India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received many awards. He often receives international awards and recognition just before key elections in India. It is surprising then, that he hasn’t been in the reckoning for the Nobel Peace Prize. If he could win the Seoul Peace Prize, why not the Nobel?
The Nobel Peace Prize goes to either issue-based campaigners or peace-makers. Narendra Modi is both. To make a stronger claim for the Nobel, Modi may want to look at the 2019 winner of the prize Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
Hope and expectations were high when Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, defeating an unpopular incumbent government. Abiy Ahmed became the Prime Minister of Ethiopia under similar circumstances in April 2018. Such was the promise his rise held out that it was termed ‘Abiymania’. Modi and Abiy have another great similarity: both believe in personal touch, especially in diplomacy. Both believe in promoting a personality cult around them.
To draw an analogy is not to say the two situations are exactly the same. Of course, Ethiopia is not India. India’s GDP per capita is nearly three times that of Ethiopia’s.
The conflict in Ethiopia, the number of internally displaced people, the levels of political violence and repression, the number of journalists and political opponents in jail and in exile have all been of a scale that India hasn’t seen. Except, today we can’t be sure if India isn’t hurtling down that path.
If PM Modi wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize, he should see how Abiy has been taking Ethiopia from authoritarianism to democracy, from repression to freedom, and from conflict to reconciliation. Abiy is climbing up a ladder that Modi is climbing down.
Also read: Abiy Ahmed has won the Nobel Peace Prize, but Ethiopia still faces big challenges
Who wants a national security state?
Ethiopia was ‘partitioned’ in 1993 when Eritrea broke away from it. The separation was messy, and both sides fought a war over territorial claims along the border, especially over one disputed region, from 1998 to 2000. The war ended in a stalemate. A low-intensity conflict continued to take lives. The story would sound familiar to any Indian or Pakistani.
The United Nations found that the disputed land should go to Eritrea, but Ethiopia wouldn’t part with it. The conflict over a piece of land cost 80,000 lives. Among those engaged in the war was Abiy Ahmed, who was then an army intelligence officer.
You would expect an army officer-turned-president to be a hyper-nationalist like Modi. Instead, Abey said Ethiopia would follow the recommendations of the peace agreement signed in 2000. Violence and hostility immediately ceased. It is for this effort that Abiy has been given the Nobel Peace Prize.
Narendra Modi’s rule, by contrast, has only heightened tensions with Pakistan. The Indian case has always been that the Pakistani army wants permanent hostility and therefore uses terrorists. But India can neutralise Pakistani terrorism by arriving at a rapprochement with Kashmiris. Kashmiri alienation from Delhi has provided the ammunition to Pakistani terrorism.
Modi’s actions, however, have destroyed whatever goodwill New Delhi had in Srinagar. With the dismantling of the state of J&K, the conflict with Pakistan has deepened. This raises the risk of terrorism, which will be followed by military action. The vicious cycle of violence could make India a national security state.
Who needs dissent?
Former army officer Abiy Ahmed does not want Ethiopia to be a national security state. He wants peace, freedom and democracy. His Eritrean counterpart wasn’t made to share the Nobel prize because he runs a repressive regime.
Since 1995, Ethiopia has been run by a coalition of four parties, together called the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Elections are a bit of a joke: the EPRDF won 500 out of 547 seats in 2015. Press freedom was muzzled, opposition leaders jailed, dissenters exiled. When Abiy took over in 2018, he released thousands of political prisoners, invited exiled dissenters back, and put dissenting voices in key positions.
Among them was a former political prisoner and opposition leader who was appointed the head of national election board. Abiy wants the 2020 general election to be free and fair. Ethiopia is already enjoying unprecedented freedom of speech and expression. The opponents and dissenters in Ethiopia were earlier labelled terrorists. In Modi’s India, they are now labelled anti-national, anti-Hindu and ‘urban Naxals’, whatever that means. Abiy has significantly expanded political space, Modi is shrinking it.
In Modi’s India, journalists could soon start filling up the jails if you look at how the Uttar Pradesh police has been filing FIRs against local journalists. While Ethiopia wants its elections to be credible, Narendra Modi’s government is going after a dissenting Election Commissioner by sending his family I-T notices. The Election Commission of India did not come across as impartial in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The entire political class in Kashmir has been put under house arrest, and a selective anti-corruption purge across India is targeting only political opponents. As Ethiopia improves on press freedom indices, India’s rank has been slipping.
There’s another area where Modi could learn from Abiy Ahmed in his quest for the Nobel Peace Prize. Abiy is reforming Ethiopia’s economy for real, privatising state-owned companies and driving economic growth. India is going through an economic slowdown while Ethiopia’s growth rate is touching double digits (and nobody is accusing Abiy of fudging data).
Also read: What is the Ethiopia-Eritrea deal, which won Abiy Ahmed the Nobel Peace Prize
Unity in diversity
None of this is to say that all is well in Ethiopia, but unlike Modi, Abiy isn’t claiming all is well. Greater political freedom has meant Ethiopia is seeing a revival of ethnic conflicts. While Ethiopia witnesses an aggressive debate over Ethio-nationalism and ethic-nationalism, the fate of 2.9 million or 29 lakh internally displaced people hangs in the balance.
