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Outgoing presidents often take surprisingly critical FP decisions without having to worry about electoral pressures.
First India is no more non aligned at least as compared to before.. today India is a greedy country running after the so called interests as first priority. So many old relations may be given a quiet burial, quick new courting will be done and some will be given extra attention.
No modi is not always right and his overt attempt to court USA will backfire at some point when India and US interests hits a diverging point.
..
Which are just as often not respected by the new Prez ...
Do remember that we have a Congress unified under one party's control and
nothing is happening because of internal dissent on striking down Obamacare.
It's not what you say or even signed at this point but rather, just as in war
_what you can enforce_.
Tay.
Agree.1. Make the neighborhood impenetrable to China
Instead of squandering resources in countries like Vietnam, first build a firewall covering Srilanka, BD, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives so that these countries are closed to Chinese Military and security agencies. There should be no more submarine visits to SL, imagine Russian Sub docking up in Canada! US almost started WW3 and Armageddon when Russia tied to position it's military installations in Cuba - our response should be on a similar level.
Some how Modi has managed middle east better than i expected.2. Safeguard energy ties with Saudi and Iran.
This is not that big of a problem as these countries themselves dont want to be dependent on one customer. They would welcome improved ties with India as long as there are no miss-steps like India involving themselves in their affairs
Our relations with Russia has never been so interesting as it is now. Like 2 adventurous partners, both India and Russia have been thawing their relations with the enemy of one another. India should not be squarely blamed for any change in equation between the two. I'm not saying our relations have hit rock bottom.3. Place Russia on equal priority to that of US
Russia is a critical hedge for India against US. Look at how smartly Erdogan used Russia to stump US. In addition they serve as an important check on China. Optics are important here - Russians are often more given to perceptions than US which is more focused on cold logical gains. I expect Modi to promote Russian ties more in international forums and visits. Russia is also naturally suspicious of China and while China has them at an disadvantage now due to low commodity prices that will not always be the case. In dire times we can count on Russia even more than US to step Chinese aggression either through back channel diplomacy or aggressive force projections on their borders
Did we not sign FTA with EU?4. Transactional ties with Europe
Europeans are best viewed as mercenaries, cash based transactional relationships will always be open. Giving so much space to Russia and US leaves very little strategic capital we can spend on Europe. France in particular showed us recently how quick they are ready to drop India as a hot potato when given a better deal by Australians. Despite India being the major victim of recent leaks, India was not informed and all efforts were made to damage control in Australia. Our poor DM came to know about it in the middle of night through ironically a traitor Ravi Shankaran. Then French put the blame on India for leaks and only when India protested and Australian newspaper themselves denied this later retracted. It leaves a clear indication that there is no strategic component to our ties with France or anyone else in Europe. @GURU DUTT @Levina
@nair @PARIKRAMA @hellfire
It would be wrong to assume our relationship with Russia will be progressively declining, instead i would say its "evolving"
Did we not sign FTA with EU?
Always a pleasure mam..
Middle East policy was definitely a surprise and well received in India, signing security agreement with Oman, Quatar & UAE, then arranging a military exercise with UAE and direct pipeline arrangement with Oman are some of the feathers in NDA govt's hat.Some how Modi has managed middle east better than i expected.
Way back in 2013, I used to read a lot of anti-India stuff in the local newspaper,but not so now.
Isnt it surprising that KSA conferred on Modi the highest civilian award of their country? (that was shocking to me since Modi was seen as a hindu crusader till not so long ago).
To let Iran know that it was not being snubbed Modi simultaneously sent Petroleum Minister to Iran. I thought that was a brilliant balancing act by India.
Domestically it's different but but externally US does not like to change the paradigm at the drop of hat. .
I use to read here as guest but this question compelled me to create an account on defence pk, I dont think there is much change in Foreign Policy.
The very basic principle of Foreign policy is to advance your own interests.
With Russia:
Apart from historic ties(past 70 year ties) if we see objectively without the cloud of perception, and away from trolls and pathetic Indian media you will see our relation is as strong as always. Our military equipment is around 70% of Russian origin and yet nobody ever called it wrong!
Now my question to you is how come aligning with Russia(almost depending completely on a single nation) was not bad and now balancing it is bad?
