(Originaly posted by tariq fatemi "former ambassador"

THE well-known American scholar on South Asia, Professor Stephen Cohen, in his definitive study on India published in 1996, had described the country as an “emerging power”. This appellation had raised some eyebrows, for while India had been doing well, many analysts were not sure whether, at that point in time, it could be considered as an emerging global power. Now, there are no such doubts.

The year ending has been a successful one for India. It is now a recognized player on the world stage, influential both in the realm of politics as well as in global trade deliberations. The graph started going up earlier, when after the June 2004 general elections, western observers were deeply impressed by the quiet dignity with which Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee acknowledged the popular will, and even before the election commission had announced the results, decided to tender his resignation. This was democracy at its best.

Thereafter, the Congress-led coalition government headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, succeeded in staving off pressure from its left-oriented coalition partners, particularly regarding economic liberalization policies. Resultantly, the Indian economy has continued to grow at nearly eight per cent per year.

But it is in the field of foreign policy that the year under review has been a remarkable one for India. Its stable polity and investor-friendly policies, coupled with a strong leadership, have resulted in a conscious effort by the world’s major powers to woo India, not only to take advantage of its increasingly attractive economic opportunities, but also to ensure that its voice and vote remain on their side.

India’s relations with the US have registered visible progress. The year began with the US and India signing an agreement in January, to facilitate greater trade and economic cooperation between them. Then, after months of intense diplomatic negotiations, India and the US signed a 10-year defence arrangement in June 2005. It will be recalled that because of the dynamics of Cold War politics, India’s security planners had either opted for the domestic production of defence weapons or depended on the former Soviet Union for these.

But Indian force requirements prompted an increase in defence ties with Washington. The latter offered top of the line systems such as the F-18 Super Hornets along with co-production possibilities, and also sold sophisticated Firefinder radar systems, while approving the sale of Israeli-made Phalcon airborne warning systems, making India one of the few countries to have this capability.

While the world was still in the midst of appreciating the scope and scale of this agreement, Prime Minister Singh’s visit to Washington on July 18 resulted in another agreement that both sides claimed would raise bilateral ties to an unprecedented level and accord it a strategic dimension with global reach. While political pundits differ on the details, there is near unanimity regarding the driving motivation of the two countries in reaching this agreement. If approved by the Congress and endorsed by other nuclear powers, it would remove the ban on civilian nuclear technology sales to Delhi. India could then obtain nuclear fuel and nuclear components from the US and other countries, though it would have to allow international inspections and agree to safeguards on its civilian nuclear facilities.

The agreement, therefore, is significant as India is closer to gaining near-formal acceptance as a nuclear weapons state. Incidentally, these actions were in line with the recommendations of the influential think tank Carnegie Endowment that the administration strengthen India to prevent Chinese domination of the region, and to this end, allow the sale of dual-use technology, including nuclear equipment to India, while abandoning Washington’s historic quest to maintain a military balance between India and Pakistan.

Although Singh did not receive everything he wanted, including Washington’s public support for its bid for a permanent Security Council seat, Bush’s agreement to supply nuclear fuel and technology was a historic breakthrough in US-India relations and confirmation of Delhi’s emergence as a major world power. Earlier, the CIA had described India as the most important “swing state” in the international system and a country that could tilt the balance between war and peace.

Under-Secretary Nicholas Burns, in a policy statement, declared that the US “looks upon India as a natural partner” that is likely to be “a rising global power”, which will “require substantially greater US attention” in the coming years. Washington’s message is that it now considers India its closest ally in this part of the world.

Admittedly, India may find aspects of the agreements irksome as they may impinge on New Delhi’s freedom of action. After all, American scholars have admitted that the administration’s emphasis is on building up India as “a potential hedge against a rising China”. China poses no threat to the US either today or in the near future, and yet is portrayed as one. This is because even if China is not a threat today, it could, at some point in time, become a rival to the US, in economic and military terms and is likely to challenge the US in its quest for the world’s natural resources. As China rises like a colossus on the world stage, the US would like to see a stronger India that can keep the Chinese off balance. This is how the US used China to balance the Soviet Union in the ‘70s and the ‘80s.

