The CASA webinar on the US Presidential elections and its implications for India was interesting. The discussion with Lt Gen Gautam Moorthy, Ambassador Gurjit Singh and Prof Michael Rubin was frank and free. It emerges that the 'unknown' Harris could sandpaper the India US strategic partnership with human rights issues and centerstage fringe activism on Khalistan and Kashmir while the 'known' Trump will rub us hard on trade and a higher level of cooperation. India's handling of Trump 1.0 will stand it in good stead going ahead. One issue we need to remember - Kamala 'Chitti' is not an Indian candidate for the US presidency. Her Indian ancestry will make her behave more 'American' than normal Americans. India has the band width to deal with either and is already putting in place the blocks on which to steer the listing India US strategic partnership back to safe shores.
‘Sir, will China invade us?’ ‘We hear China has increased activities on the border’. Chinese consolidation activities on the LAC have prompted such reactions and fears. Lot of such inquiries from citizens within and outside India. Why? Bodies floating down Ganga, mass graves, lack of oxygen, medicines or hospital beds, botched vaccination program, uninterrupted work on Central Vista - all these have eroded our political capital immensely and seeded such doubts. Our national institutions are being compared to ‘rottweilers’ in the media. Economy? Unemployment figures and stock markets – both rattling up. Strangest combination. Rich getting richer and poor getting poorer. An ominous divergence which bodes ill. Leadership? Kis Chidiya ka naam hai bhai? National level paralysis in responding to the second wave. Erosion in comprehensive national power. Many have never experienced India being so weak. Nor did I for that matter. This frightening experience ...
Comments
Post a Comment