Friday, June 06, 2014

Rewriting the rules of Game - Part 1

Modi Govt has started functioning a week before the Swearing-in ceremony. That in itself is FOAK (first of a kind). So What exactly have they done in this week. They invited all SAARC members for Modi Govt Swearing-In ceremony. It is important to understand whether it has happened ever before and if not, does it have any impact?

Surely never before neither India has invited neighbors nor any other democracy has done that either.

BJP claims that these invitations are part of celebrations of democracy. Undoubtedly, Elections in World's biggest democracy is a big event and the kind of results this election has thrown It needs to be celebrated.

It is important to know what benefits BJP is trying to achieve at National level politics with these invitations. Also, does this celebration has any impact on neighboring countries? Particularly with their own democracies. I believe there is larger message which is being sent from India.

India is the largest country, big brother among SAARC countries. In recent past, our relations have not been impressive but just developing relations cannot be the purpose of these invitations. As I am trying to analyze it, I could ascertain that, these invitations can impact strengthening democracies in respective countries.

Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal have been struggling with their democracies and it is clearly evident that who else but nation's own people can help strengthen democracy. So, I am questioning myself, whether this celebration will have any impact of respective countrymen. It would not have been,  say if somebody was invited 20 years ago. But the world has changed a lot in last 20 years. Through Social Media and Television, everybody knows what happens in neighboring country. A Rock-Solid democracy in India and developmental politics can have immediate impact on neighboring countries. Helping develop equally strong democracy in neighboring countries can have significant impact on bilateral relations as well. And Probably that's the larger message one would like to drive from these invitations. Invitations has something like group message for the neighbors.

The One-on-One, Bilateral meetings will continue in which the contentious issues could be discussed. There are enough disputes between India and its neighbors but probably inviting neighbors and neighbor's magnanimity in accepting the invitations show that their respect towards India and Indian democracy. Also, a serious backlash respective leader of nations would have faced from their own people. Its was diplomatic smartness which Indian Government showed probably first time in a decade.

What did Modi achieve with these invitations at National Level politics?

Coming to the criticism this move would receive from Indian people. Undoubtedly, Inviting Pakistani premier wasn't an easy decision when in a largely viewed interview during elections Modi said that discussions cannot be heard while gunshots are around. Another objection has been from NDA partners about inviting SriLankan president. Many of these NDA parties are Tamilian Parties who would oppose such proactive step tooth and nail. But NDA still went ahead hosting SriLankan President. It was simply to convey to regional parties that Foreign relations falls under Central Government's purview in Federal structure and Central Government would take necessary steps to ensure what is good for country. TN parties which have gained importance highlighting SriLankan Tamil's issue, due to weaker Central Government were made to realize the significance of Stronger Central Government.

First few days into Government and It is clearly evident that he re-writing the rules of Game. Much more to come and analyze.

Parting Note:

The comment which I heard from my friend was that, It was Modi's 'Rajsuy Yagya' where all CMs, neighbor kings were invited. It was proclamation of a new king of Bharat Varsh.







     

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