The Chinese have reacted to these developments with their usual cool detachment, neither ignoring nor panicking at the emergence of the Washington-New Delhi axis. Instead, Beijing has chosen to counter this development by strengthening its own relations with its southern neighbour by seeking to remove irritants in relations with India, while identifying new areas of economic cooperation. China no longer considers India a rival, but a competitor, with which it seeks meaningful political dialogue and mutually advantageous economic collaboration.

In fact, the Chinese are the ones who have taken the initiative to focus on the commonality of interests and views with India, rather than on their differences. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao surprised the Indians during his official visit to India in April, when he referred to Sino-Indian relations as “strategic”.

He also drew attention to the far-reaching benefits that could accrue to both countries from a close collaboration between their IT firms, pointing to the global impact of mating “Chinese hardware with Indian software”. Recently, China joined with India to purchase major stakes in Syrian oil fields, the first time the two Asian rivals in the race for global energy resources, have worked in tandem.

As India’s traditional friend and its primary benefactor over decades, Russia could not countenance being left behind in the race to curry favour, nor could President Vladimir Putin allow a friend in whom his country had invested so much time, energy and money, to drift apart. During Singh’s visit to Moscow earlier this month, Putin repeatedly referred to the “strategic relationship between the two countries”. He agreed to maintain trade benefits that New Delhi had been enjoying for years and also recognized India’s need for advanced weapons at the usual favourable terms.

The European Union remains conscious of the need to establish long-term, comprehensive relations with New Delhi. It, therefore, not only maintained its summit level dialogue with the Indian leadership, but chose to enter into a wide-ranging action plan, which it calls a “strategic partnership”. It also emphasizes that “there are few major countries in the world with whom the EU has more in common in terms of fundamental values” than India, adding that Delhi is “a major force for stability in South Asia and beyond”.

What will be India’s attitude to US wishes in the region? India is a huge country, with enormous resources and a certain sense of pride as one of the world’s ancient civilizations. This will inhibit any inclination to act at the behest of the US. But when India and the US agree to “collaborate in limited international operations, when in their national interest”, it is time for other states, especially India’s neighbours, to take serious note.

In any case, there is considerable political space between that of a proxy state and one working in close concert to promote those interests that are to their mutual advantage (India’s vote on Iran at the IAEA is a pointer of things to come). If the US wishes to promote India as the pre-eminent power in the Indian Ocean littoral and in South Asia, which Delhi, in any case, regards as its sphere of influence, there is no reason why India should shy away from it. Of course, as regards relations with Beijing, India will do nothing to arouse Chinese hostility while quietly encouraging Washington’s fears and misgivings about China.

Pakistan is not only a neighbour of both China and India, but in the very vortex that is likely to emerge because of the increasingly complex relationships developing in the region. It is also not unlikely that both the US and India will try to take advantage of their emerging entente to seek unfair advantages from Pakistan. This could be in the field of commercial or political relations. It is, therefore, incumbent on our leaders not only to resist such prospects, but to strengthen our linkages with all major power centres, so that our concerns do not disappear from the radar screens in these capitals.

But most importantly, we must refrain from any action that could even remotely hurt our relations with China. Time and events have proven the value and worth of our ties to Beijing.

The emerging profile of India




By Tayyab Siddiqui


PRIOR to the advent of new millennium, political pundits and economic experts had predicted that the 21st century would be the Asian century. The judgment was based on the tremendous potential and phenomenal progress achieved by Japan, China and the Asean nations. The economic tigers posted a growth rate of 10 per cent for over a decade, giving rise to a new paradigm of stability and influence.

India has now joined the race. The vibrancy of its economy and resilience of its democracy has ushered in a new era of India’s regional leadership, and growing role in global politics. In a recent press conference Chinese premier Wen Jiabo alluded to this role calling it the ‘Sino-Indian century’.

India is going through a remarkable transformation both internally (in terms of rapid and high economic growth) and externally (with its growing political importance). The major powers are wooing India as never before. The US is committed to help it become a “major world power in the 21st century,” while China, France and Russia are keen to enlist India as a strategic partner. The US strategic engagement is based on growing economic links, shared values of liberal democracy and India’s being a “responsible nuclear power”.

India’s growing world stature and geo-political role is primarily due to its economic growth and political stability. India’s economy is poised to take off with a consistent GDP growth of six per cent and a population growth rate that has reduced to 1.3 per cent. According to the Indian Planning Commission, poverty has declined by 10 per cent both in the rural and urban areas. India’s imports and exports as a share of its economy have increased from 13 to 23 per cent in the last decade. Foreign direct investment is increasing at a phenomenal rate. India’s software exports are growing at a rate of 50 per cent per year, thanks to its expanding information technology workforce. Almost $9 billion investment has been made in 2005 by major international conglomerates Microsoft, Intel Corp. and Cisco Systems.

