Kings of the East
(2/4)
Rajan Thomas,
Bahrain*
India, though has been slow in their rural developments, as she is
in her second half of the first century of independence, stands as a rapidly
developing nation. Bharat had been renowned for her intellectualism since time
past. Such intellectualism applied in the modern technology, especially in the
line of Information technology and telecommunications, made her to stand in the
frontline of developing nations. Today, western nations depend much on India's
blue chip cities for their IT developments. This trend was reflected when
President Clinton took time to visit Hyderabad, India's hub of blue chip, during
his visit to India.
Defense wise, the sub-continent has a very strategic position. As a
prominent member of the nuclear club since 1974, her Atomic defense power is so
strong towards which her neighbors always express unhappiness and interpret as
regional threat. However, her policies so far to utilize it for peaceful
missions are promising, yet America and Europe view India's such fast
developments in a bit suspicious manner. Moreover, the recent visit of Aerial
Sharon, the Israeli President, to New Delhi spreads waves of doubts. Israel in
the past offered to India services to curb its border problems created by
Pakistan.
China and India, the two giants of Asia, had several indifferences
out of painful injuries inflicted in their past relationship. The Indo-Sino war
staged in 1961 had been a violation of a peaceful pact and of a deceitful
confederacy in that India lost so much including the vigor ness of her tiger
statesman Jawharlal Nehru.
However, recent developments are promising towards a healthy
relationship between these giants of Asia. Diplomatic missions were reinstated
and signs of co-operation have been in view by the end of last millennium. Also
improved trade and travel, of course, as part of economic globalization.
China volunteered in proposing a 'Security Dialogue Mechanism" to
discuss regional strategic affairs as well as foreign policies to improve mutual
relationships. The motivation she had behind such proposal is to avoid America's
interference in the Continent.
Moreover, Russia also proposed for a Tri-nation confederation as
India and China at two sides and Russia in its apex. She desired the proposal as
a co-operation of 300 crores [3 billion] of people.
All
these developments declares the improvements in relationship between the two
once enemies, which would serve as an extra ingredient in the rise of Asia as a
superpower.
Thus, unified alignment of China's manpower, India's intellectual
potentialities and Japan's fast growing economy can very well pave way for Asia
to become an Eastern superpower.
Yes,
I agree with global political analysts such as Dr.P.C.Alexander "21st century
will become the century of Asia". [To be concluded]