Many Western powers aided India’s ascent, presuming that it would not misuse its power against its own citizens. Yet a recent wave of illiberal policies has eroded this confidence.
Addressing a conclave virtually, RBI Governor Das said times were uncertain and the central bank does not have the luxury of predicting a growth number and then changing it often.
SBI research report says number of rural districts with less than 10 cases has fallen to 14 in Aug, from 55 in June. Full-year contraction forecast in double digits.
Economists forecast an 8.7 per cent contraction in the second-quarter from year-ago levels, almost equaling the record 8.9 per cent decline posted in the first quarter.
For two decades, I had maintained that unlike the developed West, India should not be overly concerned about inequalities because our economy was in the growth phase.
Cleaning up bank balance sheets might stem current slump, but until lenders see major set of new opportunities, Indian economy won’t return to rapid growth.
For an industry globally classified as hazardous, protections such as health insurance and a provident fund for workers are necessities. In Sivakasi, they remain elusive.
The industry forecasts exports are set to grow 16% in 2025-26, boosted by surplus domestic production and a drive to push into 26 underserved global markets with strong potential.
Indigenisation level will progressively increase up to 60 percent with key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical parts being manufactured locally.
It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.
Some of the Hindus here write that the CAA-NRC was a humanitarian gesture on behalf of suffering minorities in Pakistan. It was not. The CAA was brought in after the first attempt at NRC in Assam ended up with the embarrassing result of more Hindus than Muslims declared as non-citizens. If the excercise was repeated elsewhere, the outcome would be the same. Then Shah hatched up the CAA, which excluded Muslims. When the CAA is combined with NRC, the Hindus who did not have papers could claim entrance through the CAA – but Muslims would not be able to do so. Then the concentration camps being built would be for Muslims, and Hindus will feel alright with that.
Of course, most Hindus will go along with CAA-NRC and believe it is a humanitarian gesture. However, in the west, they see the parallel with the Nuremberg race laws of Hitler which was the prelude to the concentration camps. That horrifies people in the west. There is a video by comedian John Oliver explaining the CAA-NRC very clearly, and my advice to Hindus is to watch it. Then you will realise you can fool yourself, but not the west. Several US city councils have passed resolutions condemning CAA-NRC.
Watch this year’s BBC interview of Ram Madhav and questions put on Golwalkar’s admiration of Nazis. There was the earlier interview where Mehdi Hassan of Jazeera bamboooed Ram Madhav over the RSS.
Take the recent attempt to give an alternative news on the Delhi pogrom organised in Feb 2020 by the RSS-BJP. Bloomsbury India’s Hindu editors passed the story for clearance. There were protests at the attempt to whitewash genocide. It came to the attention of Bloomsbury UK, the parent company. They immediately realised it would be damaging to them, and they squashed the publication. The westerners are becoming aware what is Hindutva, and its Hitlerian connections, so my advice to Hindus is not to fool yourselves.
Hence, what the author has written is correct : if India continues with aggressive Hindu fascism, then the west will be a less eager partner. People realise Hindutva is Nazism, Hindu style, and that is a big ‘no no’. The author realises that.
My advice to militant Hindus is you cannot have your cake and eat it : that is, beat up minorities in the Hitlerian style and expect the world to agree you are the victims.
The author has given gentle advice to Hindus, in a very polite and politically correct manner. As can be seen here, most Hindus do not receive the criticism of their fascism kindly. They feel they are the accused whereas they think Muslims should be the ones the west should be accusing !
My advice to Hindus will be as usual, not soft or politically correct !
Yes, you can say west has no business to advise on liberalism and they have always had business deals with non-liberal regimes. So India can tell them to go to hell with no consequence.
However, that works if you have a strong manufacturing economy like China’s or you have some essential raw material like oil or energy source. Even then, it is a temporary arrangement. In a BBC discussion, when the relationship between west and Saudi Arabia was discussed, a Dutch panelist said ‘they are our friends, though they are not the friends we would want’.
