Not long back India was characterized as a country of poor people, snake charmers, saints, and the holy places among other things. Today there is drastic change in that point of view. This is a combined result of good economics, free press, democratic process in place and mostly secular environment.
Now Mr. Obama is visiting and there is mixed air of anticipation. Some say he is no good for us, based on previous experience. Others feel he can do wonders! Howsoever difficult it might be to digest but the realty is that this is a unipolar world with U.S. being in driver’s seat for a long, long time to come.
The rise of India is well chronicled these days. The progress made in Infrastructure, agriculture, managing the foreign exchange reserve is good. There is scope for the improvement. But the situation is better than a time in 1991 when there was a need to use gold reserves for meeting the need of the hour. This along with fact that we are strong and one of the largest democracies, one sixth of the human race on planet earth, strategically located in an important place in South Asia increases the importance.
On the flip-side there are long-standing issues such as J & K problem, Naxalism and Inflation to be resolved.
There are two most important relationships, which will play a significant role in shaping the stature of India on world stage. Those are Indo-Pak and Sino-Indian relationships. These are the problems of nearly 60 years that are sooner solved the better. Obviously this will require a lot of good statesmanship and leadership measures on part of India leaders.
The boundary problem with China is moving towards the solution very, very slowly but steadily. Again this will require good and mature thinking on part of both the countries. The relationship of India with China is of special significance because ultimately this involves two competitors- dragon (China) and the elephant (India). Whether this turns out to be not competition but co-operation and possible collaboration from economic and trade point of view between two countries is something to watch out for in forthcoming 15 years.
India-Russia relationship and India-Japan relationship are also important for the fact that Russia is considered as our friend from last 50-odd years. The defense, trade, support at U.N. are important factors in case of Russia. In case of the other the attitude of Japan towards India was not encouraging in past. But the new Prime Minister of Japan has high hopes for transforming the India-Japan relationship. Recent visit of PM Manmohan Singh was very positive.
All in all, forthcoming years will play a crucial role in the process of emergence of India as a responsible Nuclear Power, as fastest growing economy and a true world power. We will hope for the best.
