Is Modi affecting Foreign policy of India ?

[nair]

it is not about buying weapons...... Which you are right..... Probably it started with Bush and MMS and continued in UPA2,,,,,, I am talking about Lemoa.....

What makes you say that? Most of the major deals with US were signed in UPA's time. Chinook, Apache, M777, INS Jalshwa, P8I, C130.
If anything the biggest ticket items as of now are the 3 billion dollar- Frigates going to Russia?

 

[MilSpec]

it is not about buying weapons...... Which you are right..... Probably it started with Bush and MMS and continued in UPA2,,,,,, I am talking about Lemoa.....

I think the policy is steadfast, LSA/ CISMOA was rejected in UPA's time, US addressed those concerns and revised the LSA to India specific LEMOA which would have been signed even by UPA, as it specifically addresses the concerns that India had. I really don't see any shift, but a more pronounced and defined engagement.

 

[randomradio]

Government should never make Foreign policy of the country, there will be question mark on the consistency.

The govt makes foreign policy, but reaching a decision is done through advisors and committees. In fact there isn't a single locus point for making the decisions.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Modi is clear about few things. One of them is courting USA into granting us favourable access to funds directly and indirectly. By being projected as an ally and in good books of USA and using that relation as leverage to move forward the relations with other nations is his chief gameplan.

Modi knows surely that for India to expand its economic growth and make him an immortal part of the so called history books, it's eseential to leave behind a legacy which cannot be ommitted and he chose to do that by shaping up the nation on the economic base. Of course much more needs to be done.

But if you see his moves, counter moves, impulsive decisions as well he is trying continuously to create inroads to fast forward his agenda and vision into actions.

Modi might have signed LEMOA but come November Russia will go from India with some 12Bn$ new defence sales agreements and many more possibilities. His balancing act has been descent overtly and covertly.

What only Modi is missing out is the fact that such profound and deep personal engagement are not showing outright results as foreign policies take time to show concrete results.

In last 2decades I doubt we have seen such proactive approach.. don't go by what you see as too close to USA or read too much into it.. any street smart man will tell you that Modi is just "using" them for this greater goals..

 

[Abba_Dabba_Jabba]

The govt makes foreign policy, but reaching a decision is done through advisors and committees. In fact there isn't a single locus point for making the decisions.

It's always the government which makes the foreign policy, as bureaucrats are also selected by the elected government, this leaves the foreign policy at risk. I think the government should work on a system like RBI or SEBI, form an autonomous body and leave the task of foreign policy to them. Such bodies should have members from all the major departments of the government. The decision making of such body will be independent from politics, as there are political parties & leaders in India whose decision are always affected by foreign forces.

Modi is clear about few things. One of them is courting USA into granting us favourable access to funds directly and indirectly. By being projected as an ally and in good books of USA and using that relation as leverage to move forward the relations with other nations is his chief gameplan.

Modi knows surely that for India to expand its economic growth and make him an immortal part of the so called history books, it's eseential to leave behind a legacy which cannot be ommitted and he chose to do that by shaping up the nation on the economic base. Of course much more needs to be done.

But if you see his moves, counter moves, impulsive decisions as well he is trying continuously to create inroads to fast forward his agenda and vision into actions.

Modi might have signed LEMOA but come November Russia will go from India with some 12Bn$ new defence sales agreements and many more possibilities. His balancing act has been descent overtly and covertly.

What only Modi is missing out is the fact that such profound and deep personal engagement are not showing outright results as foreign policies take time to show concrete results.

In last 2decades I doubt we have seen such proactive approach.. don't go by what you see as too close to USA or read too much into it.. any street smart man will tell you that Modi is just "using" them for this greater goals..

I was more concerned with the visible part of his policy and his recent confusing behavior at G20 summit, where he was seen following Obama. Such images affects the citizens of India, and the way it is represented in media like a great Jay-Veeru kind of friendship, it actually changes the perception of the normal citizen about the way we are shifting towards pro-USA & pro-western foreign policy, and we have got crores of blind follower of Modi who thinks that whatever he does is right.

So the question is, can he balance his visible part of policy with the invisible part, which is about maintaining the balance between Russia, USA & Non-alignment Movement.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

was more concerned with the visible part of his policy and his recent confusing behavior at G20 summit, where he was seen following Obama. Such images affects the citizens of India, and the way it is represented in media like a great Jay-Veeru kind of friendship, it actually changes the perception of the normal citizen about the way we are shifting towards pro-USA & pro-western foreign policy, and we have got crores of blind follower of Modi who thinks that whatever he does is right.

So the question is, can he balance his visible part of policy with the invisible part, which is about maintaining the balance between Russia, USA & Non-alignment Movement.

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.

Russia will remain the most covert part of this relationship. The energy sector needs, defence cooperation andthe fact that adversaries don't get a hi tech weapon unless India also gets either the same ot access to a counter has been the pivotal game of this so called love affair.

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.

Thw normal Indian citizen is already in awe of USA and the gullible masses still swear by saying "it's US made" even if its made in China or say Bangladesh but company is USA. So all this Modi courting won't add more to this already blind population. Heck the F16 popularity among masses makes it more preferable and competent than even pseudo 5th gen or proper 5th gen jets.

About balancing again a good point will come when a lull before storm will be visible in US politics soon. Atm the Obama administration is on the last days and not much policy movement will occur other than photo sessions and talks which sounds very positive and on paper but nothing concrete in reality. So that's the time when Modi needs to look at other countries whom he knows are critical to his vision and court them in a manner to get what he wants.