Now India does not have a strong manufacturing economy, nor is it a supplier of oil. What does it have ? It is a largely agricultural country, which transitioned partly to a service economy, with little manufacturing, It is a large market for the west – which is an opportunity to sell goods. But it depends on the locals having jobs and purchasing power to buy foreign goods. That is not the case after 2014. The economy shrank progressively after 2014, especially after demonetisation. Covid has taken it to -25% growth. India is also among the top shoppers for arms – but that impoverishes, as it is money going out.
With the above negative combination, you add lynchings, mob rule, pogroms, laws that discriminate (reminding westerners of the Nuremberg race laws), beat up students, infiltrate universities….. then people will shy away.
From about 1995 to 2014, the west started changing its image of India in the positive direction. There were articles in The Economist, Time etc. speaking of India in glowing terms as the next Asian Tiger. Unlike China, for the west there was the possibility of a country with a large market where they could combine trade and liberal values.
But due to the Hindu ultra nationalism, the author is right : India appears like an elected autocracy (Mahua Moitra), not a liberal democracy. Hindus also need to realise that the outside world is slowly getting to know Hindutva is fascism, and some of them know what is RSS. I scour the western papers : The Guardian, Independent, WP, NYT, The Economist, Time, WSJ, BBC etc. and now I see only articles that describe India as a failing state. The same people 10 years ago had written with admiring hope about India. Gone are the days when Thomas Friedmann and Fareed Zakaria wrote eulogies about India. There is a BBC interview from this year where Ram Madhav was asked about the RSS’s ideology and statements supporting Hitler and Nazi style policies for India.
So, Hindus you have messed it up for India with Modi ! It was foolish to think a chai wallah and genocidist with a forged degree would take India up. ,No point raging, get real with reality. There is karmic payback for wickedness. Of course, we are stuck with Modi for years to come, but prepare yourself for India’s decline and do some soul searching.
So if we go by Ashley J Tellis’ reasoning, India was extremely liberal four-five decades ago and has lost its liberal characeter recently- then pray tell us why did the West and the US opppsed India in the sixties, seventies, during the Indo-Pak wars?
This article is, plainly speaking, an attempt to use some biased narrative to further the West and US’ agenda- Indians are only asserting themselves under this government, because they have been pushed around too long both internally and externally. All countries are trying to maiximise their gains- the West particularly has been oppressive at this as the world’s experience in these past decades and centuries show. So, let us not try and get some brownies from them and learn to stand on our feet.
Ashley Tellis has informed India and indeed much of the world that according to him – the West is merely a liberal orthodoxy cloaked in a democratic facade. Apparently idealogical dogmatism to leftist liberal crusades is the only criteria for Western favor – not the actual idea of self actualization and political sovereignty that true democracy affords.
It is curious to note that while Ashley edifies us about our deviation from the global liberal project, he makes no mention of the political expression in the US of A that has chosen a decidedly illiberal President backed up by ostensibly illiberal policies. Is America now also “excommunicated” from the Western Church of Liberal Utopias?? Tellis should let us know…
Strange that India is Anti Minority Country? Muslims from Myanmar, Bangladesh and even Pak ‘rushing’ to India? Entire Muslim anti CAA movement was on this demand that Muslims from everywhere must be freely allowed in India. Again Strange that No Indian Muslim wants to go to Pak though this South Asian ‘landmass’ was divided into 3 parts two for Muslims and 1 for rest. Not only this they (genuinely) get angry if they are asked to go to Pak. Strange again that this persecuted minority increases from mere 9 % to 17 % population of that “persecuting” country? There is subtle demand again for a Muslim landmass called “Urdustan”? Strange again that they say persecuted minorities from religious republics must not be allowed here. What do you call this “PROJECT”? West is forcing India to become like CHINA?
if indeed , what the writer says is true, then China would not have become the economic superpower that it is now, inspite it being an authoritarion country……it would have become a pauper… Its a question of MONEY… HONEY……. most important India does not need any certification from any country about it being LIBERAL or otherwise….. We are what we are… Warts and all…..
