Dear Readers,
The last couple of days have been exciting for international politics. The G7 Summit has come to an end with US President Donald Trump hitting the headlines, as usual. The Prez is known for making brash statements. What he is not known for, is backing off from his words. The Trump, all us has grown to know, is the man who will stand firm on each and every word that comes out of his mouth, regardless whether it makes sense or not. Just last week, the US leader made an offer to work as a mediator to settle the ongoing sensitive Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan. This isn't the first time, the Orange Man has spoken on the issue. India has already categorically denied any claims made by him stating Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked for his help in solving the Kashmir dispute.
While the offer and any statement made was respectfully declined by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who met American counterpart Mike Pompeo last week, it was Trump's skidding U-turn at the joint press conference along with Modi, that caught my attention. Seated next to the Indian leader, when asked about his views on the Kashmir issue, Trump said Modi seemed to have it under control. He backed off from making any outrageous comments, and we all know just how difficult that must have been for him.
US-India relations are getting stronger by the day. I believe the current rapport that we see between both the nations, didn't stand true until 2008. Back in 2010, when Barack Obama was president, he had once said, "When the Indian Prime Minister speaks, the world listens." This rings true in the case of Modi as well. NaMo has managed to establish personal relations with foreign leaders and nations. He has effectively changed the mere definition of diplomacy with his idea of personalised relationships.
Modi was recently seen at the G7 Summit, despite India not being a part of the group. He had cut his Middle East trip short and arrived in France on a personal invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. India is at the doorstep of the G7, and it doesn't have to knock. It is in good terms with all the member countries, that include, UK, US, Japan, France, Italy, Canada, and Germany.
Modi has created the perfect formula on how to enhance and increase the influence of India. The world's dealing of the Kashmir dispute despite Pakistan walking up to every nation that merely glances its way asking for their mediation dealing with India, is enough proof for just how strong Modi's foreign policies are.
Modi and Amit Shah's removal of Article 370 is not only one of the best domestic moves made by the Indian government, but also completely justified. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has called the move a "historic blunder". He, along with his ministers have been calling bull with the present scenario in the Valley; crying hue over India's "atrocities" over Kashmiris. Let me make it clear, India has not inflicted any harm on Kashmiri locals. The Indian government only took the precautions necessary to avoid any catastrophy in the region.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has been placed on the blacklist by FATF Asia Pacific Group which last week placed Pakistan in an 'Enhanced Expedited Follow-Up List' and found that the country was non-compliant on 32 of the 40 compliance parameters related to terror financing and money laundering.
Modi, meanwhile, was on a two-day tour in the Middle East. In Bahrain, he launched the $4.2 million redevelopment project of the 200-year-old Lord Sri Krishna temple in Manama. (In Abu Dhabi, we have the BAPS Temple sprawled across 27.7 acres, on land gifted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Force.) Even Pakistan, which has knocked down Hindu shrines over the years, reopened a 1000 year old temple in Sialkot after 72 years. I personally know Pakistanis based in the UK, who have permitted our community to open Hindu centres and temples on their lands.
While some may believe Modi is distributing Hindu propaganda, in my view, he is distributing Indian culture. He is merely putting India in the front row. India's transformation over the years is not only confined to politics. The country's social and economic position today is worth commending. As for Pakistan, I believe the state of the people in the country speaks louder than anything else. India's neighbour has in its ignorance, infested itself with terrorism, failed to transform in time and if you ask me, it's people are actually the ones who need to be saved.