With USA:
We are being a bit more balanced now instead being only in Soviet camp. USA provide not just some military hardware but the real value is diplomatic and economic clout.
Let me explain it a bit:
1) Economic Benefits: With US-China relations at all time low if India misses the bus the industries will move to Vietnam, Taiwan, Mexico etc, its true Chinese are rich but USA is still the richest nation on the planet and got the largest group of investors which follow the govt. advice very closely.
2) Diplomatic Benefits: There is not a shred of doubt about US diplomatic power and its not just limited to getting some resolution approved into UN, we can do it even without US help but its everywhere. Every single institution in the World, be it World Bank or WTO, wherever you want you can use US help and its a deciding factor. I dont know if you have any idea of Bali Package but if you ever get time go read it. US gave India the only opposer of new farmer subsidy rules everything we want and single-handedly. You name a major institution not important for future Indian growth story and US does not own it completely, literally.
Beside that there are other benefits too which are discussed to death here so I am not repeating them.
One more reason we dont see much momentum in India-Russia ties is cuz we are already at the peak of it. There is very less room for improvement, we are much stronger economically than Russia, we are very good at space and got good options for almost every other thing. However in case of US we are just starting. Consider going to 100 from 90, you will look going slow, its Russia, now consider going to 90 from 10, you will automatically go fast and it will be more visible.
Also I dont think defence pk is very right place to objectively assess Modi, the amount of trolling done here is pathetic and its amazing no mods do anything.
It will be highly hypocritical if we want our PM to act like an arrogant PM of super power in behaviour and still want others help in reducing 33% of world's poor population that we hosts.
If you want see an epic example of arrogance see Erdogan, how arrogantly he stood against Russia and later apologised multiple times in letter and in person, if you saw his grandstanding in which he was pulling up Ambassador from Bangladesh to everywhere you will see him licking what he spit. We need sensible people who can help India to achieve something not some Buffon who destroy relations between two countries for petty things.
P.S. Relation with US is not as scary as many trolls here post, if US give you money to radicalize your own population, arm and train them and you accept whole heartedly, carry it even after US withdrawl and than blame US than you are definitely some ret@rd who probably have no idea of your own country. There is a difference between the relationship between Business partners and Master and slaves. Whatever you listen from slaves will be highly baised, they always abuse old master and praise the new master in fear of not getting another beating.
Every agreement be it LEOMA or FGFA or RAFALE will be done only when India's concerns are addressed so there is no absolutely no chance of someone using you. Remind you we are not kids that US can use us, neither were our neighbours but we always need someone to blame for own faults.
Just my 2 cents.
welcomeI use to read here as guest but this question compelled me to create an account on defence pk, I dont think there is much change in Foreign Policy.
The very basic principle of Foreign policy is to advance your own interests.
With Russia:
Apart from historic ties(past 70 year ties) if we see objectively without the cloud of perception, and away from trolls and pathetic Indian media you will see our relation is as strong as always. Our military equipment is around 70% of Russian origin and yet nobody ever called it wrong!
Now my question to you is how come aligning with Russia(almost depending completely on a single nation) was not bad and now balancing it is bad?
With USA:
We are being a bit more balanced now instead being only in Soviet camp. USA provide not just some military hardware but the real value is diplomatic and economic clout.
Let me explain it a bit:
1) Economic Benefits: With US-China relations at all time low if India misses the bus the industries will move to Vietnam, Taiwan, Mexico etc, its true Chinese are rich but USA is still the richest nation on the planet and got the largest group of investors which follow the govt. advice very closely.
2) Diplomatic Benefits: There is not a shred of doubt about US diplomatic power and its not just limited to getting some resolution approved into UN, we can do it even without US help but its everywhere. Every single institution in the World, be it World Bank or WTO, wherever you want you can use US help and its a deciding factor. I dont know if you have any idea of Bali Package but if you ever get time go read it. US gave India the only opposer of new farmer subsidy rules everything we want and single-handedly. You name a major institution not important for future Indian growth story and US does not own it completely, literally.
Beside that there are other benefits too which are discussed to death here so I am not repeating them.