Abiy is trying to strike a balance between federalism and nationalism. Given how Modi has converted the state of J&K into two union territories without people’s consent, it is tough to say Abiy should look at Indian federalism as a model. Modi’s regime threatens to impose one language, one religion, one election, one party on the country, whereas Abiy is figuring out a way for ‘unity in diversity’, Nehru-style.
He has set up a truth and reconciliation commission to end the country’s ethnic conflict. Modi, on the other hand, could be on his way to putting millions of Indian Muslims in detention centres and disenfranchising them. As lynchings of Muslims continue, his government refuses to act on the Supreme Court’s suggestion of enacting a new law against lynching.
Abiy’s slogan for Ethiopia is “Medemer”, which means adding together, similar to Modi’s promise of “Sabka Saath”. Since Abiy Ahmed’s slogan has been put into practice, he has won the Nobel Peace Prize. Modi must do an ‘informal summit’ with him soon to borrow some tips.
Also read: Brazil, Ethiopia & Kenya: A new wave of unlikely economic reformers
Views are personal.
Writer is complete low iq idiot…abiy ahmed is disaster and has been responsible for ethnic n communal tension…. he did nothing but realised that his nation was doing wrong n hence was forced to retreat…. his contribution to peace is virtually zero… writer is moronic imbecile with no intelligence of how international diplomacy works…. he should be grateful to modi that he is getting his daily bread by ranting nonsense….his another moron presstitute rubbishkumar got some dung award…m now antimodi brigade wants to dance…
Modi doesn’t need any Nonel prize.. he doesn’t care… by the way who is this moron?? you have given a very appropriate reply.. Thank you.
We can also look at it the other way. Abiy Ahmed Ali betrayed the interests of his own country to gain international recognition. And Ethiopia is a dangerous place. Do some research before you write.
Your imaginations about Ethiopian success are high and wild, but it needs to match the facts. Facts tells us that Ethiopia is not a peaceful land by any means.
Indian Peace-keeping force at work in Ethiopia. Kashmir is not the only place where the Indian Army fights :
https://youtu.be/-JejszPCH5s
Indian expatriates attacked in Ethiopia :
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-issues-travel-advisory-for-ethiopia-in-wake-of-attacks-on-expatriates-1553558-2019-06-21
Noble is not reputed to recognize contributions of Indians towards welfare of the world. They never recognized Baba Amte and, Mahamta Gandhi. Modi or any other Indian leader have never aspired to win Nobel and that too at the cost of compromising with Pakistan. The writer is imagining thinks which are not true and more then that good governance of the country is utmost important , peace with Pakistan will come when India becomes more stronger economically . Can Noble explain why Obama was given Peace prize?
Over to Imran Khan !
If Modi deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, it is for his Swachh Bharat campaign. It doesn’t matter that it is’nt working 100%.
History will judge him well in that.
Great article– am pretty disappointed by the remarks left by your readers. However, I am noticing a very gentle shift in the editorials of Print – from being anti establishment( authoritarianism, repression, conflict oriented) to justifying, rationalizing the behavior of this government. Your views match those of some of the commentators on utube channels–the bold and fearless ones. I don’t think you will survive long in The Print.
It all started when V K Singh in the last govt. said there will be a commission on the so called coup exposure in Indian Express. From that day onwards the tail is between the legs, as Guptaji will say.
Some people don’t need Nobel Peace prize to become a great person neither Mahatma needed Nobel prize nor will it requires for our PM.
Modi does not need Nobel prize. He will win the next election with bigger mandate than in 2019 because one, people of India trusts him, and second, there is no other leader .
Our aspiring class looks up to US and Trump . Nobel or no Nobel , whatever is happening in Ethiopia is not in their radar.
Time to start looking more closely at Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Are you one of the voters? And if she doesn’t win, are you eagerly looking at another 4 years of whining?
Senator Elizabeth Warren will sure win the presidency if she wins her party’s candidacy. Any of top five Democratic candidates running for president, Joe Biden, Bernie sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Pete Buttigieg, can easily beat Trump, according to the latest polls. Trump hasn’t a prayer now. So yes, the next president would be a democrat, who could well be Elizabeth Warren, who is leading now in polls.
And aoc for future.
!! Asatyam Shivam Sadaa Sandesham !!
Shivam We..zzzzzz himself was recently awarded ‘Kumar Ketkar Prize’ for his price-less contribution to journalism and very optimistic and positive outlook and hope of educating Modi through his innumerable articles.
I just hope “long live ThePrint”.
Why Shivam, why don’t you just join Pappu in his foreign soujourns?
!! Asatyam Shivam Sadaa Sandesham !!
Shivam We…zzzzzz needs to congratulate and pay me for being the original inspiration for this ‘Prize’ article through a previous comment on another article. 🙂
Very true. But lol be prepared for abuse. 😂😂😂.
Good article in apt picture.Good recitation in opening.
Brilliant. I am a fan of Shivam Vij. Such an awesome writer.
Shivam The only person who will ever win Nobel peace price will be Priyankaji. How much ever paid establishment journalists try to advise Modi he will not get it.