India is today the world’s fastest growing major mobile phone market, with 72 million mobile users. A recent Goldman Sachs study has predicted that in 10 years India’s economy would be larger than Italy’s and in 15 years, it would have overtaken that of Britain’s. In the next 40 years, India’s per capita income will increase 35 times. The explosion of technical research schools with international standards have fuelled the economic miracle. In 2005 India produced 200,000 engineering graduates, three times as many as the US and twice as many as the whole of Europe. Last year, India enrolled 450,000 students for the four year engineering degree courses.

These developments have given Indian leadership an unprecedented confidence in the country’s future and its capacity to play an influential role on the world stage. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his enunciation of India’s foreign policy on February 25, 2005, stressed India’s “inclusive, open, multiethnic and multilingual society” that was “ready to defend these values abroad”. Business and commerce were identified as the anchor of relations with Europe and the US, and in the neighbourhood, the policy of ‘look East’ became the driving force of forging close relations with China, Japan and Asean.

The most impressive breakthrough has been made in its ties with the US. Manmohan Singh’s Washington visit in July last year was a watershed in bilateral relations. The joint statement spelled out the landmark nature of the visit with unprecedented cooperation in the spheres of economy, technology, energy and defence. The two leaders agreed on a wide-ranging cooperation as “global partners” building on “their common values and mutual visions and joint objectives as strong longstanding democracies”, taking their relations to a qualitatively unprecedented higher plane.

The centrepiece of US-India strategic ties is the agreement signed during President Bush’s visit under which the US agreed to accord India the “same benefits and advantages as other nuclear states”, indirectly recognizing India as a nuclear weapon state. In return India would identify and separate civilian and nuclear facilities in a phased manner, and voluntarily place its civilian facilities under IAEA safeguards.

The Bush visit covered an ambitious agenda, the areas of cooperation included energy, agriculture, science and technology, health and environment, befitting a “strategic partnership” built upon, in the words of President Bush, “our common values, our two democracies, respect for religious pluralism and the rule of law.” The US shift towards India reflects the US belief that as an emerging Asian superpower India may serve as a counterweight to China, though it has been expressed in terms of “our common principles and shared national interests. “

Besides its geo-strategic importance, India has been discovered as an important investment destination with good prospects for major US multinationals particularly in IT. Microsoft committed $400 million in 2002 and $1.7 billion last year. US exports to India have increased by 30 per cent annually. Two-way trade is now in excess of $26 billion, up by 88 per cent since 2000.

Politically, India’s clout and influence in the US has increased phenomenally during the last few years. The Indian caucus in the US Congress has 120 members in a house of 435. There are two million Indians living in America and about 80,000 Americans in India, mostly working for US firms doing business there.

The transformation of Sino-India relations is equally dramatic. Relations between the two nations had been characterized by mutual suspicion and hostility since the last many decades. Since the India-China war of 1962 relations remained cool until 1988, when after a lapse of 25 years Rajiv Gandhi paid a visit to Beijing. However, the real breakthrough came in April 2005, when Chinese premier Wen Jiabao visited Delhi.

In a rare display of flexibility and pragmatism, India decided to move forward and agreed to “meaningful and mutually acceptable adjustments” on the border issue. The joint working groups have been asked to settle the issue in a spirit of “friendship and cooperation”. It was also decided to increase the present level of $14 billion trade. India decided to designate 2006 as the “year of friendship with China”. Another potential area of cooperation is in joint biddings for energy resources to eliminate competition as both desperately need energy resources to meet their ever-increasing requirements for their expanding economies.

India’s growing interest and involvement in South East Asia, reflected in its membership of Asean Regional Forum and as a dialogue partner of Saarc, is a manifestation of its ‘look East’ policy to widen the scope of its economic and political interests in the region. India also looks upon East Asia to expand its navy’s blue water capability.

Russia has been a traditional friend and trusted partner since the early years of Indian independence. It had close political and strategic relations with India. These relations flowered in all directions during the Soviet Union days, also because Indian relations with the US in those Cold War days were limited in scope.