If India keeps diluting its liberal character, the West will be a less eager partner.
A classic case of irrelevant write up for a predetermined narrative.
Other than the mention of 370-35A and CAA which has nothing to do with external partners the article under the ” diluting its liberal character” writes about everything which has nothing to do with headline.
Ashley J Tellis is ‘Aunty’ National. I am a 60 year old uncle who has completely rigid and stubborn views and will never allow anything to even remotely question my beliefs because then that’ll show how insecure and hollow I am. (even though admitting that issues exist will make everyone’s life a lot better and would also mean that I am open minded enough to incorporate facts as they change in time)
leftists and communists from all over the world to change India into a communist state under Muslim rule, silly communists forgot one thing, even though Christians, Ahamadiyas, Shias and communists supported for creation of Pakistan, they are the people first wiped out from Pakistan.
I so agree with the views of the author! We should be progressing with time, not regressing into illiberal, undemocratic thinking and behaving. It is imperative to keep the democratic spirit of our constitution alive! Let’s all work for that! Rise above narrow communalism, patriarchy, casteism and think and behave like citizens of a democratic country! ALL of us!
and we are. the political landscape has now changed from muslim hindu to development. Its just a matter of toys being taken away from children. Also CAA was aimed at minorities in the first place. Not Indian but Pakistani ones. Our country staunch liberal approach is degrading. Those who fled to the streets were hailing constitutions article 14 without knowing what it is cause of ignorance during their civics class. They talk of rights while forgetting about fundamental duties such as not mobilizing riots. The whole CAA drama was whatsapp fake news drama.
If you know nothing about CAA, please read it. Don’t mislead people.
Non-Muslims in Pakistan face huge discrimination due to their Religion. CAA aims to give these religiously-oppressed people Citizenship in a fast pace, i.e., in 5 years (the regular is 11 years). What is the logic behind asking the same fast-paced approach for Muslims too, who are the Oppressors?
For everyone else, including Muslims, the regular Citizenship Rule is 11 years of uneventful stay in India. Remember, Adnan Sami was a Pakistani Muslim, who got an Indian Citizenship after the prescribed period of stay without any wrongdoing.
If you have the time, or care, write about the atrocities that non-Muslims face in Pakistan.
When was “the West an eager partner” of India for itow become less eager? For heaven’s sake the “liberal West(?)”should stop this hypocricy and get its own houses in USA and Uk in order before pontificating about India!
Well this article is case of bringing up everything except the kitchen sink. Not sure where to start to rebutt this rambling. Let’s start in 1999 or so. Despite NAFTA and EU western world under not sure influence of which weed smoked by Bill Clinton decided to promote China and Petro states under illusion that they will change a la Europe after WW2. Illusion broke after Bejing Olympics and then great recession. Obama could see it but closed his eyes in return of no active cyber attacks by China lol. In India liberal Congress government made mess of CWG and then cringed and reneging on soft promises on Indo nuclear deal. This was end of honeymoon period for India and West but Obama never told his best friend MMS. Nor did west had courage to make known annoyance via newspapers or articles. In fact Obama sold India to China , Paki and Turkey combine and it has not hit papers yet. Western world populace had enough of love of China and Obamaism this resulted in Trump and Brexit. In India liberal West was not supporting dear friend MMS due to obvious misgovernance …Modi came to power. After investing 20 years or a generation in China and petro states and almost nothing to show for except now green shoots of UAE Israel agreement…there is no appetite in West to see or support anyone’s rise including India. Hence this everything except the kitchen sink. This works well for China ….. example India lost 20 soldiers in Galwan and Chinese none ..not even injured..lol..do not believe me just check BBC, Reuters, AFP.
I want to ask then how come west maintains close relations with deeply illiberal middle eastern regimes. Compare to them, we are amateurs. So stop pushing this bullshit.
