Whither Pakistan?

"To be, or not to be"
This quote aptly summarises what Pakistan's "politicians" feel about their role. Elected representatives have never been able to have their say in Pakistan. They have almost always have had to roll back their decisions, especially in the context of Kashmir and India. Sometimes, there are questions on whether they have a say in the making of their foreign policy at all.
For a country whose image has taken a beating at the world level, it does only what it can, to run to next door economic giant (you, my reader, shall be confused since there are two economic giants next door!) China, a Communist country where any semblance of democratic setup is quite impossible to achieve. That leaves India, fighting with 2 non democratic countries (except that Pakistan calls itself one).
Much is being written about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and how it is helping improve China's strangle hold over Pakistan. The concessions that the Pakistan government has rolled out to China for the CPEC, is more than probably what the Chinese expected. Gwadar, the port city that China is helping build has been cordoned off with Chinese workers building a massive modern day port and a highway that connects it to China through much of Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
However, Gwadar situated within the Balochistan region, is fighting its own battle against the Pakistan state. The Balochi leaders exiled in Europe are calling for India to grant them asylum and give them a passport.With PM Modi referring to the Baloch issue during his Independence Day address, it has brought International coverage to the issue. It is for the first time that an Indian PM has used the Independence Day address to highlight such an issue. It serves as a message to the Pakistani establishment that however much it may try to play hide and seek about the militants intruding Kashmir, it cannot escape from a situation so grave as the Baloch issue. It also shows that India, is building an aggressive stance towards Pakistan, especially in light of the attacks in Pathankot, Uri in the recent past.
The Pakistan Army for long has been ruling at the hustings inspite of having democratically elected governments. The army seems to have full control over the Government. But in the recent past, the frequent visits to China by General.Raheel Sharif points out to how Pakistan is now kowtowing to China's demands. China's intention to keep the Kashmir issue burning is to allow it to build the highway over PoK, so that it can access the Gwadar port. It's transgressions in the South China Sea and its intent to not back away from its posturing shows how badly they are in need of creating a direct access to their markets in the Middle east, Africa and Europe. Trade and commerce is what is keeping China busy being aggressive in international forums, inspite of repeated warnings from countries such as US, India, Vietnam.

However, the question remains, what does the "democratically" elected leaders in Pakistan want? Are they looking for a closure to the Kashmir issue or are they content playing second fiddle to the Army? PM Modi's speech highlighting the need for the citizens of both countries to fight poverty as against each other was cleverly worded. It was directed towards their citizens. One of the rare occasions that the leader of one country was making against the other. The Arab spring gave hope that the people in Pakistan may consider and push for a democracy that is far removed from the clutches of  the Army. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. A true, functional and working democracy in which there is smooth transition of power shall not only help the people of Paikstan, but also the entire South Asian region. The country's economy shall benefit directly and lift millions out of poverty.

Cauvery and Karnataka-Water Woes

The recent SC order to release water to Tamil Nadu by Karnataka has lead to a huge uproar in Karnataka. Tamil Nadu has had to approach the SC repeatedly over the years for its rightful share of the water. Yesterday's order of the SC to constitute the Cauvery Management Board to look into the sharing of the Cauvery Water has come as a boon to the people of Tamil Nadu. It has been often been said and I reiterate, that Tamil Nadu does not have a river of its own and is dependent on the Cauvery for its agrarian needs.

The Cauvery delta region in TN today is a hub for corruption, especially with the river sand being mined for commercial exploitation. The politicians on either side are mostly only stoking the flames to keep their vote banks alive. It is in this context that one must see dispute, to try and remove the narrow prism of vote bank politics and look at it as an issue concerning people.

The SC has over the years ordered the CMs of the two states to sit together and chart out a mutually beneficial deal. It is however, not surprising that this hasn't happened in all these years. Water sharing is a bone of contention internationally as well. It has been a problem with Pakistan (Indus water dispute). Inspite of not having normal relations with our neighbouring country, we have managed to stick to the river sharing agreement. The waters of the Nile are shared between 10 countries and are based on a mutual agreement. Even countries like Jordan and Israel have agreed to share waters. Seen in this context, it is but a sad state of affairs that a mutually agreeable water sharing deal hasn't been worked out between Karnataka and TN.

