PM Modi to neighbours: We fought the Raj as one, now fight poverty
16 Aug TOI
For the first time in a long time, the Indian prime minister did not
indulge in Pakistan bashing from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Given his background as a tough leader promising “zero tolerance” for
terrorism, many had expected Modi to take on Islamabad in his first
Independence Day speech. Instead the prime minister chose to carry
forward his new blueprint for regional integration, at the same time
establishing his credentials as a regional leader. Modi exhorted his
Saarc counterparts to join the battle against problems that go beyond
borders - the challenge of poverty and development.
The Saarc region had a common history relating to the freedom
movement pre-1947. “Our common forefathers fought for freedom together.
If without weapons or resources we could defeat a powerful sultanate
(British rule), can't we defeat poverty together?” Modi did not
elaborate on how he planned to take his vision forward, but the change
of content in his speech could mark a new beginning in India's relations
with its neighbours.
Modi's speech was translated simultaneously for the almost 150
foreign diplomats and ambassadors who attended the Red Fort event. MEA
officials said this year, they got requests for passes from 150
missions, which, in other years rarely exceeded 60.
In his decade of addressing the nation from the Red Fort, former PM
Manmohan Singh never failed to tick the terrorism box. This time, Modi
crafted a new set of themes, all centred on the growth and development
of India. Not merely in physical terms, but also trying to create a new
paradigm for development.
It was only a few days ago that Modi while visiting Jammu & Kashmir,
put Pakistan on notice for its ‘proxy war’ against India. “For relations
with Pakistan to improve, it is essential that they prevent the use of
their territory and territory under their control for any anti-India
activity.” The remark provoked an immediate response from Pakistan.
(The MEA was pleasantly surprised by the interest taken by diplomats
in Modi's speech. As many as 150 missions, against the usual 50-60,
requested the ministry for passes to attend.)But on Friday, Modi's
message found resonance in the region. “It was the right message, and
inclusive, because he focused on cooperation on our biggest
challenge--poverty,” Tariq Karim, Bangladesh high commissioner told TOI.
Abdul Basit, Pakistan high commissioner, said, “Poverty is a common
challenge for all the eight Saarc countries and, no doubt, if we work
together we are far better placed to fight poverty and other challenges
facing the region.
We agree there is need to inject energy into Saarc.” Its clear Modi
is paying a lot of attention to his message and its context.
Though he did not name any country, the PM's Red Fort speech takes
forward his theme of nation-building using foreign policy as a tool to
achieve it.
In inviting foreign investment into India to boost manufacturing,
Modi made it clear that progress cannot be at the cost of the
environment. In other words, India will not welcome polluting industries
which want to relocate to a developing country.
His slogan of “zero defect, zero effect” links Modi's vision securely
to Japan and Shinzo Abe--the Japanese way is all about high quality,
high end manufacturing, with minimum impact on the environment.
Interestingly, Modi's route to making India the next manufacturing hub
is very different from China's, which achieved its development with a
high cost to health and environment. Modi's vision finds takers in the
high-technology, high quality-of-life economies of northern Europe, like
Denmark and Sweden.
Given that Modi will soon be embarking on high-stakes diplomatic
engagement with leaders of Japan, Australia, China and US, his
independence day remarks assume a lot of significance.
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