The Western powers have never had any moral compunction when it came to worst forms of dictatorships and authoritarianism. For example, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan. Even China till a few years back.
The Western “powers” never ever put any conditions on these nations while collaborating with them. In fact, they quite shamelessly aided these nations in many of their nefarious activities. Eg. The US/UK stoutly aided and defended Pakistan when it carried out the genocide in East Pakistan.
So this talk of Western powers putting pre-conditions for collaborating with India or any other nation is utter gibberish.
The author rather comes across as a member of the liberal/secular fraternity bent on preaching and pontificating.
West has lost its clout over whole world.It can threaten a largest democracy but it is afraid of largest dictatorship.It could not post the cost on the China of economic loss due to corona virus all over the world.It could not stop spreading narcoterrossim in many countries by a small country Pakistan.But it has capacity to threaten India of dire consequences for stopping those people who threaten to break it.It is India who has stood like a wall against China.Has all the west got that courage.Big No.
West never really helped India to the extent it did for China rise without liberal expectations.
India is not obligated for any notions of democracy west wishes to impose while constant blame game when it comes to significantly helping India on economic front. Look at EU FTA, US actions on trade, poor interest of Japanese investors to help India on supply chain issues. EU has been a bully. They engage in capturing Indian generic drug exports.
West should get its act on economy then talk democracy.
It’s unfortunate when Tata chair person talk this.
A lot of BS in this article. The West has begun to grudgingly acknowledge India. It has never been welcome, the WEST has been an ANTI India-Pro Paksitan crusaders for most of India’s post Independence era. This Anti-India tirade still continues. Why is India not part of UNSC? Why is India having such a hard time with the NSG? All this despite WEST jumping with Joy at India’s emergence? Who is the Author Kidding? This is again the typical Western Euro Centric Perspective. We will do without you Thank You Very Much!!!
Ashley J.Tellis, you are spot on as far as Economic Liberalisation is concerned. Whatever you had mentioned is either sanctioned by the judiciary or is considered important for Indian security.
As far as Indian liberalism is concerned, I guess you getting old and forgetting the facts of 80’s and 90’s. China, unleashing repression against it’s own populace did not stop you and your countrymen + west profiting from them.
Mr.Tellis, would you stop visiting China since we know that there are concentration camps in Sinkiang??
West included Turkey in NATO even after Armenian genocide and threw it away from EU saying it is too islamic. Your president us the foremost Islamophobic.
We can go on and on and on. Now I know why S.Jaishankar shies away from an alliance with the west and proposes a multipolar world.
A world with west as it’s only anchor stinks too much.
Utter nonsense! Was Pakistan liberal when the west became its allies? Provided them huge arms & ammunition, state of the art jets. The US was ready to bomb us when we were supposedly “liberal” in 1972.? West is also a partner with very liberal Saudis and UAE. Fresh out of fucks what the West thinks of India!
HaHa. Nice one. When has the West, as in the US and UK ever supported liberal democracies. The support was always for those who fell in line with their policies be it Pakistan or China. Make no mistake both countries have been propped up by the West as bulwarks against the Soviet Union. The truth is that the ‘liberal’ West finds it far more convenient to deal with dictatorships and autocracies even if they kill their own citizens as China did in Tianamen square. Apartheid state South Africa had the UK as it’s biggest benefactor despite discriminating against a large section of it’s own population. So much for the author’s arguments.
Yes, the west went and me friends with China and created this monster. That time India was a liberal democracy, right? How come no one cared? How come west were buddies with Pakistani army dictators? Or African ones? Lets be fair ,if you are not white or rich,the west does not care about anything but their interests. But frankly lets not make a big deal of it
It is ironical that this article was published on a day when India reformed it’s labor laws and 2 days after India reformed the farm laws. Reform on land and capital coming up in the next session of parliament.
