India and the World

Indian Soft Power: Modi strategy and home truths

- by India Writes Network

There is a lot of hype regarding Prime Minister Modi’s innovative and constructive approach to India’s foreign policy. Some have gone so far as to say Indian foreign policy has undergone a revolution under the Modi administration. While it is contentious whether there are more elements of change or continuity, a change is certainly being implemented with regard to India’s soft power that is being methodically and strategically deployed like never before.

Joseph Nye originally coined the term “soft power” in the late 1980s, which he describes as “the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion, resulting in a more favourable public opinion and credibility abroad”. It has been emphasized by author Shashi Tharoor, also a former junior minister of external affairs, who states that “the associations and attitudes conjured up in the global imagination by the mere mention of a country’s name is often a more accurate gauge of its soft power than a dispassionate analysis of its foreign policies”. The events of the previous decade have espoused the limitations of the use of force, leading to a subsequent resurgence in the importance of soft power as a foreign policy tool.

The concept of soft power is not new to India. India’s Non-alignment Movement (NAM) developed in the explicit historical situation of India’s independence struggle and was an embodiment of the values and ideals, such as the Gandhian nonviolent legacy, that influenced it. Independent India’s elites attempted to pursue a leadership role for India based on its ideological soft power and diplomacy. Indeed, India’s first Prime Minister Nehru was a proponent of soft power and carved an international role for India based on its moral standing and its support of the developing world, thus attempting to play a normative role in international relations.

Read More

Obama’s clean power strategy: Lessons for India

- by India Writes Network

On August 3, US President Barack Obama launched the enhanced version of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s original proposed Clean Power Programme. This sets ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from the US power sector. The plan has many features that could be of interest to India, and perhaps even more relevant.

The basic features of Obama’s plan may be summarised as follows – (1) New national carbon pollution standards for the first time for power plants, aimed at cutting carbon and particulate emissions (2) Reduction (over 2005 levels) from the power sector of oxides of Carbon (32 percent), Sulphur (90 percent) and Nitrogen (72 percent) (3) Transition to cleaner sources of energy, especially to renewable energy. The projected economic benefits of the plan are climate-related benefits ($20 billion), health related benefits ( $14-34 billion), and avoiding each year 3600 deaths, 1700 heart attacks, 90,000 asthma attacks and loss of 300,000 work and school days due to illness.

The plan is based on: (1) Close partnerships between the Federal government and state governments (2) Separate standards for coal/oil and natural gas based plants (3) State-level targets in terms of CO2 per kilowatt hour (kWH) of power, and total CO2 emissions. (4) State-level incentives for clean and renewable energy (5) Flexible mechanisms for implementing plans. These targets are to be met singly or in combination with other states (including through emissions trading etc.) during 2022-2029. The mechanisms offer flexibility to the States which are required to submit final plans by September 2016.

Read More

Charming Dubai: UAE awaits Modi the performer

- by India Writes Network

Barely a day after unfurling the tricolour at the majestic Red Fort in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fly down to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for his first visit to the energy-rich and enterprising Gulf region, home to the 7-million strong Indian diaspora. Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the two cities Mr Modi will visit on August 16 and 17, are looking to roll out the red carpet for Mr Modi, who will become the first Indian prime minister to visit the country in 34 years after Indira Gandhi.

The focus will be on intensifying economic ties across the spectrum, but the show-stealer will be clearly the grand public event at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where around 40,000 people, mostly Indians, will be all eyes and ears to see and hear the man who has carved a reputation for himself as a stage performer. In an act reminiscent of Madison Square Avenue panache, PM Modi is expected to enthrall them with his inspiring rhetoric, exhorting them to contribute their bit to the resurgence to the motherland.

Read More

Nepal’s 6-province demarcation deal a breakthrough

- by India Writes Network

In a major step forward that could spur the adoption of a new constitution by Nepal, the four major political parties of the Himalayan state have reached a landmark deal to divide the country into six provinces, with each sharing a border with India, the country’s largest trading partner and source of foreign investment.

After months of intense negotiations and hurdles faced on the contentious issue of federalism, the four major parties broke the deadlock on the issue over the weekend. Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala lauded the crucial development that has resolved a major divisive issue in the way of the adoption of a new federal constitution. “A constitution with federalism and demarcation has been ensured,” Mr Koirala tweeted. “I call on everyone to not be stuck on minor disagreements and work to build and develop the country”, he added.

The Constitutional-Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (CPDCC) of the Constituent Assembly finally signed an agreement to carve out the six federal units. Further progress was made on another contentious issue regarding citizenship where children could acquire citizenship in the name of either mother or father, according to Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh.

Read More

India set to boycott Commonwealth Parliamentary Meet in Islamabad

- by India Writes Network

n the backdrop of recent terror attacks on the Indian soil by Pakistan, a new issue has threatened to cloud ties between the two neighbours. Pakistan has stirred another controversy by not inviting Speaker of Jammu & Kashmir assembly to the 61st Commonwealth Parliamentary Union to be held in Islamabad from September 30-October 8, eliciting strong objections from India.

Registering India’s disappointment, the speakers of all other states who were invited, along with speaker of the Lok Sabha Ms. Sumitra Mahajan, decided unanimously that India would not attend the meet if the J&K speaker is not invited. “We (31 speakers) reviewed this issue and felt this was wrong. We reject this decision (of Pakistan). We are writing to the CPA chairperson that if J&K speaker is not invited then India will not attend the meeting or change the venue (for us to attend),” said Ms Mahajan.

Jammu and Kashmir Speaker Ravindra Gupta called Pakistan a “terrorist state” while thanking the speakers for their decision saying it was a question of unity and integrity of the country. When India asked Pakistan for a reason it gave an explanation citing an old rule of 1951-57 where they raised the issue at the UN Security Council (UNSC), which is no longer relevant, said Ms. Mahajan.

Read More

Two suicide blasts rock Kabul, target peace plan

- by India Writes Network

Two suicide blasts within a span of 24 hours have struck Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. This is the first major attack on the capital after the death of the legendary one-eyed Mullah Omar was announced. The blasts killed around 35 people and injured more than 100 people. The first attack killed 15 people and wounded 240 people, according to news reports. The second attack killed 20 Afghan cadets when a suicide bomber dressed as a policeman blew himself up at the entrance of the Kabul Police Academy. These attacks have happened after the new Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour has taken over, and is trying to strengthen his position and image in front of the Taliban cadres.

The Taliban, while claiming responsibility for the second attack, did not claim the first attack. The second attack also raises questions about the vulnerability of the security forces facing Taliban after the NATO forces ended combat operations in the country.

Read More

Europe opportunity: EU invites PM Modi for India-EU summit

- by India Writes Network

Barely months after his successful visits to Germany and France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi look set to galvanize India’s multifarious relations with the 28-nation European Union later this year.

The EU has sent an invite to Mr Modi to attend the India-EU summit in Brussels, said Minister of State for External Affairs V.K Singh. The summit is expected to be held before or after the G20 summit in November.

“The Summit will provide an opportunity for taking stock of the ongoing cooperation between India and EU and explore ways of further energising bilateral collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including exchange of views on global issues of mutual interest and concern”, said Mr Singh.

The prime ministerial visit will focus on expanding economic and strategic relations with the EU, India’s largest trading partner. Bilateral trade between India and the EU has surged to USD 101.5 billion (FY 2013-14). The total FDI equity inflows into India from EU was around USD 8,207 million during 2014-15.

Read More