The violence that has rocked Karnataka, especially with the attacks on the Tamil people living there has played out distastefully. Rogue elements which want to take advantage of the situation have done it and these incidents shall have to be looked at dispassionately by the people of both the states. Violence is never a solution. Perhaps, it is time for our leaders to go back to schools and relearn the chapter on Constitution, where it says that "India is a Union of States". We are one union. Healthy competition between the states is welcome but not violence and drama.

The situation calls for statesmen and not leaders.

Why the BCCI needs to learn from the TNPL?

Though this post does not delve into International affairs directly, I have always believed cricket to be an important tool (read soft power). Over the years, India or rather the BCCI has come to the centre stage and dominates Cricket and its administration. A lot has been said and written about the late Jagmohan Dalmiya, who has left an indelible mark on cricket administration world over.
However, this post is on N.Srinivasan.
Srinivasan, was introduced to the world of cricket administration by his the then friend A.C.Muthiah, who was BCCI President in the early 2000s.
Not many people are aware that his father, Mr.T.S.Narayanaswami  patronised education as well as sports notably, cricket. The group has been actively backing cricket teams in the TNCA First Division Chennai League for the past 4 decades.
Srinivasan has held on to the post of TNCA President since the past 14 years and also as Treasurer, Honorary Secretary and President of BCCI. He introduced the ex-players pension fund. Before this scheme was introduced, benefit matches used to be organised in aid of former cricketers. The flood gates were however, opened because of the introduction of higher broadcast revenues to Cricket from the introduction of the Indian Premier League. The IPL has changed the way the game is been played in the country. Shorter matches and intense competition has led the fans to flock the stadiums across the country.
However, with so much money at play, corruption was waiting to happen in the BCCI. A cat and mouse chase started between Lalit Modi and N.Srinivasan. Not much however is known to the public on the reasons for this. Both have been alleged to have ownership in different IPL teams. A clause concerning conflict of interest was changed to allow India Cements to buy a franchisee. In the drama that ensued, Lalit Modi left the country and brought out corruption charges against N.Srinivasan, on a daily basis. Finally, the courts intervened and with the proven misconduct of Gurunath Meiyappan, N.Srinivasan, stepped aside from the post of BCCI President. The Chennai Super Kings were handed out a 2 year ban from playing in the IPL alongwith the Rajasthan Royals, whose owners were found guilty of betting. Srinivasan, was exonerated from  betting charges.
Having had to step aside, a drama played out in BCCI. Mr.Dalmiya was unanimously elected BCCI President. However, he passed away a few months after his appointment paving the way for Shashank Manohar to take over. It was then that the SC appointed the Justice RM Lodha Committee to clean up the administration of the BCCI. A lot was expected from Shashank Manohar, a senior lawyer of repute. However, he found the going tough and got himself appointed as the first Independent ICC Chairman, thereby moving away from the BCCI. A young Anurag Thakur seized the opportunity and was made the President.
The Justice Lodha Committee has called for sweeping changes in the BCCI which needs an experienced hand to guide it now. Srinivasan, many people thought, would lie low after being removed as both, BCCI and ICC President. One also, needs to remember the major decision to overhaul ICC taken by Srinivasan, he proposed that 80% of Broadcast revenue that the ICC receives should be split between the  3 major countries-India, England and Australia. This decision was reversed by the incumbent-Shashank Manohar. India's clout was set to grow and was however, thwarted by this decision.

Srinivasan seems to have decided not to move away from the limelight. The decision to start the Tamil Nadu Premier League and its unprecedented success inspite of other State cricket associations also running T20 leagues from before, points to the Midas touch that he wields. Signing up Star Sports as the broadcaster seems to have paid rich dividends. In effect, the TNPL is similar to IPL, with 8 teams competing against the other crisscrossing the state. The coup was in bringing in former cricketers of repute to commentate-Scott Styris, Dean Jones, Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden. It is noteworthy that former Indian cricketers like L.Sivaramakrishnan and Krish Shrikanth alongwith S.Ramesh, S.Sriram have played an active role in the organisation of the league alongwith their commentary duties.
Tamil Nadu has always been a fertile ground for breeding talent in Cricket and the success of the TNPL just goes on to show that if the right infrastructure is provided to players in the districts, they will shine. Shine they have, with various players like T.Natarajan, Sai Kishore, L.Suryapprakash, N.Jagadessan et al being recognised by the talent scouts.

