,
Try the same kind of stuff in China about their govt and see what will happen to you.
You have liberty here in India and you should value it.