One more reason we dont see much momentum in India-Russia ties is cuz we are already at the peak of it. There is very less room for improvement, we are much stronger economically than Russia, we are very good at space and got good options for almost every other thing. However in case of US we are just starting. Consider going to 100 from 90, you will look going slow, its Russia, now consider going to 90 from 10, you will automatically go fast and it will be more visible.
Also I dont think defence pk is very right place to objectively assess Modi, the amount of trolling done here is pathetic and its amazing no mods do anything.
It will be highly hypocritical if we want our PM to act like an arrogant PM of super power in behaviour and still want others help in reducing 33% of world's poor population that we hosts.
If you want see an epic example of arrogance see Erdogan, how arrogantly he stood against Russia and later apologised multiple times in letter and in person, if you saw his grandstanding in which he was pulling up Ambassador from Bangladesh to everywhere you will see him licking what he spit. We need sensible people who can help India to achieve something not some Buffon who destroy relations between two countries for petty things.
P.S. Relation with US is not as scary as many trolls here post, if US give you money to radicalize your own population, arm and train them and you accept whole heartedly, carry it even after US withdrawl and than blame US than you are definitely some ret@rd who probably have no idea of your own country. There is a difference between the relationship between Business partners and Master and slaves. Whatever you listen from slaves will be highly baised, they always abuse old master and praise the new master in fear of not getting another beating.
Every agreement be it LEOMA or FGFA or RAFALE will be done only when India's concerns are addressed so there is no absolutely no chance of someone using you. Remind you we are not kids that US can use us, neither were our neighbours but we always need someone to blame for own faults.
Just my 2 cents.
you will be surprised how abruptly it takes U turn even astonishing people who are doing its bidding.Generally continuity is maintained.. Election bluster dies down, promises are forgotten or procrastinated and the new president instead of rocking the boat gets on with the agenda. Domestically it's different but but externally US does not like to change the paradigm at the drop of hat. .
you will be surprised how abruptly it takes U turn even astonishing people who are doing its bidding.
e.g.? I wont be surprised if the easing of relations with Cuba and the deal with Iran wont take a turn to the south.
you are correct about Trump but he is attracting the protest vote (for wrong reasons)Well anything is possible but institutions like State Dept and CIA and establishments like Wall Street, Various interest groups like Israelis, Indians, Europeans, Weapon Manufacturers, Oil Companies etc would resist - strongly at that. It is these institutions and establishments which control the US policy more than any single twiddledee or twiddledum
That is why you see the overwhelming opposition against Trump. Everyone was Ok with Sanders winning in a fair fight against Hillary but not Trump. I have seldom seen everyone in US so united over any platform.
@BlackOpsIndiawelcome
thanks for your honest commentary on India. and thanks for your perspective on Pakistan too although too simplified and black and white (as the popular opinion goes) but still a good start for a discussion.
PS. dont be bothered about trolls. keep posting and staying honest there are great examples to follow @Joe Shearer is one of them and other is @MilSpec there are more too but I am too old and lazy to keep track of their prior and present avatars and usernames.
.
Thank you mate.Right use of words and welcome!
welcome to the forum and what an entry.!
@Irfan Baloch saab, can you move the post to Indian section. thanks
welcome
thanks for your honest commentary on India. and thanks for your perspective on Pakistan too although too simplified and black and white (as the popular opinion goes) but still a good start for a discussion.
@BlackOpsIndia
the difference only being that they looked (and look) pretty from distance whereas Pakistan was left to clean up the mess & did what was best in its interest at the time when it saw its "allies" abandoning it (stay with me).
It was intentional to keep away trolls, the shallow depth trolls often get nightmares when they face someone with facts and stay away automatically else they will get a good spanking. It was not for any sensible rational poster and not to hurt someone.@BlackOpsIndia
The slavish and beggar slang is misinformed to put it mildly (although we acknowledge the intended malice & gratification it offers).
@BlackOpsIndia
Despite all the hate & opposition, we kept advocating a dialogue between Afghan Taliban & Americans & kept warning them from the danger of falling in the trap of Northern Alliance.
@BlackOpsIndia
Erdogan, and your comment that he is licking his own spit (approaching Russia after downing its jet).