Agenda for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign relations
Prime Minister's 'Modi-plomacy' has been marked by creative thinking, setting it on the right track. While the NDA's 100-day report card has brought the PM laurels, we recommend an agenda for his next 100 days which will be full of challenges.
China Engagement
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minster Narendra Modi will have much to talk about, as the Chinese President arrives in Ahmedabad.
The talking points between the two leaders include trade and the vexed boundary issue. Modi must point out to Xi that repeated intrusions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) can create mistrust in the relationship. He must also focus on persuading the Chinese President to allow Indian companies a level playing field in China. Currently there is a trade balance between the two countries. China exports $40 billion to India, while India exports only $25 billion to China. This has to change. On the issue of Chinese covert support to Pakistan, PM Modi must point out that such support not only poses a threat to India but to China as well, an argument that should go down well, as China is facing Islamic terrorism in its Xinjiang province. India gains by having good relations with China and same goes for China. The two countries can coexist and cooperate but it has to be in the atmosphere of mutual respect which can only happen if there is trust. On the boundary issue, the best solution is one that preserves the status quo, China's demand for concessions in the Eastern sector before they move forward cannot be taken forward by any government in India and Beijing needs to understand that.
Tackling Terror
The biggest challenge for the Prime Minister and his national security team is terrorism. Indications from across the border, suggest more terror attacks are being planned. While Indian security agencies have been able to foil these attacks what is required to get an operationsoriented approach in the entire national security establishment. With Ajit Doval as the NSA a new beginning has been made. He has sought to make the National Security Council Secretariat more effective, and its job should be to provide reports on national security scenario to these institutions so they can focus on their primary tasks.
Going to America
PM Modi is all set for a big visit to the US, and while on the diplomatic side, Ambassador S. Jaishanker and his team is working overtime to make the visit a success, and the BJP's team of Vijay Jolly and Rajyavardhan Rathore, have ensured Modi will get a rock star like reception in in Madison Square Garden. On the bilateral front the denial of a visa and the US' stand on Gujarat will be at the back of PM Modi's mind, and it will be prudent to remind the US it needs to respect the judiciary and democracy of other countries. On the other hand he must tell President Obama that India is looking at a fresh relationship with the US. While a bilateral investment treaty will be a good confidence booster, labour reforms in India and a rationalised FDI policy will send the right signals to the US. However Washington needs to realise on trade issues New Delhi will not climb down from its principled position and there has to be greater understanding of Indian concerns.
Looking East
The Prime Minister's trip to Japan and talks with the Japanese premier Shinzo Abe has opened a new chapter of Indo-Japan relations. However more importantly, it has the makings of a grand alliance in East Asia - with India and Japan at the helm and other smaller countries who have a shared interest in keeping the sea-lanes of communication open and value freedom of the seas. It is important to curb sea piracy and have an effective maritime strategic cooperation, which can be extended to the Asia Pacific in which countries like Australia can join in for a grand strategic arch.
Public Diplomacy
Despite having a public diplomacy division that the Foreign Office has created and some creative thinking in the last year, India needs a high voltage public diplomacy campaign that not only explains the idea of India in India and abroad but also effectively uses new media to reach out to youth who shape public opinion. Many countries like the US are already doing it effectively. It will be in sync with PM Modi's initiative of 'Digital India' and the Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj's initiative to do diplomatic outreach through states, which can be done by integrating the colleges and schools to impart education on key foreign policy issues.
Woo Opposition
India has many top political leaders with a considerable degree of experience in foreign affairs and national security. On issues like terrorism, climate change and trade issues domain experts and political leaders across the political spectrum should be used to leverage the best deal for India. While India has good negotiators in the political arena, often tough messages can be delivered by political leadership. The advantage of a bipartisan support is that while making important decisions ratified by Parliament the government will not be facing embarrassment of concluding a deal abroad and trying to sell it to parties back home.
Motivate Envoys
At the annual conference of 'Indian Envoys' the PM has to send out a strong message. The message needs to be tough: shape up or ship out. The problem is that often envoys are not selected on merit but on which office you have worked in earlier. This must change. The system cannot be that it is mandatory to send an officer to an A* post - an acronym for the most coveted posts - to then a C* a not so sought after post. A performance review with inputs taken from concerned secretaries, from the stakeholders can then be confidentially shared by the Foreign Minister with the PM so he knows if his envoys are working effectively. There is a need for effective brand ambassadors for the country.