India has joint defence projects with Russia for manufacturing SU-30 fighter jets and T-90 tanks and Brahmos anti-ship missiles. India is also considering investment in energy sector, particularly oil explorations in Siberia and Sakhalin-3. Other agreements signed allow India the use of the Russian navigation system made up of 14 satellites, known as Glonass. India has also entered into negotiations with Russia for the supply of four nuclear reactors of 1000 MW each for its Koondun Kalam power plant.

Moscow and Delhi have also agreed to hold their joint military and naval exercises every year and the 1996 defence pact has been upgraded, to permit the sale of nuclear reactors, after the Nuclear Suppliers Group has cleared the US deal. Russia supported India’s bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council and favours its request for permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization — a regional grouping of Central Asian states, Russia and China.

Relations with France received a major boost during President Jacques Chirac’s visit (Feb 19, 2006). A number of agreements were signed, including one on defence cooperation and the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The French president’s visit after seven years is being regarded as an extremely important event. Chirac was accompanied by five key cabinet ministers and 30 CEOs of major French companies.

To give political substance to its ambitions, India, which is emerging as a global power, is working hard to get a permanent berth on UNSC and joining the G-8, to establish its credentials as a big power. According to US under Secretary Nicholas Burns, “India is a rising economic confluence of power in the international system. It is emerging as a potentially very stabilizing and positive force in international politics. India is a rising global power. Within the first quarter of this century, it is likely to be numbered among the world’s largest economies. It will soon be the world’s most populous nation and it has a demographic structure that bequeaths it a huge, skilled and youthful workforce.”

The growing partnership between the US and India, in the years to come, will bear a very critical influence on the region. While critics are sceptical of the nuclear deal going through there are strong US economic interests that will eventually prevail. Regardless of the outcome of the nuclear deal, mutual stakes will continue to grow. It was not without reason that Manmohan Singh exulted at the joint press conference with Bush on March 2, “We have made history today.”

The writer is a former ambassador

__________________
My ALLAH it is enough for my respect that I m "Your" person & it is enough for my pride that "You" are my GOD."You" are exactly the way I desire.Thus please mould me the way "You" desire.

These type of articles lead me to 'inferiority complex'. I don't know why do they not put some light on the bulk of problems that India is facing today. They are all advertising it as a super power, which according to my estimates will take more than 50 years only to reach the economic level of US, if US stands still at its status-quo today.

Regards,

__________________
"The race is not over because I haven't won yet."

Adil Memon
Police Service of Pakistan (P.S.P)
37th Common Training Program

Salam,
@Adil
They are all advertising it as a super power,

Zuban-e-hulq ko niqara-e- Huda Samjoo........

No doubt India has also problems like poverty,population etc but in the eyes of world its value is increasing day by day...becoz of its foreign policies.

with regards,
Muskan

__________________
My ALLAH it is enough for my respect that I m "Your" person & it is enough for my pride that "You" are my GOD."You" are exactly the way I desire.Thus please mould me the way "You" desire.

A short list of problems:

1) Illiteracy
2) Population
3) Poverty (India has more poor than Pakistan's population)
4) It's moth-eaten infrastructure
5) Its border disputes with Pakistan and China
6) It's areas like Andhra Pradesh. I heard government's writ doesn't prevail over it.
7) Maoist rebels
8) Social problems (female infanticide, dowry etc.)
9) Religious Extremism (India has diverse communities. And people won't believe me when I tell them that India is more prone to religious extremism than Pakistan. RSS is enough to create hell for them!)
10) Corruption
11) Environmental pollution
12) Energy and power
13) Low per capita income
14) Brain-drain
15) Natural hazards (earthquake, tsunamis etc.)
16) Lack of safe drinking water
17) Health (specially HIV)
18) Foreign Debts
19) Unemployment

and many more that I can't recall right now...

India has some very heinous problems that Pakistan does not have. Pakistan has the potential to grow. Ayub exploited it right, had he worked on 'trickle-down-effect' we would have crossed India by now.

For India, I would like to wait and see it becoming a super-power in my life time

Regards,

__________________
"The race is not over because I haven't won yet."

Adil Memon
Police Service of Pakistan (P.S.P)
37th Common Training Program

Lets wait & see.........

