Thought for the day
"He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend;
provided, of course, he really is dead."
-
Voltaire (French, 1694-1778)
Word for the day
Gravitas (n)
High seriousness (as in a person's bearing or in the
treatment of a subject).
(Source:
Dictionary.com)
Teaser for the day
Does MSY seriously believe that he can
keep people in dark by not providing them free laptops?
For the fear of Viking age - II
Ever wondered why the leaders from most developed countries in
Americas, Europe and Pacific rim are embracing PM Narendra Modi so tightly;
especially in light of the fact that he was a persona non grata in many
of these countries, including USA, just a year back!
Is it his oratory skills; his charming and warm persona; his
popularity; command over a market of 1.25bn, or something else? I guess it is
his receptiveness and responsiveness to the world leaders.
Even a casual study of Indian foreign relations in past few
decades will highlight that the reception PM Narendra Modi is getting is not
unprecedented. In past Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vaypayee and
Manmohan Singh have all got such receptions. They were perhaps just not as
responsive.
Indira Gandhi could not stay non-aligned in cold war; Rajiv
Gandhi was too naive and got overwhelmed by poor economic conditions & internal
politics; Atal Bihari Vajpayee exploded the Bomb and thus created an
environment of mistrust with western powers; and Manmohan Singh was perhaps
just too reluctant, reclusive and underwhelming.
Narendra Modi is experienced, free, confident, non-aligned and
appears focused solely on economic agenda. The fact that Indian Diaspora in
many developed countries has become increasingly prosperous and influential in
their local context, also goes in favor of PM Modi. That is why he seems to be
getting warm and positive vibes from many politicians.
But the moot point is why global leaders are looking keen to
strengthen their relations with India, despite serious disappointment and
setbacks in past few decades.
The transiting economic and market paradigms, I mentioned yesterday,
perhaps would also provide answer to this inquisition.
In my view, demographics are playing a major role in the shift
of the economic and market context this time. Most developed and even large
developing countries are struggling with demographic imbalances presently. The
problem is particularly severe in Europe and Japan.
In Europe on one hand population is aging fast and thus
straining the fiscal and economic growth (pension, healthcare, lower income
growth, low taxes and lower consumption); on the hand there is mounting concern
over change in socio-religious structure of the population (see here).
In my view, it is not long when we will see radical and dramatic
changes in immigration policies of many European and pacific rim countries, if
not for anything else - for the fear of return of Viking age.
India, which has the largest pool of educated & skilled
young English speaking people, is therefore naturally seen as the major partner
in bringing the desired demographic changes....to continue
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