The success has helped the spectators keep their interest alive in the game in the absence of the CSK in the IPL. It has helped the players from across TN compete in a powerful and cash rich league to get noticed. It has however, helped N.Srinivasan, pack a punch and convey the message that he maybe down but not out, just like how he brought India Cements from out of the doldrums in the mid 1990s by convincing the banks to lend to the company and pick itself up. Growth then happened thanks to the boom in the construction and infrastructure sector.

The battles plaguing BCCI is far from over. It is however time for the BCCI to consider making the stadiums  spectator friendly.
The overall winner, in this battle royale, between the administrators, however is Cricket!

India and US since 2000-Why USA needs India?

India US relations since the year 2000 has seen a strategic shift. The then US President-Bill Clinton visited India in the last year of his office.  Many saw this as a historic visit by a US President to set the record straight with an emerging superpower. India back then was in the 9^th year of its Post Liberalized economy and was looking for partners to grow its trade. Who better than the world’s oldest democracy?

For the US, it was a question of being seen as encouraging a country known to be a vibrant democracy but also as a country that was changing the equations in the region inspite of having China as a neighbor. The US saw this as an opportunity to create a larger presence for itself in the region, through its engagements with India. Post 9/11, it saw in India, an ally that would help it combat terrorism considering India’s battle with home grown militancy albeit propped up by external agencies. Having sowed the seeds for a strong partnership, George Bush, Clinton’s successor took it upon himself to increase trade and commerce with the country. With Mr.Vajpayee demitting office in 2004, it was felt that the Manmohan Singh regime would try and alter the foreign policy manouevres by the Vajpayee government. However, the engagement with the US was strengthened with talks for a Nuclear deal being started. What happened since then, is historic. The Nuclear deal was finalized and Manmohan Singh-George Bush duo carried forward the work started by their predecessors.

Having signed the deal, the stage was set for a mature relationship with US. Many Indian Americans, now hold significant posts within the American dispensation and many business persons of Indian origin hold enormous clout within the political system in USA. The advent of Obama, has also heralded the arrival of the Indian American in public life in US. Many people of Indian origin have been appointed to important posts, including the current US ambassador of Indian origin-Mr.Richard Verma. This signifies the importance that the Obama administration attaches to the relationship with India.

One can also notice the increase in trade and commerce between the two countries since 2000. The total exports from US to India was 3667.3 million $ and imports from India was 10,686.6 million $ in 2000.The total exports from US to India, for this year (until July 2016) is 11,608.7 million $ and imports from India to USA is 26,468.3 million $. (Source:United States Census Bureau- https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5330.html#2000)

It is in this Context that one has to see the growing fondness that the Americans exhibit to India. Trade has been the leverage on which India has built its way into the international groupings. Perhaps, taking a cue from its next door neighbor.  The relationship that India shares with the US has helped it pack a punch beyond its weight in International fora.

Why Modi is Good News For India's Foreign Policy?

Ever since he won a historic mandate from the people of India, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi has had to respond to critics who have been shouting from the roof about his rather inconsistent foreign policy. 

Before we go any further, one needs to take into perspective that there has been a dramatic change in the leadership style in the country-from having a docile and soft spoken Prime Minsiter to one who is seen as a welcome change and a polar opposite in nature. Therefore, there was bound to be a dramatic difference while dealing with foreign policy.

Mr.Modi, has had a rather sombre first two years when compared to Mr.Manmohan Singh. It is because he enjoys the goodwill of the people having being elected through popular votes to the Lok Sabha and is seen as a Messiah of hope.

After the initial uproar over his repeated foreign sojourns, in the media, there has been a sea change in his approach to foreign policy. He probably felt that his image and stature in India can also be used to the country's advantage in the form of better trade and commerce, which explains his frequent travel abroad. There has been an increase in trade and commerce, especially with USA, whose President is an ardent admirer of PM Modi. The PM's address to the US Congress, comes at a time when the US is fighting for prominence in the Indian Ocean region, most notably in the South China Sea dispute. Taken singularly from this perspective, the invitation to the PM can be seen as historic and unprecedented. China's boundary transgressions especially while their Premier was visiting India, can be seen as nothing but posturing. It understands the popularity of PM Modi and that it is only trying to stoke the fires in a region which it calls as its own out of sheer frustration. 

The Prime Minister's deft handling of the two superpowers is visible through increase in trade and a larger voice for the country at International groupings especially with India's push to join the elite NSG.

There is nothing but good news for the people of India, in its zeal to establish itself as a major superpower in the world today. Mr.Modi has definitely bought in good tidings. However, we will have to wait until his term finishes, to compare and congratulate.