Gone are the days when gori madams and sirs would tell Indians what is good for India and Indian politicians with zero self esteem will oblige.
And as regards West, they will partner with anyone for their self interest. No need to mention that west already has cordial and strategic relationships with some of the most oppressive regimes on Earth.
What illiberal policies are you talking about? Don’t take Hindus for granted. Hindus have seen most liberalisation in the last 100 years. Turn your attention to non-Hindus. Give benefits of secularism to Hindus too, and prevent undue attacks on Hindus in the name of liberalism. Check Islamist ideology. See what’s happening in Sweden. That’s not liberalism.
Some of the Hindus here write that the CAA-NRC was a humanitarian gesture on behalf of suffering minorities in Pakistan. It was not. The CAA was brought in after the first attempt at NRC in Assam ended up with the embarrassing result of more Hindus than Muslims declared as non-citizens. If the excercise was repeated elsewhere, the outcome would be the same. Then Shah hatched up the CAA, which excluded Muslims. When the CAA is combined with NRC, the Hindus who did not have papers could claim entrance through the CAA – but Muslims would not be able to do so. Then the concentration camps being built would be for Muslims, and Hindus will feel alright with that.
Of course, most Hindus will go along with CAA-NRC and believe it is a humanitarian gesture. However, in the west, they see the parallel with the Nuremberg race laws of Hitler which was the prelude to the concentration camps. That horrifies people in the west. There is a video by comedian John Oliver explaining the CAA-NRC very clearly, and my advice to Hindus is to watch it. Then you will realise you can fool yourself, but not the west. Several US city councils have passed resolutions condemning CAA-NRC.
Watch this year’s BBC interview of Ram Madhav and questions put on Golwalkar’s admiration of Nazis. There was the earlier interview where Mehdi Hassan of Jazeera bamboooed Ram Madhav over the RSS.
Take the recent attempt to give an alternative news on the Delhi pogrom organised in Feb 2020 by the RSS-BJP. Bloomsbury India’s Hindu editors passed the story for clearance. There were protests at the attempt to whitewash genocide. It came to the attention of Bloomsbury UK, the parent company. They immediately realised it would be damaging to them, and they squashed the publication. The westerners are becoming aware what is Hindutva, and its Hitlerian connections, so my advice to Hindus is not to fool yourselves.
Hence, what the author has written is correct : if India continues with aggressive Hindu fascism, then the west will be a less eager partner. People realise Hindutva is Nazism, Hindu style, and that is a big ‘no no’. The author realises that.
My advice to militant Hindus is you cannot have your cake and eat it : that is, beat up minorities in the Hitlerian style and expect the world to agree you are the victims.
The author has given gentle advice to Hindus, in a very polite and politically correct manner. As can be seen here, most Hindus do not receive the criticism of their fascism kindly. They feel they are the accused whereas they think Muslims should be the ones the west should be accusing !
My advice to Hindus will be as usual, not soft or politically correct !
Yes, you can say west has no business to advise on liberalism and they have always had business deals with non-liberal regimes. So India can tell them to go to hell with no consequence.
However, that works if you have a strong manufacturing economy like China’s or you have some essential raw material like oil or energy source. Even then, it is a temporary arrangement. In a BBC discussion, when the relationship between west and Saudi Arabia was discussed, a Dutch panelist said ‘they are our friends, though they are not the friends we would want’.
Now India does not have a strong manufacturing economy, nor is it a supplier of oil. What does it have ? It is a largely agricultural country, which transitioned partly to a service economy, with little manufacturing, It is a large market for the west – which is an opportunity to sell goods. But it depends on the locals having jobs and purchasing power to buy foreign goods. That is not the case after 2014. The economy shrank progressively after 2014, especially after demonetisation. Covid has taken it to -25% growth. India is also among the top shoppers for arms – but that impoverishes, as it is money going out.
With the above negative combination, you add lynchings, mob rule, pogroms, laws that discriminate (reminding westerners of the Nuremberg race laws), beat up students, infiltrate universities….. then people will shy away.