Anyways feeling good to know that India has same problems as our own beloved country has..... Only the former has upper hand in this sense that its army is at its borders to give tough time to Pakistan & China & not interupting government again & again....
As far as sectarian problem is concerened....In India,there are people who belong to different religions so their extremism is sensable..but we followers of Islam (Religion of peace) ,living in a country based on islamic ideology but are divided in many sects....

regards,
Muskan

__________________
My ALLAH it is enough for my respect that I m "Your" person & it is enough for my pride that "You" are my GOD."You" are exactly the way I desire.Thus please mould me the way "You" desire.

yeah all of you are right that India have number of problems but because of thier strong foreign policy and one the strong democracy in the world they are heading towards the progress "as din dungne rat chugne". That's what is the point to be noted. that's all.

Salaam,

All my brothers and sisters seem to have a very rosy picture of Indian Democracy. That's what I call the power of media. This is a subtle attempt to change your views.

People are often confused with the statement: "India is the biggest democracy in the world."

The word biggest according to me, indicates the size of its population that has a democratic set-up. The word doesn't imply its efficiency at all. We all in Pakistan think of India as a wonderland.

However, It is much different from a democracy in, let us say, America where a big hospital could be sued for making the slightest mistake in someone's treatment. It could be forced by the court to pay a huge compensation within no time. It will spoil the reputation of the hospital. I wonder something like that happening in India.

Democracy isn't just holding elections fair and freely. It has a lots of characteristics that follow. [Democracy is not a perfect system. It has its flaws as well. I will try to discuss this topic after some time.]

Some are:
1) Rule of law
2) Freedom of speech
3) Fundamental rights

1) Rule of Law & Equality:

It means, law is the supreme authority in the land. Everyone is equal under it. The ruler and the ruled are treated in the same manner. I do not think that the situation in Pakistan and India is much different from each other.

As far as this feature is concerned, I can mention the name of the honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, the master mind behind the Gujrat carnage. Equality means everybody is equal before law. But you guys would be surprised to know that this guy has been immune from any punishment for the heinous crime he committed [notwithstanding it is widely known]. He is in the patronage of none other than the evil monsters of RSS.

For further light on Indian political system, I am copying a letter written to dawn by an Indian:

2) Freedom of Speech:
Since the moment this feature has been introduced by Pervaiz Musharraf in a dictatorship in Pakistan I don't think this point needs any emphasis. It's not a result of wisdom prevailing over Pervaiz Musharraf, but just due to the fact that he doesn't read the newspapers and doesn't care about anyone saying anything. He plays according to his discretion and that's what is more concerned to him. [Pakistan ke kuch citizens is baat per barey khush hain. Kuch din pehley aik aise hi bewakoof ka letter dawn mein parha thaa]

3) Guarantee of fundamental rights:
The situation in Pakistan and India regarding this feature isn't different as well. We have human rights violations, so has India [kashmir]. Common man is persecuted in Pakistan and so happens in India. For further information, watch any Indian movie. They display a true picture of their societies. Had it been a utopian land, the electronic media couldn't have portrayed the societies the way it does. They are showing what they are experiencing.

I have often noticed that on the last page of dawn, there is always a news of some people dying in Kashmir at the hands of Indian security forces.

For more information on Indian Democracy try to percept the following article.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/15/op.htm#3

by Kuldip Nayar. He is well known for his pro-India stance. But you'll understand what I am trying to tell you.

Now regarding India's status as a super power.

India today has the following achievements:
1) Consistent and Steady economic growth over a long period.
2) Rapid industrialization.
3) Trained workforce specially that of IT. [which is a small proportion of its enormous population]
4) MIT [established with the help of US]

For point number one, it's no big deal. We had a wonderful growth rate all along the golden period of Ayub Khan.

For point number two, we are also moving in the same direction.

For number three, we have a population of approx. 1/6th of India. Comparatively India produces more trained and skillful labour than that of Pakistan. India has been successful to outsource them, where Pakistan has failed, largely due to it being branded as an extremist country. Also, education sector in India is more developed than that in Pakistan.

4) If US co-operates with Pakistan in establishing such an institution, I am sure Pakistan can produce better manpower and human resource than produced in India. Indian citizens have not fallen from the heavens. They are humans like us.

The brothers and sisters here have complained about Army intrusions into politics which is not remarkable in India. Well, I agree, that's true. Army has been a bane of this country. Yet, even if India is a democracy, it is not so different from us, as the letter-writer suggests. Also add Brother Karrar's comments who said according to Transparency International, Indian Politicians are the most corrupt politicians in the world.

