India's Project Mausam not intended to counter China

[CONNAN]

Narendra Modi meets his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, Nov. 13, 2014. (File photo/Xinhua)

In the security strategy field, several experts have recently stated that the "Project Mausam" initiative proposed by the government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is intended to counter China's "One Belt, One Road" plan, and media outlets have talked in cliched terms about the struggle between the Dragon and the Elephant in the Indian Ocean. But is it true?

To judge whether the two strategies conflict with each other or not, we must look deeper into their respective management levels and nature. First, China's "One Belt, One Road" is a major policy set by the State Council. The "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" therefore possesses significant importance in Beijing's strategic thinking.

By contrast, Project Mausam is just one project under India's Ministry of Culture, so the idea that it is a top-level national strategy to counter Chnia's proposed trade route is far of the mark.

Second, judging from their respective stated missions and goals, the Maritime Silk Road aims to pursue economic and trade cooperation, mutual political trust and cultural exchanges. Although observers have linked it with regional security, Beijing has sought not to focus on this aspect.

Project Mausam on the other hand appears to focus on cultural affairs centered on India's culture more than economic and trade activities.

Next, we should look at the funds involved in the two projects. The Maritime Silk Road apparently has a much bigger budget. The Chinese project, in addition to the investments from governments at central and local level, will include related funds raised by the nation's financial industry and listed enterprises.

The Indian project meanwhile is restricted to activities related to culture, with the concrete benefits difficult to gauge compared with the Chinese project.

Finally, the responses from other countries to the two projects have shown big differences. Whichever initiative can help a nation obtain greater economic benefits will surely obtain the better response.

New Delhi and Beijing indeed have areas of conflict but they also have room for cooperation. India will no doubt have some concerns over China's "Belt and Road" strategy but it is unlikely to deliberately oppose and undermine it. The media speculation that the two plans are intended to counter each other is at best overstated.

India's Project Mausam not intended to counter China｜Op-Ed Contributors｜Opinion｜WantChinaTimes.com

 

[Ind4Ever]

Narendra Modi meets his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, Nov. 13, 2014. (File photo/Xinhua)

In the security strategy field, several experts have recently stated that the "Project Mausam" initiative proposed by the government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is intended to counter China's "One Belt, One Road" plan, and media outlets have talked in cliched terms about the struggle between the Dragon and the Elephant in the Indian Ocean. But is it true?

To judge whether the two strategies conflict with each other or not, we must look deeper into their respective management levels and nature. First, China's "One Belt, One Road" is a major policy set by the State Council. The "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" therefore possesses significant importance in Beijing's strategic thinking.

By contrast, Project Mausam is just one project under India's Ministry of Culture, so the idea that it is a top-level national strategy to counter Chnia's proposed trade route is far of the mark.

Second, judging from their respective stated missions and goals, the Maritime Silk Road aims to pursue economic and trade cooperation, mutual political trust and cultural exchanges. Although observers have linked it with regional security, Beijing has sought not to focus on this aspect.

Project Mausam on the other hand appears to focus on cultural affairs centered on India's culture more than economic and trade activities.

Next, we should look at the funds involved in the two projects. The Maritime Silk Road apparently has a much bigger budget. The Chinese project, in addition to the investments from governments at central and local level, will include related funds raised by the nation's financial industry and listed enterprises.

The Indian project meanwhile is restricted to activities related to culture, with the concrete benefits difficult to gauge compared with the Chinese project.

Finally, the responses from other countries to the two projects have shown big differences. Whichever initiative can help a nation obtain greater economic benefits will surely obtain the better response.

New Delhi and Beijing indeed have areas of conflict but they also have room for cooperation. India will no doubt have some concerns over China's "Belt and Road" strategy but it is unlikely to deliberately oppose and undermine it. The media speculation that the two plans are intended to counter each other is at best overstated.

India's Project Mausam not intended to counter China｜Op-Ed Contributors｜Opinion｜WantChinaTimes.com

Once Want China times understood that nothing can be done to counter New Aggressive Indian policy they started to brainwash their people in a new angle. Like saying it's all about cultural links not economic ties .... WHAT AN absurd conclusion.

Do they think India doing this project just to do pooja and sing devotional songs in these countries ? The point is this is something ll bulldoz Chinese ties with IOR countries and others in big way . India already expanding its ties , renewed visa norms , new aid packages , new strategic partnership , tax exemptions etc to reiterate itself as a Powerful Country in the region. We already isolated Pakistan in big way from others . Chinese plan for IOR domination is based on moves and checks started with Pakistan centric . So now without any regional support String of pearls are been bombarded into buts and pieces .

 

[Srinivas]

Mausam and Spice routes has more to do with the "Make in India" initiative.

 

[Astra-2013]

i thought this project was for developing weather(mausam) warfare weapons