String of Pearl

Backdrop

In May 2014 when Sri Narendra Modi took charge, the strategic positioning of India was dangerously precarious – to say the least. Apart from the regional superpower – China, India was circled by a hostile (all weather foe) nuclear-armed Pakistan, an antagonised and sullen Nepal, bullied-frightened-flabbergasted Bhutan, inimical Myanmar and unfaithful (almost hostile) Bangladesh. Despite best efforts by previous Indian Government, Sri Lanka could not be turned that much a hostile neighbour as Maldives.

 

 

Encirclement is a military term to describe a situation when a target is isolated and surrounded by enemy forces. In peace when actually one prepares for a war (as the saying goes : Si vis pacem, para bellum -  Latin), stronger nations of the world today peruse this policy overtly and covertly. It would be naïve to assume that China is any exception. Even if we ignore ( or chose to forget- due to  selective dementia) Nehru’s Forward Policy, events such as Chinese assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear and missile program, its influence on Myanmar’s military junta, supply of missiles to Bangladesh, etc, forms a part of strategy encirclement of India with hostile/inimical states. This is also known as string of pearl strategy.

 

 

The encirclers compete with each other. Pakistan is openly hostile, pursuing its aim of balkanization of India with great focus and zeal. Realizing that militarily they are no match to India, Pakistan adopted the strategy of low-intensity warfare, export of terrorism – directly or via through Bangladesh and Nepal , forged currency racket (to weaken India economy), etc.  China deserves praise – for being candid in their string of pearl strategy. They have developed Tibet with road and rail connection and can deploy a few million armed forces within days to take on India. As such China is a nuclear heavy-weight. Bangladesh are regular importers of Chinese defence equipment –including submarines and missiles – to take on whom ? Maldives has clearly demonstrated their inclination towards Pakistan.

 

 

Sri Narendra Modi inherited an encircled India.

 



 

Blame Thy Neighbours

India proved the Latin proverb (which translates to : In peace one prepares for a war) to be wrong. The Lost Decade (of UPA ) was omnipotent in every aspect of our Nation’s destruction. Foreign affairs was no exception. While Pakistan can never be trusted, India did have significant influence in international area (especially in South – East Asia) till a decade ago. However Indian political and bureaucratic top-brass not only ensured Pak-China superiority but also lost quite a few old friends. Classic example is the case of Bhutan. Mid 2013, India stopped fuel subsidy to Bhutan. It was alleged in news reports to be an outcome of diplomatic overkill or slow grind of the bureaucratic machinery. Nevertheless, India was apt in pushing Bhutan towards China, to whom it was a God (?) – sent opportunity.

 

 

Probably to undo this blunder of UPA, Sri Narendra Modi chose Bhutan to be his first foreign destination after becoming Prime Minister.

 

 

In March 2012, India voted against Sri Lanka in UN. Dr Singh’s government depended on the support of DMK. Voting in favour of Sri Lanka would have antagonised DMK and even threaten the government. UPA chose to sacrifice National Interest to please DMK and remain in power. Result – many Indian fishermen languishing in Sri Lankan jails. And yet another God sent opportunity to Pakistan/China. During the last days of UPA, India abstained from similar such vote prompting Sri Lanka to release many fishermen from their custody. Of course, then Finance Minister Mr P Chidambaram was extremely upset for this decision.

 

 

From May 26 till early July 2014, 249 fishermen were released by Sri Lanka, thanks to Sri Narendra Modi’s invite to his Sri Lankan counterpart for the May 26 swearing-in ceremony.

 

 

Where there is a will – there is a way.

 

Indo-Nepal Relation

The political scenario of this serene Himalayan Nation went through catastrophic transformation with the unfortunate  event of Nepalese royal massacre ( June 1, 2001). It is alleged that the heir to the throne killed nine members of his family including his father who was the King, before killing himself. Generally such incidences are followed by political instability and Nepal was no different.  All these provided yet another opportunity both for China and Pakistan to fish in troubled water in carrying out their designs. While proliferation of communists in Nepalese life were on much before 2001, Pakistan took advantage of the situation in various ways such as : placing their recruits along the borders, proliferate anti-India sentiments amongst the general Nepalese citizen, target the Gurkhas with an attempt to brain-washing them against India (so that Indian Army could be proliferated), etc. On the other hand, communists infiltrated from northern part of India (UP and Bihar) and spread their wings right upto Andhra Pradesh. Economically neglected (by successive state governments) areas of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, etc, became hot bed of Naxal activities.

 

 

UPA government were too busy in 2G, CWG, CoalGate, AgustaWestLand Helicopter deal,..Also there were many “extra curricular” activities such as : managing slaughter-houses of top ministers, courtship with news reader and then mad-dog  haunting of Sri Narendra Modi through all possible means – external (US snooping on BJP) as well as internal (CBI, SIT, NGOs, …).

 

So hardly found time to address / tackle these issues threatening National security !

 

UPA ensured a vulnerable and precarious India – economically, militarily and encircled by enemies.

Visit by Sri Narendra Modi

After visiting Bhutan to re-install lost faith and trust, Sri Narendra Modi is now in Nepal – ostensibly to restore the lost faith the two nations had on each other for centuries.  Re-uniting Jeet Bahadur is a symbol of re-uniting the two Nations who are so much entwined culturally, economically, socially and politically – just like Bhutan. Trust is something which takes ages to develop but a minute to break. While the onus of re-building the ties is on both sides, one has to initiate the process giving an opportunity to the other to reciprocate. Breaking all diplomatic protocols, the Prime Minister of Nepal has received Modi today on his arrival. His visit is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in last 17 year – a fact which speaks volumes on our relationships. The “push” which India gave Nepal for tilting towards China needs to be reversed to a “pull” towards India.  However – it might take a long time to restore the faith and trust amongst the neighbours. After all the decade-long mess ( or treason ?) of UPA cannot be undone in 60 days.

 

In peruse of  “Neighbours – First” foreign policy, India under the leadership of Mr Narendra Modi is just sending out vibes and signals of overall growth and development of the entire region where poverty and disease are all-pervading and is not bound by colour of the visa.

 

This is just the beginning.

 

Jai Hind.