After so many annoying tweets by the U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, it gives rise to so many rumors that he might have started laying ground to fire the special counselor Robert Mueller interfering in the US presidential election. After analyzing the continuous attack of Trump, some senior Republicans have warned Trump against going off route.

Any such move would mark “the beginning of the end of his presidency”, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said, while a spokesperson for House Speaker Paul Ryan, without going into the President’s latest tweets, said: “As the Speaker has always said, Mr. Mueller and his team should be able to do their job.”

“I don’t know what the (President’s) designs are on Mueller, but it seems to be building toward that (firing him), and I just hope it doesn’t go there because it can’t. We can’t in Congress accept that,” said Senator Jeff Flake, another Republican and a strong Trump critic, on CNN.

And Republican Congressman Trey Gowdy, reacting to Trump’s personal lawyer John Dowd favoring disbanding the Mueller probe based on a “fraudulent and corrupt dossier”, commented that the lawyer was doing Trump a disservice, adding: “If you have an innocent client, Mr. Dowd, act like it.”

Trump’s tweets and commentary on Sunday talk shows intensified the talk of a possible Mueller ouster so much that White House lawyer Ty Cobb opted to issue a statement on Sunday night to say that the President was not considering the Special Counsel’s removal.

“In response to media speculation and related questions being posed to the Administration, the White House yet again confirms that the President is not considering or discussing the firing of the Special Counsel, Robert Mueller,” Cobb said.

And White House Legislative Affairs Director Marc Short took the stand that Trump’s team was fully cooperating in the investigation and that the President was only expressing his growing frustration with the manner in which the probe has been going on and on for so long.

But, in the midst of these clarifications, Trump himself took to the Twitter again on Monday morning, suggesting that the ongoing Russia probe was a “total WITCH HUNT with massive conflicts of interest”.

What set off the chatter on the fate of Mueller probe was Trump’s series of Sunday tweets, asserting: “The Mueller probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime.”

“It was based on fraudulent activities and a Fake Dossier paid for by Crooked Hillary and the DNC, and improperly used in FISA COURT for surveillance of my campaign. WITCH HUNT!” he tweeted.

Trump went a step further, suggesting for the first time that Mueller’s team was packed with Democrats.

Writer: S Rajagopalan

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Directed by their want of strategic partnership into decision making at the governmental level, India and France have taken a decision during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to become traditional partners. It’s the time for both the countries to take the hold and shape narratives and developing institutional agendas.

On the last day during his visit to India, Macron went to Varanasi to enjoy the cruise on River Ganga with Prime Minister Modi. This was the culmination of a visit with a difference.
Macron’s trip touched upon two aspects of the bilateral relations, the ancient and the modern (and strategic). Before the visit to the Ghats, Macron offered to Modi, an original copy of the Bhagavad Gita translated from Sanskrit into French in the early 20th century by the great French scholar Émile Senart. This symbolizes the first aspect of the relations, but perhaps more important in today’s world there is the ‘strategic’ angle.

Addressing the French community in Delhi, the young President explained: “geopolitical context is deeply changed. India rightly fears the reorganization of the world; she fears forms of hegemony in the region and in particular in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. And why not name it, she fears a Chinese hegemony”.

He reminded his countrymen: “France is a power of the Indian and the Pacific Oceans; we are present at the Reunion, we are also there in French Polynesia and New Caledonia. And we are a maritime power, it is often forgotten but France is the second maritime power in the world. We have a strong navy, we have nuclear submarines equipped like few other powers in the world; a maritime surveillance capability through our own satellites and technologies; it is obvious we are a military and intelligence power ranking us among the first nations in the world”. France is now ready to share this power with India.

Before concluding, Macron quoted the Australian Prime Minister, who spoke of “freedom of sovereignty”; he then added: “This renewed strategic partnership is reflected by the confirmation of a defense link that has already materialised in some very important contracts, be it in the naval or aviation domain, in the engine industry …a coming generation of a new partnership on development of engines (the Kaveri for the Tejas), but also enhanced cooperation in terms of spatial surveillance or in terms of intelligence”.

A vast programme, symbolizing the special relations between France and India, which celebrate 20 years of ‘strategic partnership’; the accord signed in 1998 by French President Jacques Chirac and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is the oldest such partnership.

Over the last two decades, it has grown steadily, no major political difference having darkened the sky between Paris and Delhi.
Between 1947 and 1954, the relations were often tense due to the issue of the French settlements in India which would only be solved with the de facto transfer of Pondicherry to the Union of India at the end of 1954.

What is less known is that despite differences, India and France continued to work together. This was perhaps one of the most trying times on the ground, particularly in Pondicherry. A contract had, however, been signed with Dassault in June 1953 for 70 planes; in October 1953, while another 35 were sent to the Dixmude aircraft carrier, four planes reached India by air. The remainder 32 aircraft would be delivered in early 1954. And those were the difficult days between the two nations!

Since the signature of the 1998 Strategic Agreement, France has constantly been supportive of India.