It would be interesting what track 2and track3 foreign policy channels modi uses to strengthen relations with many countries. An example is DM MP relation with Ash Carter. Like Prez Hollande with PM Modi and Ambassador Ziegler with DM MP (covertly). Or using MJ Akbar for all middle East countries and dispatching Gen VK Singh in HADR missions and still build relations via that angle..

All such actions will bear results, overt and covert both.. just give some more time.. all the game moves are not what it seems.. and what is in hands and what's in deck is still to be revealed..

 

[BlackOpsIndia]

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.

 

[Abba_Dabba_Jabba]

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 literally own it completely.

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 go 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 you 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.

Just my 2 cents.

Welcome, Kindly introduce yourself in members club..

And your 2cents turns out to be more than a dollar.

 

[BlackOpsIndia]

Welcome, Kindly introduce yourself in members club..

Dont want to waste my time on trolls who post a bicycle theft story on a defence forum and another troll makes it out a crime against a particular religion! Really dont have any time to argue with dumbos and its spread all across the world be it trump supporters or Jamat e Islami or hardcore RSS or retard lefties, congis etc.

If they say its day, just say its day and move on, dont argue that its night.

 

[Abba_Dabba_Jabba]

Not a kiddy but dont want to waste my time on trolls who post a bicycle theft story on a defence forum and another troll makes it out a crime against a particular religion! Really dont have any time to argue with dumbos and its spread all across the world be it trump supporters or Jamat e Islami or hardcore RSS or retard lefties, congis etc.

If they say its day, just say its day and move on, dont argue that its night.

You can ignore them, we need good Indian guys here.

Plus I was impressed with "Bali" package you brought here, but I think India did betray the other smaller countries while signing the TRIPS.

 

[BlackOpsIndia]

You can ignore them, we need good Indian guys here.

Plus I was impressed with "Bali" package you brought here, but I think India did betray the other smaller countries while signing the TRIPS.

I dont think I will stay here, most probably will logout and will never login again, its sheer stupidity to waste time in piss match with fools, you too get dirty when you fight with pig.

India needs to stand for herself, own interests, moral obligations comes afterwards. If India is strong they can help other countries directly like they are doing with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal almost every other neighbour.

There is no morality in world, US and Russia both are killing millions in Syria and yet US is evil and Russia is saint!!!!! This hypocrisy baffles me. Whoever say India was non-aligned is lying straight to your face.

India was in Soviet Camp very strongly, just because you open a secretariat of NAM in Kathmandu and name it non-aligned doesn't really mean you are non-aligned. Its not just Bali package but numerous other places India is getting benefits from US help and also hurting our enemies interest very very strongly, be it USAID or freezing property of Dawood and other groups, the list is very long and none of it we could have ever got with Russias help.

I love Russia but that does not mean we should limit ourselves to a single country when we aspire to be among top 3 in world by 2030.

 

[jha]

We have hardly seen such shift in foreign policy in India, in the recently held G20 summit, many observed the way Modiji was running after Obama. All the state sponsored & pro-BJP/NDA media called it Modi-Obama friendship, but some unbiased media are very skeptical about the way NDA led by Modi is forming this new foreign policy.

I wanted to open this discussion in "seniors cafe", but I m still young here . Lets make it healthy thread, and no blind bhakt or lefty dude required here.

Thanks for tagging.

Visuals of Modi following Obama may look odd, but this is the reality now. India is no longer aligned to Soviet/Russian Camp. We just can not afford to do that, if target is to hit 9% in GDP growth. Growth will come from West and we have to pursue US.

Modi is doing exactly what needs to be done. Obama's last months are left. We dont know the kind of relationship next government will like to have with us. Its better to institutionalize relationship before uncertainty sets in.

Russia is our biggest Defence partner and will remain so for near future. Putin will get big defence deals and nuke plants. But thats all. For everything else, we need access to US's money and market.

 

[BlackOpsIndia]

Thanks for tagging.

Visuals of Modi following Obama may look odd, but this is the reality now.

When heads of nation meets its always a tricky situation, there are thousands of situation when they get embarrassed. Just a single error in step and you look following someone, one step faster and you look running away from someone, you miss a handshake with someone its insult of others bla bla bla. Youtube is full of such videos.

Visuals dont mean a $hit, hundreds of Modi will come and go but what should remain is India on right track, its substance that matters. I had seen Pak media made a hue and cry when Modi took just 3 steps to greet Nawaz Sharief and the same media dont utter a single word when Xi didnt even took a single step and Nawaz went all the way alone.

Talk about substance not visuals, visuals may be/may not be what you think it is.

 

[jha]

When heads of nation meets its always a tricky situation, there are thousands of situation when they get embarrassed. Just a single error in step and you look following someone, one step faster and you look running away from someone, you miss a handshake with someone its insult of others bla bla bla. Youtube is full of such videos.

Visuals dont mean a $hit, hundreds of Modi will come and go but what should remain is India on right track, its substance that matters. I had seen Pak media made a hue and cry when Modi took just 3 steps to greet Nawaz Sharief and the same media dont utter a single word when Xi didnt even took a single step and Nawaz went all the way alone.

Talk about substance not visuals, visuals may be/may not be what you think it is.

Exactly..

We have 12-15 years window at most. Visuals must not take precedence over substance.

 

[ito]

People accused Modi of full of hubris, now say he is full of servitude

For one, he is bringing US - India to center stage; although it is also true that he ignored Russia the most.

Only time will tell how right he is, but whatever he is doing he is putting countries's self interest first and wants to leave a mark as one of the best Prime Ministers India ever had.

You can argue whether his policies have been good or not, but you cannot argue that he wants India to be great again.