All of us wish India becomes super power sooner than latter. We are surrounded by more enemies than friends. We face more and more external as well as internal threats.
On External fronts, China-Pakistan strong bonds is the biggest one. In Pakistan. the traditional political leadership is lost the ground to anti-India radical elements. And days are not far off when a terrorist like Hafiz Saeed will be Ayatollah Khomeini of the Pakistan. In that event apart from a perpetual threat of a nuclear war, what we see today in Kashmir, will see the whole over India. The only Hindu country Nepal is gradually drifting towards China. And Sri Lanka is also falling in Dragon trap with liberal aids.
India has been isolated by China by including Afghanistan in its grand design of extending China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The 1,300-km corridor is seen as a direct threat t India's sovereignty. New Delhi has continuously opposed the project since it passes through the Pakistan-occupied
Kashmiri territory of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is perceived to be an alternative economic road link for the Kashmir Valley lying on the Indian side of the border. A well-connected Gilgit-Baltistan that attracts industrial development and foreign investment, if CPEC proves a success, will further consolidate the region’s perception as internationally recognised Pakistani territory, diminishing India’s claim over the 73,000 sqkm piece of land.
There are also strong apprehensions that once the corridor gets going, China will be able to arm twist India more severely. n contemporary World, economic power matters .Major US ports on the East Coast depend on the Panama Canal to trade with China. Once CPEC becomes fully functional, China will be in a position to offer a ‘shorter and more economical’ trade route (avoiding travel through the entire Western Hemisphere) to most North and Latin American enterprises. This will give China the power to dictate the terms by which the international movement of goods will take place between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.
India, with over 60% of its oil supplies passing through the Strait, mainly from Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq, will be no exception. CPEC will enable China to control over vast chunk of trade via Sea.
Major US ports on the East Coast depend on the Panama Canal to trade with China. Once CPEC becomes fully functional, China will be in a position to offer a ‘shorter and more economical’ trade route to most North and Latin American enterprises. This will give China the power to dictate the terms by which the international movement of goods will take place between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. That's India's greatest worry.
External threats aside, there are damning internal problems. And foremost among them are the increasing cult of "intolerance". The situation has become worse after saffron party came to power and now ruling at center as well as in 19 states. The rise of caste and religious pressure groups is threatening the very socio-politico fabric of the country. India has been a nation of " diversities" and has survived by its strong Unity in diversities'. but, over the years, the "diversities' are being torn apart.
All these happenings do not bid well for a strong and prosper India. Let us make a New Year resolve. We do our best to contribute our's mite. Wish my county men a happy and prosper New Year.
Chander Sharma