From about 1995 to 2014, the west started changing its image of India in the positive direction. There were articles in The Economist, Time etc. speaking of India in glowing terms as the next Asian Tiger. Unlike China, for the west there was the possibility of a country with a large market where they could combine trade and liberal values.
But due to the Hindu ultra nationalism, the author is right : India appears like an elected autocracy (Mahua Moitra), not a liberal democracy. Hindus also need to realise that the outside world is slowly getting to know Hindutva is fascism, and some of them know what is RSS. I scour the western papers : The Guardian, Independent, WP, NYT, The Economist, Time, WSJ, BBC etc. and now I see only articles that describe India as a failing state. The same people 10 years ago had written with admiring hope about India. Gone are the days when Thomas Friedmann and Fareed Zakaria wrote eulogies about India. There is a BBC interview from this year where Ram Madhav was asked about the RSS’s ideology and statements supporting Hitler and Nazi style policies for India.
So, Hindus you have messed it up for India with Modi ! It was foolish to think a chai wallah and genocidist with a forged degree would take India up. ,No point raging, get real with reality. There is karmic payback for wickedness. Of course, we are stuck with Modi for years to come, but prepare yourself for India’s decline and do some soul searching.
So if we go by Ashley J Tellis’ reasoning, India was extremely liberal four-five decades ago and has lost its liberal characeter recently- then pray tell us why did the West and the US opppsed India in the sixties, seventies, during the Indo-Pak wars?
This article is, plainly speaking, an attempt to use some biased narrative to further the West and US’ agenda- Indians are only asserting themselves under this government, because they have been pushed around too long both internally and externally. All countries are trying to maiximise their gains- the West particularly has been oppressive at this as the world’s experience in these past decades and centuries show. So, let us not try and get some brownies from them and learn to stand on our feet.
Ashley Tellis has informed India and indeed much of the world that according to him – the West is merely a liberal orthodoxy cloaked in a democratic facade. Apparently idealogical dogmatism to leftist liberal crusades is the only criteria for Western favor – not the actual idea of self actualization and political sovereignty that true democracy affords.
It is curious to note that while Ashley edifies us about our deviation from the global liberal project, he makes no mention of the political expression in the US of A that has chosen a decidedly illiberal President backed up by ostensibly illiberal policies. Is America now also “excommunicated” from the Western Church of Liberal Utopias?? Tellis should let us know…
Strange that India is Anti Minority Country? Muslims from Myanmar, Bangladesh and even Pak ‘rushing’ to India? Entire Muslim anti CAA movement was on this demand that Muslims from everywhere must be freely allowed in India. Again Strange that No Indian Muslim wants to go to Pak though this South Asian ‘landmass’ was divided into 3 parts two for Muslims and 1 for rest. Not only this they (genuinely) get angry if they are asked to go to Pak. Strange again that this persecuted minority increases from mere 9 % to 17 % population of that “persecuting” country? There is subtle demand again for a Muslim landmass called “Urdustan”? Strange again that they say persecuted minorities from religious republics must not be allowed here. What do you call this “PROJECT”? West is forcing India to become like CHINA?
if indeed , what the writer says is true, then China would not have become the economic superpower that it is now, inspite it being an authoritarion country……it would have become a pauper… Its a question of MONEY… HONEY……. most important India does not need any certification from any country about it being LIBERAL or otherwise….. We are what we are… Warts and all…..
If India keeps diluting its liberal character, the West will be a less eager partner.
A classic case of irrelevant write up for a predetermined narrative.
Other than the mention of 370-35A and CAA which has nothing to do with external partners the article under the ” diluting its liberal character” writes about everything which has nothing to do with headline.