I firmly believe that our own PM Mr Modi is just one short statement away from a Nobel Prize for himself. Perhaps he can get it next year itself! All he needs to do is, say something along these lines : “we will concentrate on making our part of Kashmir a better place for its citizens, and Pakistan should do the same for the POK. The two countries will not eye each other’s territory. Citizens of two Kashmirs will be free to travel back and forth without a passport or visa, just as Indians and Napalese presently do not need such documents”.
Mr Modi should make such a statement out of the blue, without consulting anyone in his government or party, just as he issued the statement on demonetisation. If he could make a statement which will always remain a blot on his name, why can’t he make a statement which will have him remembered with fondness for all times to come!
Stop lecturing PM Modi, There’s no need to imitate anyone in pursuit of any award not even NOBEL. He is doing whatever is right for India. To correct the rotten governance of Congress rule of many decades, takes time and strong decisions.
You need a history lesson
Modi has not been elected to try and win any award, be it noble or any else. Awards that comes his way are coincidental. He has been elected to serve the nation to the best of his abilities, which he is trying to do sincerely..
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride on them
All bhakts who celebrate modi winning zyz award are degrading noble now. If modi was given noble they would have been proving how neutral is noble prize. They are extreme hypocrites
Please learn the spelling first. It is called Nobel prize.
It is ok to type wrong spelling. That doesnt take away the spirit behind the comment!
@Shivam
Let’s get this straight.
So Modi turuned to ask your advise to get the Nobel price.
When did u and your consulting companyu turn out to be the expert adviser for noble peace prize.
Is there no limit to your arrogance nor shame.
Remember you, Print , Sonia your paymaster just lost an election.
You are all bunch of losers.
Well since you live in an alternate world u may think and act as a winner
Look at the bunch of crap passing off as comments. They usually end up abusing any journalist/writer who has the temerity to show the mirror to the Government. This Govt or PM is somehow never to be criticized, questioned, berated or spoken badly off. Somehow they are divinely ordained to be always right.
The BJP’s only agenda is to keep winning elections. It has no idea on what to do after that. There is no goal, vision, strategy or tactics for anything. Meanwhile other countries are making real progress towards their goals. Ethiopia is trying to be democratic and modernising it’s economy, factories are moving to Vietnam and Bangladesh, China is frantically trying to catch up with the US and modernising it’s military while Indian Govt is repeating tired old cliches of “All is well”” There is peace in Kashmir. ”
The PM meanwhile jaunts around the world showboating in front of NRIs, then hosting other world leaders in useless summits, and gives full attention to the next round of elections. Ad nauseam.
Narendra Modi would rather like his counterparts in Pakistan and China share such an award!!!
Shivam exposes the lefty liberals’ obsession with foreign crumbs and foreign pat on the back. Because they are a deracinated lot with no self respect. Worse, they are eager to take money and awards from the West to run NGOs that weaken India from within. What Modi is doing is nation building. He is not doing it for cheap browny points from the West.
Hahaha. Howdy Modi, Philip Kotler Award are definitely not obsessive seeking of white man’s pat on the back. Lovely nation building as its economy goes down the drain.
It is not necessary that your views are the correct one and resonating with people. You had written so many articles like this before 2019 election and what happened? Please introspect and be impartial in analysis
Noble prize are given xian puppet of West, this Abiy could be that. Here in India we have to work for our self interests. Nobody care about these fake awards.
And for writer Vij, he should start writing something substantial. He along with lady Sikander seems to be a liability on print.
Prime a Minister Abiy Ahmed is a Muslim, not a Christian. I saw a video clip of him admonishing KSA and UAE for having forgotten the true spirit of Islam, of having lost their way. A very charismatic speaker, but the Nobel Peace Prize acknowledges that he both Walks and Talks. As an army intelligence officer, his natural instinct would have been to use force to solve a complex problem. The world needs more statesmen like him.
Interesting insight. India then needs to wait for its first Muslim PM who can admonish Pakistan for its adoption of radical Islam, while also persuading it to resolve the problems in the subcontinent. You very well know that a Hindu PM cannot achieve that certainly, whether he/she is liberal Hindu (like you) or of Hindutva brand (like Modi).
The dynamics is much more complex that it borders on absurd. Just one example: when India names it’s missile ‘Prithvi’, Pakistan launches a counter missile by the name ‘Ghauri’. I am sure you know the historical significance of these two names, though Prithvi is not named after Prithviraj Chauhan but after Mother Earth.
Modi may not want anything but Shivam Vij is desperate to please masters whose boot he is licking…
How true, ha, ha. This guy earns his bread not because of his journalism but because of Modi. He should be singing: ‘Modi hai to meri roti mumkin hai.’
Shivamji kahenge, Aap ashok ke saath toh itni tehzeeb ke saath baat karte hain, kuchh meherbaani hum par bhi kijiye …
Political arguments mein tehzeeb ka kya kaam. Shivam JI ki theeki zuban aur kalam ek taraf. Aap ka sadhu attitude ek taraf. Though aap politics discuss karte hain sadhu ka libaas pehen kar, par partiality ki gandh aati hai!!