वंदे बनाम गंदा नहीं अभिनंदनीय आत्मनिर्भर भारत

Modi’s message to Muslims: Master Stroke of Statesmanship

Ashish K.S. Massey, Ph.D.

Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India

Ex-Chairman, U.P. State Minority Commission,

Government of U.P.

Indian diplomacy is moving towards sustainable success under the leadership of our new Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. The new government has tried to make the right beginning, from an almost zero start. Though the foreign policy of any country runs on the principles of continuity and change. But because of the big diplomatic blunders of the past, paradigm shift was not only important but necessary.

For the first time India started its diplomatic journey with the basics. Unlike Nehruvian era when our country’s policies in general and foreign policy in particular, were guided by the natural magnetic poles effect of world big countries USA and Russia. Whereas Modi kept Indian foreign policy from this luring polar net. He understood the basics of diplomacy and standard with building relationship with our immediate neighbours who are known in Asian history as “Aaryavrat”.

Hence, right from the swearing in ceremony, India’s new government laid emphasis on neighbourhood cooperation as the fundamental priority. Hence, our immediate bordering neighbours like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldivians, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka became the prime focus. This South Asian Regional Cooperation (SARC) became the ground of this new diplomatic launch pad.

This SARC initiative yielded positive results. India for the first time came close to its fighting neighbours, whose grounds were used for spreading bitterness and venom against India. The new Indian government leadership rightly put its finger on the pulse of times. Understanding that bitterness with neighbours is fatal for our national security as a ploy of our bigger and real enemies to drag India into regional strifes. So we can not emerge to compete with the real enemies behind masks. Now with better relationship with Bhutan and Nepal and even with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan our regional headache is much lessened. The warm welcome given in Nepal speaks volumes of our strategic success. In future this is going to be a hallmark in the prosperity and progress of this whole region as a tourism corridor.

The proposed tourism corridor will not only attract foreign tourists, thereby giving boost to tourism and travel industry but also help in the development of infrastructure facilities for hospitality sports, culture, medicine, education, handicrafts etc. After completing the basic ground work of neo Indian diplomatic mission in Modi era, the efforts for ARC (Asian Regional Corporation) are becoming a focal concern. The trillion dollar investment of Japan has created new phase of investment history in India and the trust shown in the leadership of Narendra Modi was worth applause.

Japan is known for its economic disciplines. Their business corporations debarred over a dozen Indian companies. But on the request of Modi’s leadership they have withdrawn the bar from many Indian corporates. This shows how effective our diplomacy is and how much credible is our national leadership. This diplomacy has created a boundary trust in the hearts of global masses, monasteries and has successfully broken down cultural barriers. The Kashi – Kyoto relationship is bright example of this success story.

Amidst many odds and awkward border situations, the arrival of Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping was looked upon negatively by many experts and commentators? How, amidst border disputes will, the Indo-China summit be successful? But Modi proved all critics wrong. He successfully defined the role and relevance of India’s economic diplomacy. If both the countries can focus on the future economic endeavours, the coming century will definitely be the century of Asians. There is no doubt that our long borders are disputed but it is also a fact that their border disputes are not turning into insurgencies.

Hardly do we hear of any border cross firing and injuries and fatalities on the border. If both the countries can go hand in hand towards economic prosperity and progress, these disputes will also be eliminated forever and the joint declaration and the joint press conference have laid down a strong foundation for Asia Regional Corporation in general and Sino Indian relationship in particular. The coming of Chinese leader in Ahmadabad is not only historic but shows respect for his Indian counterpart. The 12 agreements signed worth 200 billion dollars speak volumes, without cutting/abbreviating any word.

Now, after victorious Asian journey and success of Brics another third world grouping the diplomatic, Indian diplomacy mission is moving towards its global testing. The same USA which has claimed to be the world’s greatest and oldest democracy, now eagerly waits to meet the leader of the world’s largest democracy. Both these democracies are torn by spread of terrorism. The people of both countries despite their innocence became the victims of terrorism “The Al Qaida” and its allies ISIS. United action is the need of humanity at large. In a prelude to the American visit, the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi spoke to Americas No. 1 news channel-CNN to a former editor chief of US weekly, Newsweek. The remarks he made on Indian Muslims, are not only correct and marvellous but also speak the mindset of not only Narendra Modi but it reflects the ethos of Sanatan Hindu thought. It also reflects that India is emerging, taking every Indian onwards in this journey of development. This sentence is not a statement of any politician, but historical remarks of a great statesman in modern history, who has stopped the movement of Islamic terrorism on Indian soil as well as put balm on the hearts of the Indian Muslims too. Furthermore, paving the way for Modi magic to spell in forthcoming maiden USA diplomatic visit.

Ashish K.S. Massey, Ph.D.

Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India

Ex-Chairman, U.P. State Minority Commission,

Government of U.P.