Around the world with Modi in 300 days

The wizened eyes behind the moon-rimmed glasses of a man with neatly trimmed white beard and words flowing like that of a preacher was sworn in as India’s 15th PM at the colonial-era presidential mansion of Delhi in the presence of all South Asian leaders flocked round him. Soon he would be seen re-sketching India’s global image in the international arena.

When Narendra Modi took up office as India’s Prime Minister last year, the message was very loud and clear.

The strong mandate he got from the people gave him the absolute leverage to suppress political dissent from any national party within India. Earlier, the regional parties had strangled the Sonia-Manmohan government when it came to taking a call on world affairs.

After nearly 10 months in office, Modi has made seven foreign trips and three out of them were in Asian countries following his neighbourhood first and act east policy.

He has played the Russia-China and the US-Japan card very sensibly by devising a proper mix of economic and strategic ties.

However, 2015 is looked upon as an important year as India’s neighbours undergo political and ideological shifts with the withdrawal of US NATO troops from Afghanistan and the challenges of governance in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

In the next month, Modi will embark on a journey to the Indian Ocean island nations of Maldives, Mauritus and Sri Lanka. As the Indian Ocean becomes a major geo-political hub, India has more reasons to engage with the aim of developing its maritime security edging over China.

Maldives is in the midst of a political turmoil where the state’s first democratically elected President Mohamed Nasheed was manhandled by the police in public. India’s worries knew no bounds when it saw one of its close friends Nasheed being mistreated.

“We will not take instructions from a foreign government,” was Maldivian Foreign minister, Dunya Maumoon’s reply to India’s worries. The growing alienation of the island nation gives away India’s hold in the Indian Ocean to its rival China.

 

Modi has already shown keen interest in finalising the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with Bangladesh and solving the contentious Teesta water dispute after getting West Bengal supremo Mamata Bannerjee, who has been a major opponent of such a measure, by his side. This will be seen as a big step forward before Modi visits Bangla later this year.

Modi knows that Sheikh Hasina’s problem of tackling the Khaleda Zia led Bangladesh National Party and Jamat alliance is his problem too. Afterall, New Delhi needs an India-friendly government which it finds in Hasina. Other alternatives can only signal worries for India.

Then Modi goes to Europe in search of greener pastures in Germany and France on April. Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe.

Modi’s visit to Germany coincides with the Hannover Messi Fair where India will be the partner country as well. The fair focuses on a new-era industrial revolution marked by internet and smart communication based technologies.

As Merkel is expected to visit India later this year, their main agenda would be to firm up economic ties and capital required to make Modi’s pet initiative of ‘Make in India’ campaign a success.

One can expect a strong bond fostering economic ties between the two nations with Germany already investing Rs.21crore for the rejuvenation of Ganga and in other pet projects of Modi like ‘Make in India.’

Modi’s visit to France would revolve round combating terrorism and energy sharing.

The PM’s diplomatic skills would be put to a test when he visits China on May. Although improving connectivity and trade would be the key points of the bi-lateral meet, there remain many irritants on the way.

The conflicting perceptions from both camps on either side of the Line of Actual Control and unresolved boundary issues still remains a major hindrance to Ind-China relations till date.

Sino-Pak axis and China’s proximity to India’s close neighbours are also a matter of concern. Also, the widening trade deficit with China is also worrisome to India.

All in all, Modi’s drive to pose India as a competitive and steady economy has already caught the attention of big foreign leaders after half a decade of lull.

However in order to sustain Modi’s dream foreign run, he has to back it up by a strong domestic policy. He also has to ensure that he delivers on the various promises he has given to the world leaders in terms of investments and amidst myriad of problems that exists already within his country.