FOREIGN POLICY: New, Strong and Clear Outreach

[asaffronladoftherisingsun]

Singapore, India sign pact on cooperation between two navies

Singapore, India sign pact on cooperation between two navies | India News - Times of India

India News: India and Singapore on Wednesday signed an agreement on submarine rescue support and cooperation between the two navies during the 5th Defence Ministe

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

A noob question , culturally and religious wise which sect dominates in singapore ? Buddhism is only 30% there.

 

[shade]

A noob question , culturally and religious wise which sect dominates in singapore ? Buddhism is only 30% there.

Culturally it's Choynees, with Malay Momin and Hindu Tamils( among other kinds of Desis ) being the minorities.

Chongs split between christianity, Buddhism and whatever Ching chong native religion they have, which is very oogah boogah btw.

Even "Christian" ching chongs worship their OG Chinese gods.

So basically chings are pragmatic and don't get hung up over religion.
But race.

 

[Suryavanshi]

A noob question , culturally and religious wise which sect dominates in singapore ? Buddhism is only 30% there.

Singapore is the closest thing to a true Secular state. The Gov is such that it integrates all the religions and don't let radical elements persist in the society.
Public housing in Singapore in such a way that it prevents concentration of too many people of the same religion in the same place. All domestic, foreign policies are not influenced by religion or ideology of any kind. The courts, admins, police, armed forces derive power from the well structured constitution.

 

[shade]

Singapore is the closest thing to a true Secular state. The Gov is such that it integrates all the religions and don't let radical elements persist in the society.
Public housing in Singapore in such a way that it prevents concentration of too many people of the same religion in the same place. All domestic, foreign policies are not influenced by religion or ideology of any kind. The courts, admins, police, armed forces derive power from the well structured constitution.

In Singapur money is God, everything else is secondary, even modern bs like multi party elections, democrazy etc.
Since Singapur got independence it has been ruled by the same party headed by someone from the Lee Kuan Jew dynasty.

 

[Deadtrap]

A noob question , culturally and religious wise which sect dominates in singapore ? Buddhism is only 30% there.

You also find many Chindians. Mix race of Indians and Chineses.

 

[asaffronladoftherisingsun]

Much obliged @Bhumihar @Deadtrap @shade for inputs.

 

[sorcerer]

India pledges $150,000 for UN peace-building | India News - Times of India

India pledges $150,000 for UN peace-building | India News - Times of India

India News: India has announced a pledge of $150,000 to activities of the Peacebuilding Fund this year and said that 2021 provides the international community wit

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

[sorcerer]

Expanding ecological partnership: India-France to launch Year of Environment
Eyeing to widen cooperation in the fight against climate change Minister for Ecological Transition of France, Barbara Pompili, will be in India on a five-day visit to deepen Indo-French cooperation on sustainable development, particularly renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, smart cities, and plastic waste management.

Expanding ecological partnership: India-France to launch Year of Environment

Eyeing to widen cooperation in the fight against climate change Minister for Ecological Transition of France, Barbara Pompili, will be in India on a five-day visit to deepen Indo-French cooperation on sustainable development, particularly renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, smart...

economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[sorcerer]

Jaishankar unveils India's BRICS website | India News - Times of India


NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday launched India's website for five-nation grouping BRICS.
India assumed chairmanship of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) this year when the bloc is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Jaishankar unveils India's BRICS website | India News - Times of India

India News: NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday launched India's website for five-nation grouping BRICS.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

[sorcerer]

Opinion: Oman will record India sending vaccines in golden letter

The Omani people and government will record this generous gesture and step by India in golden letters. The gesture will remain in history as an example of love and respect between the two friendly countries and peoples at various governmental and popular levels. It also reflects the keenness of both countries to remain beside each other at will and woe. I hope that this initiative will be an example to be followed in resolving international crises. I hope this will deter unfriendly countries to stop weaving conspiracies here and there to serve causes that will not serve humanity.

Opinion: Oman will record India sending vaccines in golden letter

Crises differ between countries according to the different viewpoints and ideologies of each country, whether these policies are designed and planned to reach a goal. The crisis may be also a recent emergency, as is the case in the "Covid 19" pandemic, which hit many countries without warning...

www.wionews.com

 

[HawkisRight]

 

[sorcerer]

India opens fourth embassy in Liberia


As a part of India’s plan to increase its footprint in Africa, New Delhi has opened the fourth embassy as planned for the current financial year (2019-2020) in Liberia.

The four missions opened this year are Sierra Leone, Sao Tome, Togo and Liberia.

India opens new mission in Liberia, fourth in this financial year

As a part of India’s plan to increase its footprint in Africa, New Delhi has opened the fourth embassy as planned for the current financial year (2019-2020) in Liberia.

www.indiatoday.in

 

[sorcerer]

Turkmenistan Special Forces Commence Combat Free Fall Training at Indian Special Forces Training School


Posted On: 04 MAR 2021 3:38PM by PIB Delhi



The Indian Special Forces (SF) have over a period earned immense respect and reputation of being one of the finest Special Forces in the world due to its professionalism, operational expertise, and sacrifice. Special Forces of friendly nations including the USA, Australia, countries of Central Asian Region & the Middle East have increasingly shown their desire to train with the battle-hardened Indian SF troops. In response, the Indian Army's Special Forces have increased their engagement with their counterparts from friendly nations.