Ashley J Tellis is ‘Aunty’ National. I am a 60 year old uncle who has completely rigid and stubborn views and will never allow anything to even remotely question my beliefs because then that’ll show how insecure and hollow I am. (even though admitting that issues exist will make everyone’s life a lot better and would also mean that I am open minded enough to incorporate facts as they change in time)
leftists and communists from all over the world to change India into a communist state under Muslim rule, silly communists forgot one thing, even though Christians, Ahamadiyas, Shias and communists supported for creation of Pakistan, they are the people first wiped out from Pakistan.
I so agree with the views of the author! We should be progressing with time, not regressing into illiberal, undemocratic thinking and behaving. It is imperative to keep the democratic spirit of our constitution alive! Let’s all work for that! Rise above narrow communalism, patriarchy, casteism and think and behave like citizens of a democratic country! ALL of us!
and we are. the political landscape has now changed from muslim hindu to development. Its just a matter of toys being taken away from children. Also CAA was aimed at minorities in the first place. Not Indian but Pakistani ones. Our country staunch liberal approach is degrading. Those who fled to the streets were hailing constitutions article 14 without knowing what it is cause of ignorance during their civics class. They talk of rights while forgetting about fundamental duties such as not mobilizing riots. The whole CAA drama was whatsapp fake news drama.
If you know nothing about CAA, please read it. Don’t mislead people.
Non-Muslims in Pakistan face huge discrimination due to their Religion. CAA aims to give these religiously-oppressed people Citizenship in a fast pace, i.e., in 5 years (the regular is 11 years). What is the logic behind asking the same fast-paced approach for Muslims too, who are the Oppressors?
For everyone else, including Muslims, the regular Citizenship Rule is 11 years of uneventful stay in India. Remember, Adnan Sami was a Pakistani Muslim, who got an Indian Citizenship after the prescribed period of stay without any wrongdoing.
If you have the time, or care, write about the atrocities that non-Muslims face in Pakistan.
When was “the West an eager partner” of India for itow become less eager? For heaven’s sake the “liberal West(?)”should stop this hypocricy and get its own houses in USA and Uk in order before pontificating about India!
Well this article is case of bringing up everything except the kitchen sink. Not sure where to start to rebutt this rambling. Let’s start in 1999 or so. Despite NAFTA and EU western world under not sure influence of which weed smoked by Bill Clinton decided to promote China and Petro states under illusion that they will change a la Europe after WW2. Illusion broke after Bejing Olympics and then great recession. Obama could see it but closed his eyes in return of no active cyber attacks by China lol. In India liberal Congress government made mess of CWG and then cringed and reneging on soft promises on Indo nuclear deal. This was end of honeymoon period for India and West but Obama never told his best friend MMS. Nor did west had courage to make known annoyance via newspapers or articles. In fact Obama sold India to China , Paki and Turkey combine and it has not hit papers yet. Western world populace had enough of love of China and Obamaism this resulted in Trump and Brexit. In India liberal West was not supporting dear friend MMS due to obvious misgovernance …Modi came to power. After investing 20 years or a generation in China and petro states and almost nothing to show for except now green shoots of UAE Israel agreement…there is no appetite in West to see or support anyone’s rise including India. Hence this everything except the kitchen sink. This works well for China ….. example India lost 20 soldiers in Galwan and Chinese none ..not even injured..lol..do not believe me just check BBC, Reuters, AFP.
I want to ask then how come west maintains close relations with deeply illiberal middle eastern regimes. Compare to them, we are amateurs. So stop pushing this bullshit.
The Western powers have never had any moral compunction when it came to worst forms of dictatorships and authoritarianism. For example, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan. Even China till a few years back.
The Western “powers” never ever put any conditions on these nations while collaborating with them. In fact, they quite shamelessly aided these nations in many of their nefarious activities. Eg. The US/UK stoutly aided and defended Pakistan when it carried out the genocide in East Pakistan.
So this talk of Western powers putting pre-conditions for collaborating with India or any other nation is utter gibberish.
The author rather comes across as a member of the liberal/secular fraternity bent on preaching and pontificating.
