Author: Tarun Das
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 24, 2004
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/archive_full_story.php?content_id=41675
Introduction: In six years India's
dreams have been transformed into possibilities
Six years. 1998-2004. A short span
of time in a nation's life. A person's life. And yet, these six years have
seen the re- positioning of India as never before. How has this happened?
Who was the driver? Was it a central agenda, coordinated and controlled,
or ad hoc with a great deal of luck? To understand the happenings of these
six years, it is necessary to look at what has changed.
First, in spite of, or because of,
the nuclear tests, India engaged the world as never before. Gone was the
early policy of non-alignment (except as a nameplate), suspicion and insecurity.
Very quickly, India learned to, and did, communicate with the world, especially
the G- 7. Relationship- building became the order of the day through the
system of regular, structured communication. A classic example was the
India-US dialogue which helped change bilateral relations steadily and
quite deeply. Brought new levels of trust and understanding through the
teams spending quality time together.
Second, there was a strategy and
a focus. G-1 (US), EU, G-7, Russia, China, Asean, Brazil, South Africa,
Japan and so on. Each country and region was targeted. Prime ministerial
visits were organised. Business delegations always in tow. These visits
helped bridge gaps, cross barriers and evolve new friendships. The India-Asean
summits. The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) trilateral. The India-EU
summit. New structures. New paradigms.
Third, the approach was clearly
long term. How to build a lasting dialogue, friendship and relationship.
Not focusing on immediate problems and their resolution. These became by-products
of the mainstream of a longer term approach. This has been a framework
which has served India well and, in fact, has been advantageous to others.
No more the compulsion to resolve pending issues first before moving on
to other work. Conversely leave pending issues aside; find areas of agreement
and build on these. Especially, economic.
Fourth, no "begging". No pleading.
No asking for anything. And, certainly, not asking for more! In fact, it
has been the opposite. Debts have been prepaid. Inward aid programmes reviewed
and discontinued. A policy based on self- respect and strength. A change
from the past dependency on others rather than self. A change to finding
solutions internally.
Fifth, clarity of thought, of word
and of deed. An absence of confused, mixed-up idealistic thinking. An understanding
of the realities of the world outside, of India inside and of approaches
to different issues of bilateral or multilateral concern, keeping India's
national interest upfront just as other countries do. A new learning. A
new approach.
Sixth, an understanding of history
and geography. An appreciation of what has happened in the past and what
can happen today and tomorrow. The ability to look back and correlate it
with the future, analysing unique psychological and other factors of each
country and how India could relate, deal and negotiate.
Seventh, brevity. No grand eloquence.
Practicality in approach. Realism and few words. Avoiding unnecessary verbiage.
Say what we mean. Mean what we say. And be to the point. Manage expectations.
Keep these low. Avoid hype. Let the achievements speak. A huge difference
from eloquence, words, packaging and, often, little substance and content.
Now, a "yes" or a "no" is direct and clear. Black or white.
Eighth, speed of thought, decision,
response and action. After a long period of paper pushing and, of course,
this continues in many matters, there are key issues on which speed is
the norm. And rather than a defensive posturing there is a new environment
of offensive initiative wherever required. It comes from incisiveness of
thinking, use of data, study of detail and broader perspectives.
Ninth, an approach of "letting go".
Not "control". Not "regimentation". But, relaxing the tight reins and letting
the work flow, the process carry on, the dialogue be continuous. Space
and opportunity provided. And within that, trust for implementation of
broad policy directions.
There are two persons who have provided
the continuity. Two-three persons who struggled through ups and downs,
through differences with many, through changes in the team in the foreign
office. The prime minister, the national security adviser and the joint
secretary responsible for foreign policy in the PMO. And, quite closely
integrated, the National Security Council team. Others form part of the
team from the ministry of external affairs and the intelligence agencies
but the Three Musketeers are the core. And they have followed a vision
and strategy with steady determination. Each of the speeches of the prime
minister articulates the vision and parameters.
Today, as India stands near the
centre of the world stage of international affairs, and as India's economy
shows new impetus and growth, the trials and tribulations of the Three
Musketeers have borne amazing results. The prime minister as the leader,
the national security adviser as the strategist and the joint secretary
as the key input.
The history of India's foreign policy
has been rewritten and 1998-2004 has witnessed a transformation as never
before. Out of isolation, away from the corner of the world, into the centre
of global affairs, a new framework has emerged. And, clearly, while an
army has been at work, the commander-in-chief has been the prime minister
with a unique chief of staff - CEO, as corporates would say - the national
security adviser. Without doubt, the relationship of mutual trust between
the two has made the difference to India.
No writing on 1998-2004 can be complete
without reference to two other members of the leadership team. First, Jaswant
Singh, who led the engagement with the world, especially the US. He broke
new ground. He institutionalised the concept of dialogue. He had the confidence
to engage the world. Second, Yashwant Sinha, who in the last 18 months
has extended this concept to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America
and Africa. Quietly. Successfully. He has emerged as a steady, consistent
team member.
Whatever is done in the future in
regard to India's international relations, the years 1998-2004 will surely
be judged as the six years which witnessed real change in India's strategy
and India's relationships around the world.