Based on a request from the Turkmenistan Special Forces, the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) of the Indian Army, which is a unique institution providing training to the Indian Army's Special Forces, has commenced training of paratroopers from the Turkmenistan Special Forces in Combat Free Fall as a precursor to a series of other customised professional courses which will assist in capability enhancement of Turkmenistan Special Forces.

 

[Hari Sud]

India’s Entry into QUAD & Benefits

Grab the opportunity to get on US’s right side just as China used the opportunity to get on US’s right side during Reagan Administration. At that time US (post Nixon-Kissinger era) was searching for an ally in Asia to counter the Soviet Union. China was the perfect example. It showered huge money in FCI, technology and opened its markets for imports. In turn China just postured but did nothing to upset the Soviet-US balance. Now the same or similar opportunity is knocking at India’s door. US is looking for an ally in Asia to counter China (not Russia) in South China Sea and the rest of Asia. China has grown far more aggressive and is challenging US to deter it to step its foot in Asia or open seas. Although the Chinese military is too preliminary in its capabilities, but still they are giving it a try.

India with 60 years of military and border trouble with China is a perfect fit the become a US ally and counter China. The Chinese have become belligerent with too much US trade cash and have begun to exert pressure on the US itself.

It took them 8 years of deliberations for US to come up with a solution to this rising Chinese menace. They need a big ally with capable strategy on which they could shower FCI, technology and build up as a major counter to China. India is the perfect example.

That opportunity arrived in the form of a revival of the QUAD concept in Asia to encircle China. The concept had been around since 2008 but US did not fully elucidate it well and India seemed to be disinterested in the concept. It is geographical Japan, Australia and US pooling their naval might together to tell the Chinese first, that no more South China Sea capture will be permitted and second, force China to withdraw from the South China back to its shores.

It was President Trump, who wished to tackle China head on. It tackled on its trade/exports and then went around asking the possible QUAD members to pool resources together. US alone could force China out with its naval might but wished to tackle China at sea with joint effort in order to forestall criticism of its actions. All tiny nations like Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Korea and Malaysia/Singapore, etc. are sick of being bullied by China but have no power to do that. If QUAD power emerges, then they have the power and force China away.

For India other than limiting Chinese naval power expansion to Indian expansion has a direct benefit. In case the Chinese get too ambitious and stage another LAC type of operation and the situation escalate into a shooting, then, the presence of QUAD power in the Arabian Sea will prevent Pakistan from join the Chinese side to capture Kashmir or any other military operations against India. That is where the whole concept of allies is born. India alone can tackle China and Pakistan, individually, but difficult to handle them together without a nuclear war. Hence, if it, the Quad prevents a joint Pakistan & Chinese action then it should be welcomed.

 

[ezsasa]

 

[ezsasa]

There is an old theory of mine, which by myself am not able to take it to logical conclusion for some time.

======

My theory goes that brits/EIC were successful in the subcontinent when they first arrived here was because of their centuries of handling European strategic games prior to arrival in India. when I say successful, I mean EIC was dealing with local Rajas as an extension of British crown, they used to make trade deals, they used to settle disputes, they used to loan money, they used to take loans etc etc..

this sort of maturity in handling multiples sovereigns(for all practical purpose each kingdom in the subcontinent at that time was its own country) in a foreign land by EIC has come because of institutional maturity handling European domestic politics. after Spain and Portugal, Britain and France have been in on and off wars “forever”.

So when it comes to India foreign policy, if modern India is to develop our own skillset in handling foreign policy, the opportunity given by China should be fully utilised to hone India’s diplomatic skills in our neighbourhood.

take risks get rewards, don’t try to be a good boy all the time. Develop institutional capability to handle diplomacy beyond what govt setup can offer. Learn from British empire, on some aspects useful to us.

So the question is, Is this a valid proposition?

 

[sorcerer]

India relives proud legacy by honouring Sultan Qaboos with Gandhi Peace Prize
“Strategic partnership” with India

The citation for the Gandhi Peace Prize is accompanied by a thoughtful tribute from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi spoke of Qaboos as a “beacon of peace for our region and the world”; more importantly, he recalled him as “a true friend of India” who shaped the “strategic partnership” between the two countries.


These remarks barely do justice to Qaboos’ respect and affection for India. The sultan was deeply conscious of the historic and civilisational ties that have bonded the Indian and Omani people over several centuries. His first act after becoming sultan was to pay a private visit to Bombay in 1970 and pray at the grave of his grand-father, Sayyid Taimur, who had been exiled to India by the British in 1932 and had died in 1965. And, while the sultan had an official “Arab” garment as his ceremonial dress, he also adopted the Indian sherwani and fur cap as the other formal dress of the ruler.


