The governments of Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh reveal to Akram Hoque of B&E...
Surely Jawaharlal Nehru would not have had thought even in his wildest dreams (or nightmares) back in 1947 that India would face such enormous, enervating and enfeebling challenges while dealing with neighbours in the 21st century? Bangladesh then was not even a figment of imagination. Pakistan was hostile no doubt; but jihad was something that had happened many centuries ago in West Asia. Nepal was the only Hindu Kingdom in the world with extremely close – almost umbilical – ties with India. Sri Lanka was on the cusp of attaining freedom and emerging as a South Asian paradise where the Sinhalese and Tamils co-existed in harmony. Burma was a free country where tens of thousands of Indians flourished. And yes, China was to be the friend, ally and partner of India as the Third World nations worked as comrades in arms against ‘Imperial forces’.
Nehru’s dreams started unraveling in 1947 itself when the founder of modern Burma, Aang San was assassinated and Indians were forced to leave everything and flee. By the winter of 1948, Nehru had got a first taste of jihad in Kashmir. Two more shocks awaited Nehru in 1959. The leader of Sri Lanka, Solomon Bandarnaike was assassinated and the genie of anti-Tamil policies uncorked. And of course, China annexed Tibet, claiming it was always a part of China, forcing the Dalai Lama to flee and get exile in India. By 1962, when the Chinese military humiliated India, Nehru’s dreams of a ‘friendly’ neighbourhood were utterly and completely demolished. Since then, India has simply not been able to forge really close and friendly ties with the people and governments of its neighbours.
Let’s face it. No matter how many times Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh stand in front of the mirror and ask “who is the fairest of them all?”, the fact is that India is not very popular in the neighbourhood. Perhaps the only saving grace is that it is usually the governments of these neighbouring countries that are more hostile towards India than their citizens. For Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, India is the Big Brother and Bully that has a nasty habit of throwing tantrums and throwing its weight around. For Pakistan – or at least a large part of the ruling establishment in Pakistan – India is the Eternal Enemy that defines the existential rationale for the nation state. For China, India is a ‘hegemonistic’ upstart that needs to be taught a lesson every now and then. Why, even the kingdom of Bhutan has problems with India.
What can India do about it? The first thing is not to fret so much because there is always resentment against the ‘Bigger’ power. Don’t for a moment think that citizens in Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia deeply love China. Most Mexicans are convinced Uncle Sam has trampled upon them repeatedly. Virtually no neighbour of Russia loves the Big Bear. To that extent, India will always confront resentment in neighbouring countries. Look at how Indians themselves are insecure about the real intentions and designs of China! At least when it came to foreign policy, Nehru lived in a Utopian world that never existed. And India has paid a heavy price for that idealism. Foreign policy is not about principles and idealism; it is the pursuit of national interests. So if a comrade in Nepal, a Sinhala nationalist in Sri Lanka or a closet jihadi in Bangladesh doesn’t like India, so be it. They may not like India; but be sure they will respect consistency, stability and above all power, which comes with economic prosperity of the kind that China has generated.
However, we also need to realise our own strengths. Hu Shih, former Ambassador of China to USA once said, “India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border.” On closer analysis, one realises that the things that our neighbours dislike about India are usually trivial while the things they like are fundamental. So let’s concentrate on the fundamentals. Moreover, India has to play a more proactive role in its neighbourhood, which is a key stepping stone towards becoming a responsible global power.
Nehru’s dreams started unraveling in 1947 itself when the founder of modern Burma, Aang San was assassinated and Indians were forced to leave everything and flee. By the winter of 1948, Nehru had got a first taste of jihad in Kashmir. Two more shocks awaited Nehru in 1959. The leader of Sri Lanka, Solomon Bandarnaike was assassinated and the genie of anti-Tamil policies uncorked. And of course, China annexed Tibet, claiming it was always a part of China, forcing the Dalai Lama to flee and get exile in India. By 1962, when the Chinese military humiliated India, Nehru’s dreams of a ‘friendly’ neighbourhood were utterly and completely demolished. Since then, India has simply not been able to forge really close and friendly ties with the people and governments of its neighbours.
Let’s face it. No matter how many times Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh stand in front of the mirror and ask “who is the fairest of them all?”, the fact is that India is not very popular in the neighbourhood. Perhaps the only saving grace is that it is usually the governments of these neighbouring countries that are more hostile towards India than their citizens. For Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, India is the Big Brother and Bully that has a nasty habit of throwing tantrums and throwing its weight around. For Pakistan – or at least a large part of the ruling establishment in Pakistan – India is the Eternal Enemy that defines the existential rationale for the nation state. For China, India is a ‘hegemonistic’ upstart that needs to be taught a lesson every now and then. Why, even the kingdom of Bhutan has problems with India.
What can India do about it? The first thing is not to fret so much because there is always resentment against the ‘Bigger’ power. Don’t for a moment think that citizens in Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia deeply love China. Most Mexicans are convinced Uncle Sam has trampled upon them repeatedly. Virtually no neighbour of Russia loves the Big Bear. To that extent, India will always confront resentment in neighbouring countries. Look at how Indians themselves are insecure about the real intentions and designs of China! At least when it came to foreign policy, Nehru lived in a Utopian world that never existed. And India has paid a heavy price for that idealism. Foreign policy is not about principles and idealism; it is the pursuit of national interests. So if a comrade in Nepal, a Sinhala nationalist in Sri Lanka or a closet jihadi in Bangladesh doesn’t like India, so be it. They may not like India; but be sure they will respect consistency, stability and above all power, which comes with economic prosperity of the kind that China has generated.
However, we also need to realise our own strengths. Hu Shih, former Ambassador of China to USA once said, “India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border.” On closer analysis, one realises that the things that our neighbours dislike about India are usually trivial while the things they like are fundamental. So let’s concentrate on the fundamentals. Moreover, India has to play a more proactive role in its neighbourhood, which is a key stepping stone towards becoming a responsible global power.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri's Website
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs
Arindam Chaudhuri's Portfolio - he is at his candid best by Society Magazine
IIPM Best B School India
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society....
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
IIPM B-School Detail
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri's Website
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs
Arindam Chaudhuri's Portfolio - he is at his candid best by Society Magazine
IIPM Best B School India
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society....
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
IIPM B-School Detail