Democracy along with its blessings has its side-effects as well. Even a dictatorship can progress well if given a sense of direction e.g. China with an annual consistent growth rate of 10%.

Regards,

PS: Miss Ghuman, I noticed today that according to you the international value of India is increasing due to its Foreign Policies. I disregard this statement. How could a foreign policy play any role in increasing the value of any country?

Publicity to Pakistan and India are provided by US. When US needs Pakistan, Pakistan makes way to the headlines of international media. Today US needs India, so we're being fed with headlines like "India - future super-power".

US will not let any other super power rise up that easily. It has already started its activities to contain China. India won't stand a chance.

Both these so-called Asian Giants need decades [only if US slips to slumber, which is highly unlikely].

__________________
"The race is not over because I haven't won yet."

Adil Memon
Police Service of Pakistan (P.S.P)
37th Common Training Program

@ Mr. Memon
Salam,

All my brothers and sisters seem to have a very rosy picture of Indian Democracy. That's what I call the power of media. This is a subtle attempt to change your views.

Media plays an important role in the development of any country & India has a very powerful media. Through their media they are not only gaining political benefits but also spreading their culture & no doubt almost every Pakistani knows Indian culture, their rituals, festivals & even names of their gods, rather than his/her own culture…this is the greatest achievement of India, they are conquering minds. And dear this world is world of media mostly people believe what is said by the media…. India has achieved a prominent status in the world because of its media’s propaganda, in any part of the world Indians are respected & are seen with due reverence. May be Indian prosperity is just a propaganda of it’s media but this powerful campaign is changing views of people all over the world…We are far behind in this aspect.

Democracy isn't just holding elections fair and freely. It has a lots of characteristics that follow.

Correct they are not fulfilling all the characteristics of Democracy but at least basic requirement is fulfilled i.e. free & fair elections, their leaders are not dictators but elected by their own masses. & This thing improves India’s image.

1) Rule of Law & Equality:
I do not think that the situation in Pakistan and India is much different from each other.

I am agreed…. to whole analysis under this heading.

2) Freedom of Speech:

What is “Freedom of speech” in our own country we know very well, but we should admit this thing that Indians are trying their best to fulfill this characteristic…. during the visit of Bush their masses were not ill treated…. They were free to give vent to their sentiments; no procession against USA or Bush was banned or stopped. May be this was just a show to prove that they believe in freedom of speech but no doubt campaign was successful & have improved India’s image.

) Guarantee of fundamental rights:
The situation in Pakistan and India regarding this feature isn't different as well. We have human rights violations, so has India [kashmir]. Common man is persecuted in Pakistan and so happens in India. For further information, watch any Indian movie. They display a true picture of their societies. Had it been a utopian land, the electronic media couldn't have portrayed the societies the way it does. They are showing what they are experiencing.

Rightly said…. Fully agree with you.


1) Consistent and Steady economic growth over a long period.
, it's no big deal. We had a wonderful growth rate all along the golden period of Ayub Khan.

We “had” but they “have”…...

, 2) Rapid industrialization
we are also moving in the same direction.

Agree…

Comparatively India produces more trained and skillful labour than that of Pakistan. India has been successful to outsource them, where Pakistan has failed, largely due to it being branded as an extremist country. Also, education sector in India is more developed than that in Pakistan.

Well said…
Education plays an important role in the development of any country & Indians are no doubt well educated than we; & this high education improving India’s image. Difference of education can be seen, through the interviews of Indian cricket captain Rahol Dravid & our own skipper Inzmam-ul-Haq, both are representatives of their respective countries…..

4) If US co-operates with Pakistan in establishing such an institution, I am sure Pakistan can produce better manpower and human resource than produced in India. Indian citizens have not fallen from the heavens. They are humans like us.

If…..

, Indian Politicians are the most corrupt politicians in the world.

Like our politicians…...

Democracy along with its blessings has its side-effects as well. Even a dictatorship can progress well if given a sense of direction

Side effects of Democracy are far less than its blessings… Ya dictatorship can progress well but “IF” given a sense of direction….

Miss Ghuman, I noticed today that according to you the international value of India is increasing due to its Foreign Policies. I disregard this statement. How could a foreign policy play any role in increasing the value of any country?
Publicity to Pakistan and India are provided by US. When US needs Pakistan, Pakistan makes way to the headlines of international media. Today US needs India, so we're being fed with headlines like "India - future super-power".