On his arrival, Macron stated that the visit would open a new era in the strategic partnership for the coming decades: “Our two democracies have common concerns, like terrorism, lots of common risks and common threats. But we have to protect this history and the state of freedom”.

The French President also said “I want my country to be the best partner in Europe. This is a strong message. I want Indian citizens coming to France for studying, becoming entrepreneurs and opening start-ups”.

Some 14 bilateral agreements were signed at Hyderabad House, strengthening the bilateral economic, political and strategic ties between the two countries. The joint statement affirmed: “Both leaders agreed to deepen and strengthen the bilateral ties based on shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law and respect for human rights”.

A message for China?

And on the emotive side, it recalled “the valiant sacrifices made by Indian and French soldiers during the First World War”. The Indian Prime Minister agreed to participate in the closing of the First World War Centenary celebrations, which will take place on November 11 in Paris.

And there is, of course, the Rs59,000 crore deal for 36 Rafale fighters in September 2016; it will soon prove to be a game changer, mainly due to the offset clauses forcing the French to reinvest in India 50 percent of the total deal’s amount, but also for India’s western and northern fronts.

Delhi also knows that it needs to diversify its diplomatic relations if it wants to play a major role in the world. Here too, France could be a crucial partner. According to the Joint Statement: “The leaders reiterated that this cooperation will be crucial in order to maintain the safety of international sea lanes for unimpeded commerce and communications in accordance with the international law”. It may translate into a logistics accord allowing India access to the strategically important French base in the Reunion Islands near Madagascar. Another possibility is the opening to India of the French facilities in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa where India’s rival China has already a military base. This is part of India’s new maritime strategy.

The shortest article of the Joint Statement is worth noting: “The leaders noted ongoing discussions between Defence Research and Development Organisation and SAFRAN on combat aircraft engine and encouraged necessary measures and forward-looking approaches to facilitate early conclusion”. The idea is to develop an M88 engine for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas with Safran, one of Dassault’s partners in the Rafale deal.

There is also a vibrant educational cooperation between Indian and French Universities and academic institutes; a host of agreements were signed during the Knowledge Summit, the first Indo-French conference on research and higher education in presence of the French and Indian Minister of education.

The Joint Statement spoke of increasing the number and quality of student exchanges, with the aim of reaching 10,000 students by 2020. An agreement for the mutual recognition of degrees should “facilitate the pursuit of higher education by Indian students in France and French students in India and enhance their employability”. The cherry on the visit’s cake was the co-hosting of the International Solar Conference (ISA). An alliance of more than 121 countries launched at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in November 2015, the ISA wants to create a coalition of solar resource-rich countries and address each participant’s special energy needs.

All this does not mean that the practical collaboration will be easy, but it is worth a try.

Writer: Claude Arpi

Courtesy: The Pioneer

United States’s President Donald Trump fires United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday. President Trump announced that he would replace Rex Tillerson with Mike Pompeo the C.I.A. director and former Tea Party congressman, who has a close relationship with the president and is in more sync with Mr. Trump’s America First credo.

Conspiracy theorists who believe, with some credibility, of Russian meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections, which Donald Trump won in an electoral upset for the ages. However, that may not be the case for Tillerson, he had reportedly referred to his boss as a ‘moron’ (with an unkind adjective ahead of it) and even as the US President referred to last morning in Washington DC, Tillerson has major disagreements with Trump, particularly around the issue of the nuclear deal with Iran, which Trump despises and the State Department in the United States wanted to defend.

Had Tillerson’s firing or resignation been a one-off, it would have been quite ordinary. After all, premiers have the right to hire and fire staffers, even senior ones. However, Donald Trump’s White House seems almost dysfunctional. Tillerson was fired a week after David Cohn, Donald Trump’s Chief Economic Advisor, quit his job in protest over Trump’s import tariffs and headlong rush towards a trade war. A few days before that, Hope Hicks, a long-time Donald Trump confidant and the White House Communications Director, quit as well. And this follows a pattern of several top Trump Administration officials either being fired or being forced to resign in disgrace in the 14 months that the Administration has been in office.

Nations across the world look up to the United States, thanks to its democracy, economy, and military. However, what most people are currently viewing is a completely dysfunctional state. By his imposition of trade barriers, Trump has appealed to his populist base, but being has shocked the traditionally pro-business wing of the Republican party, and that is just one example. He has also questioned climate science, education and immigration in the United States as well as attacked traditional allies. Then again, Trump has by some fluke managed to bring North Korea to the negotiating table, he might even manage to push through gun reform in the United States. Yet, some stability and talent in his Cabinet would go a long way towards assuaging the rest of the world. It might be ‘America First’ for Trump but America does not live in isolation. However, many also feel that Tillerson was not doing a great job, so it remains to be seen how Mike Pompeo will bring the rest of the world around.

Writer: Pioneer

Courtesy: The Pioneer

The Republican members that constitute the House Committee have come to the conclusion that there is no proof that President Donald Trump or anyone from his campaign conspired with officials from Russia to influence the 2016 White House race.

“We found no evidence of collusion,” Congressman Michael Conaway, who oversees the Russia probe, told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s scheduled release of a 150-page draft report to the Democrats for review.