But the sultan went beyond such external gestures and shaped a special place for India in his strategic vision. In 1993, after the end of the Cold War and the First Gulf War nearer home, Sultan Qaboos recognised the need for a strategic partner to safeguard Oman’s security. He turned to India as the nation with which Oman had had long-standing economic and community-based ties, with the two countries enjoying a high degree of cultural comfort with each other. The modern “strategic partnership” would, in his view, establish firm security ties, with Oman offering India access to its ports along the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz.


To provide a solid economic foundation to the partnership, the sultan proposed that two high-value projects be executed by government companies, one in Oman and the other in India. Besides this, Indian and Omani private companies should set up a joint holding company to pursue projects in the two countries, as also in third countries.


It must be noted with regret that India just could not rise to this opportunity. It took over a decade for the joint venture fertiliser project to be completed at Sur, with the project being badly delayed by political disputes and name-calling in India, with vested interests making every effort to subvert the initiative. The project in India, the oil refinery at Bina in Madhya Pradesh, was in fact subverted by vested interests not wanting a new refinery in India, so that Oman had no choice but to withdraw from it. The private sector initiative went nowhere – the Indian companies simply conveyed that they just could not work with each other.


It is possible that, at some stage, Sultan Qaboos realised that his vision for a real strategic partnership with India, that would yield advantages to both sides, was going nowhere: when I met the sultan at my farewell call after the completion of my ambassadorship and recalled the successful completion of the Sur project, Qaboos ruefully remarked: “You took your time over it, didn’t you.”

India relives proud legacy by honouring Sultan Qaboos with Gandhi Peace Prize

Qaboos, born in 1940, ascended the Omani throne in July 1970 through a bloodless coup that overthrew his father, Sultan Said bin Taimur, with the help of British intelligence, and ushered in an era of…

www.siasat.com

 

[ezsasa]

if any one has latest official numbers of aid india gave to other countries during covid, do post it here.
preferably as a list, instead of individual posts.

 

[shade]

There is an old theory of mine, which by myself am not able to take it to logical conclusion for some time.

======

My theory goes that brits/EIC were successful in the subcontinent when they first arrived here was because of their centuries of handling European strategic games prior to arrival in India. when I say successful, I mean EIC was dealing with local Rajas as an extension of British crown, they used to make trade deals, they used to settle disputes, they used to loan money, they used to take loans etc etc..

this sort of maturity in handling multiples sovereigns(for all practical purpose each kingdom in the subcontinent at that time was its own country) in a foreign land by EIC has come because of institutional maturity handling European domestic politics. after Spain and Portugal, Britain and France have been in on and off wars “forever”.

So when it comes to India foreign policy, if modern India is to develop our own skillset in handling foreign policy, the opportunity given by China should be fully utilised to hone India’s diplomatic skills in our neighbourhood.

take risks get rewards, don’t try to be a good boy all the time. Develop institutional capability to handle diplomacy beyond what govt setup can offer. Learn from British empire, on some aspects useful to us.

So the question is, Is this a valid proposition?

Yes, you are right, proposition is valid, however we must start small and first on neighborhood, then the little island countries lile mauritius/seychelles, then Eastern Africa and ASEAN countries.
An active foreign policy is an asset.

 

[Tshering22]

There is an old theory of mine, which by myself am not able to take it to logical conclusion for some time.

======

My theory goes that brits/EIC were successful in the subcontinent when they first arrived here was because of their centuries of handling European strategic games prior to arrival in India. when I say successful, I mean EIC was dealing with local Rajas as an extension of British crown, they used to make trade deals, they used to settle disputes, they used to loan money, they used to take loans etc etc..

this sort of maturity in handling multiples sovereigns(for all practical purpose each kingdom in the subcontinent at that time was its own country) in a foreign land by EIC has come because of institutional maturity handling European domestic politics. after Spain and Portugal, Britain and France have been in on and off wars “forever”.

So when it comes to India foreign policy, if modern India is to develop our own skillset in handling foreign policy, the opportunity given by China should be fully utilised to hone India’s diplomatic skills in our neighbourhood.

take risks get rewards, don’t try to be a good boy all the time. Develop the institutional capability to handle diplomacy beyond what govt setup can offer. Learn from the British empire, on some aspects useful to us.

So the question is, Is this a valid proposition?

Very much a valid proposition and yes, the British have accumulated centuries of experience controlling European politics.

But you need to understand that the training of foreign policy experts in their country has been constantly changing with time. They have an ideological base which is the conquest and domination of the world using money and trade. Meanwhile, India does not have an ideological base and much of the IFS babus and public officers are all cultural Marxists, Dr. Jaishankar being the exception. Cultural Marxists loath their country, culture, and lands and try to imitate foreigners. This makes them more vulnerable to foreign defections and working as their agents in Indian foreign policy-related positions.

To manage India's diplomacy, the current government needs to establish an ideological state and a clear narrative, no matter how "discriminatory" it sounds against some vested interest groups. Without an ideological state, there can be no single narrative that we can promote as our own to the world of potential allies.

For that, we need 2 things:

1. Change the way IFS babus and related officers' training curriculum is. Completely
2. Set an ideological base; we don't even need to invent anything new - just freaking adopt the Kautilya Arthashastra as our nation-state ideology

Stick to these two things and we will emerge as the new deal makers in this world.