Modi shifts Strategic & Policy balance, subtly

[Ray]

Modi shifts balance, subtly

Nay Pyi Taw, Nov. 12: India has for the first time articulated intent to enhance "balance" in the Asia Pacific region where China's growing assertiveness is worrying several nations.

"A rapidly developing India and the Association of South East Asian Nations can be great partners for each other," Prime Minister Narendra Modi today told leaders of the 10-nation Asean in Myanmar. "We are both keen to enhance our cooperation in advancing balance, peace and stability in the region."

The Prime Minister's words departed dramatically from New Delhi's traditional posture on its own aspirations.

New Delhi — both under Manmohan Singh and till now under Modi — has so far publicly rejected suggestions that it has any intention of checking China's growing strategic heft, alone or in concert with the US, Japan, Australia and South East Asian nations critical of Beijing.

Modi and his predecessor Singh, the two Indian Prime Ministers whose terms have coincided with China's increasing muscularity in East Asia, have frequently referred to the rising tensions in the region, and have asked all nations to exercise restraint. Modi's use of "peace and stability" is in keeping with that approach.

India has also quietly enjoyed gains earned because of the tensions in East Asia, as nations that once depended economically on China look for other investment destinations.

But never has India publicly referred to any desire to ensure "balance" in the region, aware that the word fits in with attempts by the US and Japan in particular to build a coalition countering the growth of China, the only power in the Asia Pacific that is altering traditional power equations.

Instead, Singh on two occasions argued that there was enough opportunity for both India and China to grow.

"I have said on several occasions that India welcomes China's emergence," Singh said last year on a visit to Beijing. "Frankly, old theories of alliances and containment are no longer relevant. India and China cannot be contained and our recent history is testimony to this. Nor should we seek to contain others."

It is unclear whether Modi's address — he is known for impromptu improvisations — represents a shift in how India will now publicly articulate its interests in the Asia Pacific region.

But even if Modi's address merely captures his thoughts on New Delhi's role in a troubled part of the world, his use of the word will likely re-affirm fears of many in the Chinese establishment that India may take on a proactive role in balancing Beijing's rise.

Asked by The Telegraph about the Prime Minister's use of the word "balance," foreign office spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin did not mention China, but referred indirectly to the desire of Asean nations to look towards India and the West as counters to China's dominance.

"This is about the centrality of the Asean, in our view, to every element of this region's architecture — economic, political and security related," Akbaruddin said. "This is about our Look East policy converging with their Look West approach. And we welcome it."

Modi did not mention China specifically either, in his remarks — in Hindi — at the start of a 45-minute summit with the East Asian nations that as a bloc are among India's fastest growing economic partners. His original Hindi address was not made available — only an English translation that uses the word "balance" was released.

But several of the Asean nations did articulate their concerns over rising tensions with China on overlapping claims over patches of sea rich in oil and natural gas, and dotted by strategically located reefs and islands, Akbaruddin acknowledged.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Thailand within the Asean, and East Asian powerhouses South Korea and Japan are all locked in disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

Those concerns prompted Modi to respond, after the Asean leaders had spoken, Akbaruddin said.

"We all have the responsibility that we all follow international law and norms on maritime issues, as we do in the realm of air passage. In future, we will also need this in space," Modi said. "For peace and stability in South China Sea, everyone should follow international norms and law."
Modi shifts balance, subtly

It is indeed a welcomed change in that Mr Modi, unlike the passivity of Manmohan (Singh said last year on a visit to Beijing. "Frankly, old theories of alliances and containment are no longer relevant. India and China cannot be contained and our recent history is testimony to this. Nor should we seek to contain others."), has publicly referred to the desire to ensure "balance" in the region, subtly indicating the awareness that the word fits in with attempts by the US and Japan in particular to build a coalition countering the growth of China, the only power in the Asia Pacific that is altering traditional power equations.

Modi's forays abroad, which high profile, high decibel signature has invited the shrill protestations from the Opposition, mainly from the Congress that is evanescing (dissipating like vapour). The Congress' contention is that the PM should spend more time at home and address the problems of the Nation, rather than make forays abroad to high profile himself. It is obvious that the Congress is discomfited that Modi is becoming the toast of the world unlike his predecessor who was propped up so that India toes the foreign line.

It is important to note that India has to highlight its potential abroad that is on the way to economic recovery and was open to foreign collaboration, made easy by reducing red tape. There is no doubt that foreign collaboration and investments will engine the Indian economy. Yet, Modi's unflinching resolve to ensure it is favourable to India too is what will ensure a fair deal and what could be better than interacting with the world and regional leaders personally. Once the money and technology flows in, it will easier to put India back on its feet.

And bold statements abroad also indicates that India is no longer a pushover and pusillanimous as it was appearing to be before.

 

[sob]

re: Modi shifts Strategic & Policy balance, subtly

And to think that during the elections, Foreign Policy was perceived by the Experts to be the Lacunae in Modi.

 

[Ray]

Reject linkage between religion & terrorism: Modi to Asia Summit

We should reject any linkage between religion and terrorism: PM Modi tells East Asia Summit

India has made a strong pitch for increased international cooperation on energy partnership, especially in the area of solar energy, and in combating pandemics. In his address at the East Asia Summit here on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the responsibility of all nations in following "international law and norms on maritime issues" and also called for a "balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" that gives equal emphasis to goods and services.

Modi also referred to the increasing challenges of terrorism and extremism and the "close link with drug trafficking, arms smuggling and money laundering". He called for a rejection of any linkage between religion and terrorism.

"Over the last eight Summits, we have made progress in a number of areas"¦ In the same vein, we should also start major initiatives on energy partnership, for example, in the area of solar energy, with the objective of bringing affordable clean energy within the reach of all," Modi said in his address.
In the backdrop of ASEAN nations such as the Philippines dragging their feet on ratifying a crucial free trade pact with Indian on services, Modi reiterated the need for a "balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" that gives equal emphasis to goods and services.

Against the backdrop of China's increasing belligerence over maritime disputes with southeast Asian nations, Modi on Thursday reiterated that "all nations have a responsibility to follow international law nd norms on maritime issues" and that he "hoped for an early conclusion of a code of conduct to resolve the matter".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) seen at the back as US President Barack Obama and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang gesture as they walk after posing for a group photo with leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related summits ahead of a gala dinner at Myanmar International Convention Center in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on Wednesday.

On the specific issue of maritime security in the South China Sea, he said: "In a world of inter-dependence and globalisation, there is no option but to follow international laws and norms. This also applies to maritime security. For this reason, following international law and norms is important for peace and stability in South China Sea as well".

This, he said, also includes the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea, which should be the basis for resolving disputes peacefully. We also hope that the efforts to conclude a Code of Conduct on South China Sea by a process of consensus would be successful soon.

He also said that Ebola has "once again highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating pandemics". "India has made a contribution of $12 million in the efforts against Ebola. We also have 251 police personnel, including 104 women personnel, as part of the UN Mission in Liberia. They have all remained on duty in Liberia," he added.

Reiterating his government's resolve to turn its 'Look East Policy' into an 'Act East Policy', Mid referred to the East Asia Summit as "an important pillar of this policy".