The spate of humiliation that India went through recently did not in anyway affect India's big power dream. India is still calling itself the leader of the Global South, that it is speaking for and defending the interests of the Global South when it could not even protect its own interests. Defeated by Pakistan, got humiliated by Trump and kicked out of the failed Indo Pacific containment strategy of China, other countries would have curled up in some corner to nurse its wounds...but not India.
Modi and Jaishanker have stepped their diplomatic tours and appearance to court for supporters to join the Indian big power dream, to be the leader of the Global South. Modi knows that its game to ride on the Americans to counter China's influence is now in tatters. Maybe the next American president could want him back. Modi also knows that China will never trust India until the border issues are settled. Even his relation with Putin is questionable. Does Putin still has any fate in believing in the India game of playing both sides to serve its own interests above everyone's else.
India must raise its game, come up with some big plans, big strategies to attract the attention of the Global South and to show to the Americans that India is still a valuable partner. India's relations with the Arab and Muslim world have been compromised with his defence pact with Israel, meaning anti Arab and Muslims. What can India think of when China has taken the initiatives in several strategic and multi national projects like the BRI, BRICS and SCO? For the moment India has lost its magic to spin out something worthy of mentioning. The Indians have run out of ideas. India tried to be the leader in AI but fell hopelessly as it is not in the same league as China and America. No need to bother about high end chips. If India dares to crow about competing in chip manufacturing, it will be a laughing stock.
Finally India found a straw to grab on and hoping to push it as India's initiative to seek some recognition in the Global South. It was an idea or a red herring that desperate Biden threw up in the air as a great idea to counter China's BRI. Even the Americans could not come up with something better as China has made the first move and the BRI has covered every corner of the earth with more than 140 countries participating. But nevermind, anything will do for the the moment, better than nothing. Anyone remember what was dementia Biden's great and novel idea to challenge China's BRI? In short it is called IMEC, India Middle East Economic Corridor. This is supposed to link India through the Middle East, ie Saudi Arabia and Israel to Europe. The geography does not make sense, the road or sea route do not make sense. The pipeline through Saudi Arabia and Israel does not make sense. What goods are going to flow through this two patches of water and desert? Europe may have goods to send down to India. What is India going to send to Europe to warrant such a corridor?
Biden may not be serious, just throwing up an idea to please India in the meeting to be forgotten once he turned his back. But India is very serious. India thinks it was a great idea, even without Biden or the Americans. Modi believes India could take the lead with the support of Israel to make this happen, without understanding the politics and economics of this corridor. Modi and Jaishankar are now selling this IMEC as India's grand strategy to compete with China. Modi and Jaishankar did not see this IMEC as a dud from the beginning. India needs to do something worthy to show that it is a leader in the world.
We shall all pray and support India to turn this red herring into something real. Not to worry, India has many supporters and believers in whatever it says. Some rich countries with a lot of money and not knowing what to do with it will be throwing money into the IMEC because India said it is a good idea. And India will have a great project to rival the BRI in IMEC. By the way, where is Biden? Why no one else is talking about this dead horse, IMEC, but India?
India is also preaching to Europe with its great plan for a sort of alliance, with Europe and India as another pole to challenge China and the USA as one of the super powers. India still has high hopes for Europe without knowing that Europe is now a sick man in that corner of the world. The combination of hope, optimism and ambition are very powerful.
11 comments:
The India Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC) joke died when Biden went out of the White House. Trump is not going to revive that project for sure, knowing he does not see India in good light. So, India can just live with the realization that the IMEC is a dead horse, stillborn project. Moreover, Trump is all for his 'USA first' doctrine, although action speaks 'softer' than words, meaning making others great again instead.
India lost out big on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) connectivity, which other countries in Central and South Asia are now benefiting. Now, India has no IMEC to crow about nor BRI to connect to Europe. Only the Red Sea corridor remains, which is beyond reprieve with the Middle East war ongoing.
Even Indian airlines cannot fly over Pakistan after the recent conflict and have to go a longer route, something unpalatable for airlines with fuel prices soaring. Which is why Air India is facing serious trouble ahead. Sorry for touching someone's nerve.
After all the years of gloating about India being the next superpower, as if Russia and China are not going to be around and the USA collapsing, India is still having a wet dream despite all the shortcomings. Without fast development, infrastructure building and job creation, India's hopes can be said to be based on fantasy.
But as long as the fanatic Hindus believe in holy man Modi, what does Modi care even if their dream falls apart.
Why would Trump want to develop an alternative trade route like the IMEC when the USA is using the Suez Canal as a choke point particularly against China? Makes no sense. Biden probably forgot about the whole USA agenda. Pardon his dementia.
Well India can take over the Straits of Malacca (SM)and become the King of SEA. Liang po po actually went to India to ask Modi to send his navy to patrol SM. The Indian diaspora here, from the President to the construction workers will very much welcome it. Development Bank of Sindia will be able to provide the finance for such operation. Pilots from SIA (Sindia International Airline) can double up as their fighter aircraft driver as well. What more, the F35 an be used by them in Sinkeland without the need to pay the Americunt tonnes of $$$.
Airports in Sinkieland can double as refueling station for India fighter aircraft. After that there would be a USA cum Indian military base in Sinkieland, to protect the SM. Everything is falling into place.
Oh dear, China really is going to collapse. Wonder what Malaysia or Indonesia is going to do vouching to keep the SM open.
Hmmm, looks like history repeating itself. Strait of Hormuz version 2.
Please lah! India's navy cannot even sailed up to the Straits of Malacca without their engines failing
There fighter Jets been brought down by Pakistan's just China's lower ranges fighter Jets
Wanted.to be a Superior Power here in.this Region
Masturbate on!
No eyes see
China built the BRI because there is a real need to connect the different parts of the world for trade, especially landlocked countries and far away countries that were not served by any trade routes.
The IMEC is a vanity project that was a foolish thought of the Americans to want to show that they can come out with something to compete with China, not because there is a need for this route. The present network of trade routes have adequately served the countries of the region. IMEC is doing something for nothing, some unnecessary and does not justify the costs and effort. It is the hare brain project of childish spoilt kids.
Biden even wanted to build a railroad across the Pacific to join up with IMEC. What kind of a railroad that can cross the ocean has never existed yet, but Biden boasted about that. They thought that China would panic in the face of all the boasting. Everything now turned to dust. Not even a squeak.
LKY said long ago that the West can never elect good and capable leaders. They elect great charlatans.
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is back to Singapore — her second visit in just two months . . . . . why huh ???
To give money to Singapore I supposed.
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