India’s relations to all the big powers like Russia, Germany & France are too good & now USA is also in the list…these good relations improve its value, India’s policy in these relations is give & take. No doubt India is in the headlines because Us needs it …but give & take policy can be observed in the relation of US/India also, at the initial stage of relations India has signed N.deal with Us, which is a big achievement on India’s part...not like us who are indulged in a love labor, killing our own innocent people but in response…..

US will not let any other super power rise up that easily. It has already started its activities to contain China. India won't stand a chance.

USA wants to use India against China…although it will keep any trump card in its hand yet will try best to rise India as a power…

We all in Pakistan think of India as a wonderland.

Allhumdolilla we all Pakistani love our own country & know very well that India is not a wonderland at all…but it is healthy practice not only criticize others but also see our own faults, we should take good traits of our enemy as a spur to move ahead…

Regards,
Muskan

__________________
My ALLAH it is enough for my respect that I m "Your" person & it is enough for my pride that "You" are my GOD."You" are exactly the way I desire.Thus please mould me the way "You" desire.

MADAME - Salaam,


I agree with your definitions of Media. The point I was trying to emphasize is that we are also falling prey to their dumb rhetorics.

Please read the essay by Naveed in Essay Competition thread. He has discussed some aspects you would like to read. Also, he discusses the thoughts of Indian analysts that agree with me that 'India has yet to travel a long way to become a super-power'.

A few months back I saw a copy of the front page of Narendra Modi's passport who had been denied visa by US or EU. A large red coloured wor 'cancelled' was marked on his passport. That page was widely published in our local newspapers. Indian politicians are no different than ours. If our leaders are frisked at the airports, India's politicians have also been found guilty in oil-for-food scam. India's FM was divested of his portfolio recently. They are no prophets. Does Laloo Prasad Yadav, seem to be one?

Through their dramas and movies, they have indeed conquered people's mind. But I don't think that it is going to get them any political benefit. Though their film industry brings them a lot of money. Their movies are watched world-wide. I accept this achievement - which I priorly missed to mention in the list.

Agreed. But at the end, their social and economic position is no different than ours. Regarding the image problem, it's due to western propaganda of terrorism. Now every muslim in this world is a terrorist. India has escaped any such harassment.

For India, it should not count much. Press Freedom is as infirm in India as in Pakistan. Though in India people have the opportunity to vent their anger through electing others into power. [Yet, democracy in India is the tyranny of the majority (Hindus)]. And leaders never go against the majority's aspirations.

Agreed. However since 2002, we've also had some good growth rate. We achieved 8.4 in 2004-2005. I am sure the figure will be around 6.0 - 6.5% in 2005-2006 [this is the growth rate that India has maintained steadily]. And such a growth rate isn't that bad. We have some economic structural faults, for which we do not have any competitive leadership to make through. We'll have to wait for some other saviour.

Agreed. For the cricketers, I am sure the government can dispense off some cash for their English Language Training. After all they represent us.

We always had/have good relations with US during military regimes. Dictators are more concerned with their chair at the helm and are always busy in securing it. They do not negotiate with America on equal basis, hence, they fail to elicit some concessions like that India has. Civilian government haven't been so palatable for America.

Unluckily. But politicians in Super power countries aren't like that .

Why dont' you stand in the elections? I will vote you!

Good relations and give and take policy of a country does not help any country becoming a super power. China has struck its economic weapon to every western country. It does not have good ties with any powerful country except Russia.

Its products have swarmed all over the world. And the western countries are soooooo frustrated, but, unluckily they can not even shout. Because it's globalization, WTO, their own propounded ideas.

Further the future of US-Indo nuclear deal is quite uncertain right now. US is tending to change the basic agreement to enroach upon India, which is indigestible to India. Let's see what happens.

That's only if India serves any purpose to US. US will never tolerate any threat to its unilateralism. And it is also a known fact that whenever US makes good ties with a country, they are temporary, self-centered and result in US involvement in the political affairs of the country. India will not be ready for that and US can not do without it.

Agreed. There is no problem in learning from enemies, but extolling enemies is.

Regards,

__________________
"The race is not over because I haven't won yet."

Adil Memon
Police Service of Pakistan (P.S.P)
37th Common Training Program