West has lost its clout over whole world.It can threaten a largest democracy but it is afraid of largest dictatorship.It could not post the cost on the China of economic loss due to corona virus all over the world.It could not stop spreading narcoterrossim in many countries by a small country Pakistan.But it has capacity to threaten India of dire consequences for stopping those people who threaten to break it.It is India who has stood like a wall against China.Has all the west got that courage.Big No.
West never really helped India to the extent it did for China rise without liberal expectations.
India is not obligated for any notions of democracy west wishes to impose while constant blame game when it comes to significantly helping India on economic front. Look at EU FTA, US actions on trade, poor interest of Japanese investors to help India on supply chain issues. EU has been a bully. They engage in capturing Indian generic drug exports.
West should get its act on economy then talk democracy.
It’s unfortunate when Tata chair person talk this.
A lot of BS in this article. The West has begun to grudgingly acknowledge India. It has never been welcome, the WEST has been an ANTI India-Pro Paksitan crusaders for most of India’s post Independence era. This Anti-India tirade still continues. Why is India not part of UNSC? Why is India having such a hard time with the NSG? All this despite WEST jumping with Joy at India’s emergence? Who is the Author Kidding? This is again the typical Western Euro Centric Perspective. We will do without you Thank You Very Much!!!
Ashley J.Tellis, you are spot on as far as Economic Liberalisation is concerned. Whatever you had mentioned is either sanctioned by the judiciary or is considered important for Indian security.
As far as Indian liberalism is concerned, I guess you getting old and forgetting the facts of 80’s and 90’s. China, unleashing repression against it’s own populace did not stop you and your countrymen + west profiting from them.
Mr.Tellis, would you stop visiting China since we know that there are concentration camps in Sinkiang??
West included Turkey in NATO even after Armenian genocide and threw it away from EU saying it is too islamic. Your president us the foremost Islamophobic.
We can go on and on and on. Now I know why S.Jaishankar shies away from an alliance with the west and proposes a multipolar world.
A world with west as it’s only anchor stinks too much.
Utter nonsense! Was Pakistan liberal when the west became its allies? Provided them huge arms & ammunition, state of the art jets. The US was ready to bomb us when we were supposedly “liberal” in 1972.? West is also a partner with very liberal Saudis and UAE. Fresh out of fucks what the West thinks of India!
HaHa. Nice one. When has the West, as in the US and UK ever supported liberal democracies. The support was always for those who fell in line with their policies be it Pakistan or China. Make no mistake both countries have been propped up by the West as bulwarks against the Soviet Union. The truth is that the ‘liberal’ West finds it far more convenient to deal with dictatorships and autocracies even if they kill their own citizens as China did in Tianamen square. Apartheid state South Africa had the UK as it’s biggest benefactor despite discriminating against a large section of it’s own population. So much for the author’s arguments.
Yes, the west went and me friends with China and created this monster. That time India was a liberal democracy, right? How come no one cared? How come west were buddies with Pakistani army dictators? Or African ones? Lets be fair ,if you are not white or rich,the west does not care about anything but their interests. But frankly lets not make a big deal of it
It is ironical that this article was published on a day when India reformed it’s labor laws and 2 days after India reformed the farm laws. Reform on land and capital coming up in the next session of parliament.
Gone are the days when gori madams and sirs would tell Indians what is good for India and Indian politicians with zero self esteem will oblige.
And as regards West, they will partner with anyone for their self interest. No need to mention that west already has cordial and strategic relationships with some of the most oppressive regimes on Earth.
What illiberal policies are you talking about? Don’t take Hindus for granted. Hindus have seen most liberalisation in the last 100 years. Turn your attention to non-Hindus. Give benefits of secularism to Hindus too, and prevent undue attacks on Hindus in the name of liberalism. Check Islamist ideology. See what’s happening in Sweden. That’s not liberalism.
The author needs to read more and stop parroting the same lines over and over
So west is bothered of liberalism only in India as per your empty intellectual brains