It
is simply too early to judge Narendra Modi vis-à-vis the canvas of the comity
of nations. But it is also true, the real assessment of his engagements with
these leaders would be worth a study in recent international studies.
Both
the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself and his critics or admirers either way
would do well to curb the impatience and leave the answer to that query to the
womb of time.
But
the fact that Narendra Modi, armed with a huge mandate in a fiercely contested
most democratic elections in the world, was available at the world stage for
the first time. Although, Modi had visited Bhutan
last month, in all practical sense his trip to Brazil
and stopover at Berlin in Germany was the
first brush with hardcore diplomacy. Thus, there is nothing wrong in analyzing
his performance as the Prime Minister of world’s largest democracy.
In
lay man’s language, it went off well. But in depth scrutiny of Modi’s interactions, the developments in
BRICS Summit and his meetings with a galaxy of leaders like Putin and a
‘missed’ dinner with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel reveal that Modi has
left a distinct mark with his unique aplomb.
One single most
achievement was perhaps an attempt has been made by the ‘chief executive’ of
world’s largest democracy to change a global perception that its foreign policy
is generally non-committal, passive and mostly
guided by short term and emotive agendas. Modi
has able to punctuate the crucial tactical visions in Indian foreign policy.
But those who expected
giant leap from Modi’s maiden overseas travel are apt to be disappointed.
Well, one could
sound a bit skeptical but cannot help remarking that if a country which does
not look at its past and present to draw a foreign policy is actually on a
flawed roadmap. Modi seems to have done his home work prior to all key
meetings.
And as the Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, who had a humble origin of being a son of a tea vendor,
wrapped up his first major multilateral visit having separately met China
President Xi Jinping, Russia President Vladimir Putin, Brazil President Dilma
Rousseff and South African President Jacob Zuma, there is a strong feeling that an
opportune use of the occasion has been made.
Feedback from intelligence
agencies suggest even among the mandarins from other countries; the occasion
was ‘exploited’ well as a good opportunity for India to assume a greater role
for itself as a future global player. “We have the aspirations and when opportunities
come, the new Prime Minister took two steps forward when the expectation was
only one step,” says one insider in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Others say, his
handshakes were ‘firm’ as if he had rehearsed the events pretty well and
typical to his characteristic took note of minutest things like German
Chancellor Merkel’s birthday and thus when he spoke to her over phone, he did
extend the birthday greetings.
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| Modi talking to German Chancellor over phone |
The aptitude to
do proper homework about each leader and countries came in handy for Modi when
the actually meetings took place. Thus, his carefully tailored oneliners with
each leaders at every bilateral meetings went off well.
Modi apparently
floored his foreign counterparts with his carefully tailored comments at every
bilateral meeting. With a robust Putin, Modi mirrored an image of a confident
man.
Similarly,
with China,
he did not seen to be bogged down by any bitterness of the past. Although Shanghai has been selected as the venue for BRICS Bank,
the fact that first presidentship for the New Development Bank for India came with the backing of Brazil and South Africa is also significant.
However,
insiders suggest Modi was particularly keen for having the Bank in India but
apparently weak campaigning in last one year by the previous Manmohan Singh
regime vis-à-vis Chinese campaign led to the set back that it went to Shanghai.
The
proposed bank is expected to cater for cross-border infrastructure delivery projects, says officials adding the
bank would have a launching capital of US$50-billion. As per
plans, resources are to be pooled from member partners to deliver on
infrastructures, especially in Africa in
initial stage.
However, insiders in the foreign policy making
body in India
also maintain that the BRICS should not be viewed
merely in terms of concrete issues such as the development bank,
but also as a collaboration on strategic political issues.
With an assertive
Indian approach and body language of a time-tested ear-on-ground leader
(Narendra Modi); there is broad feeling among other BRICS nations also about the
growing failure of the west, especially on the economic front.
Modi’s country-specific
interaction with the world leaders also suggest that having claimed it well that
SAARC is vital, at the next level, Modi left no ambiguity to underline that
BRICS is equally vital if not more if the member nations have to make their
presence felt.
It was Indian side’s confident maneuver that the BRICS
Declaration at Fortaleza clarified that China and Russia
reiterated the importance they attach to Brazil,
India and South Africa’s
status and role everyone would play in international affairs and support their
aspirations to play a greater role in the UN.
Many of Modi’s
ideas, like the one on a BRICS
University, found mention
in the declaration.
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| With Brazil President Dilma
Rousseff |
