Page 14 - The Indian EYE 042222

Op-ED APRIL 22, 2022 | The Indian Eye 14

A chaotic world needs a

stable India-US partnership

Views and opinions from the top commentators in Indian media

omments made by all par- Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually interacts with u.S President Joe Biden (ANI)
ticipants during the recently
Cconcluded 2+2 Ministerial the asian Challenge tech tussle despot, lauh-purush, neo-czar, Second
Dialogue in Washington DC suggest Stalin, hriday samrat of the Russians
both a growing understanding of he Biden administration is ndia is adamant about building up
each other’s positions on Ukraine now doubling down on India its technological independence, — but it is now clear that there is go-
ing to be no happy ending to the story
and an ability to skirt around con- Tto roll back its ties with Russia Iwith $10 billion earmarked to de- of the man who rules Russia. More
tentious issues and concentrate on as well. velop semiconductor and display man- importantly, it is clear that the longer
areas of convergence such as the That becomes a fault line in the ufacturing. It’s also keen to assert its Putin has been allowed to stay in pow-
enduring defense cooperation and U.S.-Indian strategic partnership. foreign-policy independence by lean- er, the more toxic he has become, his
emerging technology verticals of What must be particularly galling ing toward Moscow to the consterna- ability to inflict misery upon millions
which the Space Situational Aware- for Washington is the likelihood of tion of Washington. New Delhi would growing with each year that he has
ness initiative is particularly wel- India pursuing its trade and econom- do well to see the connection between had his hands on the controlling levers
come. ic cooperation with Russia in local these two issues and consider its next of one of the most powerful countries
The frankness with which both currencies. Indeed, China and India course of action. Some of the decisions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and have also taken a somewhat similar Some of the decisions made by in the world. Critically, what concerns
all of us is not so much what ignomin-
President Joe Biden expressed their stance on the Ukraine crisis. China and India over Russia’s invasion ious and humiliating end his rule will
views augurs well for the irrevers- Given the size of the Chinese of Ukraine have caused disappoint- meet but how much further damage
ible and steady upward trajectory of economy and the high potential for ment, Brian Deese, the director of this deranged man will inflict upon the
the relationship, even as India has growth of the Indian economy, the the White House National Economic world (and not least on his own peo-
demonstrated that it is not oblivious inclination of both these countries to Council, said Wednesday. India has ple) before he goes.
to the ethical and humanitarian di- bypass the dollar would be a trend- been told that the consequences of a A look at Putin’s biography and ca-
mension of the ongoing conflict in setter for other countries. “Russia, clearer alignment with Moscow could reer is instructive. As a young man, Pu-
Ukraine. hit by Western sanctions, has called be “significant and long-term,” he said. tin entered the cadre of an organization
Some commentators argue that on the BRICS group of emerging India’s decision to abstain from
with its eastward push into the East economies to extend the use of na- a United Nations vote condemning where unquestioning loyalty, cunning
and ruthlessness are valued above all
European heartland to contest a tional currencies and integrate pay- Russian President Vladimir Putin’s in- else, where basic human empathy, prin-
perceived Russian resurgence, the ment systems,” said the Russian Fi- vasion of Ukraine doesn’t sit well with
West led by the US has committed nance Ministry. the U.S. or its many allies. And while ciples, ethics, adherence to truth and
suchlike are drilled out of any young
needless energy and resources and Suffice to say, the “weapon- that vote was purely symbolic, so was recruit. Rising through the KGB, Pu-
taken its eyes off the ‘Chinese ball’. ized dollar” and the West’s abrasive New Delhi’s abstention. tin’s skills, stamina and luck combined
They argue that this preoccupa- move to freeze Russia’s reserves
tion of the US and Nato with Russia sends a chill down the spine of most --Tim Culpan, The Quint to send him swirling higher and higher
in the power structure of his country.
has provoked the already weakened developing countries. Nepal caved a small Man? -- Ruchir Joshi, The Telegraph (India)
and fearful Russian bear to come in to ratify the Millennium Chal- There are several lessons to be
out of its lair and defend its per- lenge Corporation agreement fol- learnt from watching the tragic blood-
ceived national interests and honor lowing a threat by a middle-ranking Every week, we look at what the top
in a typical Thucydidean playbook. U.S. official. shed and destruction in Ukraine. The commentators in the Indian media are
most important one for us in India has talking about and bring to you a slice
--Arun Subramaniam, -- M K Bhadrakumar, to do with Vladimir Putin. Label him of their opinions and comments
The Times of India The Print what you will — strongman, dictator,

www.TheIndianEYE.com