“We found perhaps some bad judgment, inappropriate meetings, inappropriate judgment in taking meetings — but only Tom Clancy could take this series of inadvertent contacts, meetings, whatever, and weave that into some sort of a spy thriller that could go out there,” Conway said.

Rejecting the assertions, Congressman Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the panel, called the move to end the probe a “tragic milestone” and a “capitulation to the executive branch”.
“By ending its oversight role in the only authorized investigation in the House, the Majority has placed the interests of protecting the President over protecting the country, and history will judge its actions harshly,” Schiff commented.

Trump took to Twitter to capitalize on the news, saying: “The House Intelligence Committee has, after a 14 month long in-depth investigation, found no evidence of collusion or coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election.”

“We’re very happy with the decision by the House intelligence committee saying there’s absolutely no collusion with respect to Russia,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday, calling it “a very powerful decision, a very strong decision”.

“I understand they’re going to be releasing hundreds of pages of proof and evidence – but we are very, very happy with that decision. It was a powerful decision that left no doubt, so I want to thank the House intelligence committee and all of the people that voted,”

Trump said.

In contrast to the assertions by Trump and House Republicans, Schiff contended that the evidence “is clear and overwhelming that the Intelligence Community Assessment (of Russian meddling) was correct”.

“If the Russians do have leverage over the President of the United States, the Majority has simply decided it would rather not know,” Schiff said.

Writer: S Rajagopalan
Courtesy : The Pioneer

With the successful visit of Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang to India, from 2nd to 4th March, 2018, the relationship between the two countries are expected to mount to another level. The main agenda of the visit was a discussion on the possibilities of trade and defense collaboration and exchange. This was Quang’s first visit to India as President. He landed in the country with 18 delegates, including Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Deputy PM, ministers for trade and industry, and ministers of planning and investment.

Earlier in Jan, Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Nguyen XuanPhuc, visited India on Republic day, to strengthen the partnership between the two countries. The visit also marked the manifestation of a landmark Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in port development and civil nuclear cooperation, which speaks volumes about how much Hanoi values defense partnership with India.

In view of China’s destructive posturing in the South China Sea, both Vietnam and India have recognized maritime security as one of the foremost areas in which they should unite. Three major agreements were signed that including nuclear cooperation and enhancement of trade and agricultural research. A MoU on cooperation between GCNEP and VINATOM was also discussed. The main purpose of the MoU is to support the technical cooperation of atomic energy.

South China Sea is a major crisis with abilities to swift a major conflict. While China entitles this part of the ocean space in its zone, there are several other claimants in the region who claims certain parts of the Sea falling in their zones. Although India is not directly involved in the matter, it is more concerned about China’s attempt to control this ocean space as trillion dollars of trade pass through the ocean every year. India has also its own economic stake as it has joined Vietnam on its invitation for joint exploration of oil and gas reserves off the coast of Vietnam in the South China Sea. After the discussion, Quang welcomed Indian businesses to expand their oil and gas exploitation and exploration activities on land and in the inland shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone of Vietnam”.

Though no agreement was signed in the field of defence cooperation, both are expected to continue to work on fulfilling India’s $100 million Credit Line commitment to Vietnam, some of which has been used for procuring Offshore Patrol Vehicles (OPVs), while talks continue on Akash Surface to Air Missile systems (SR-SAMS) and Dhruv advanced light helicopters. Vietnam has also from time to time expressed its desire to purchase BrahMos supersonic missiles from India. Both Modi and Quang also agreed to enhance exploring the possibility of co-production and opportunities in transfer of technology in defence manufacturing. Military-to-military cooperation between the services is also going on. The two countries also agreed to strengthen relations in different sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, textiles and petroleum.

The two countries also signed a MoU on economic and trade cooperation aimed at establishing a framework for enhancing economic and trade promotion.In terms of trade, both are striving to bring bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2020. In the fiscal 2016-17, bilateral trade stood at $6.24 billion, an increase of 40 per cent from the previous year. From his side, Quang underlined his country’s commitment to creating favourable conditions for businesses in areas ranging from information technology to infrastructure. In a joint statement issued, both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Sub-Commission on Trade in Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi in 2018 at the earliest. The joint statement stated: “In order to realize potential to both increase the volume of trade and diversify its composition, they (Modi and Quang) requested the relevant ministries and agencies on both sides to explore substantive and practical measures to achieve the trade target of USD 15 billion by 2020 including but not limited to utilising established mechanisms, strengthening exchanges of trade delegations, business-to-business contacts, regular organisation of trade fairs and events”. Both sides urged leaders of business and industry of both countries to explore new trade and investment opportunities in identified priority areas of cooperation.

A work plan for the years 2018-2022 between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam was also signed between the two countries. The purpose of this work plan is to promote cooperation in the transfer of technology and exchange of visits of technical experts in the field of agriculture. India requested Vietnam to consider signing the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance to strengthen cooperation in the renewable energy space. Vietnam agreed to examine.

When Modi visited Vietnam in 2016, the “strategic partnership” was elevated to a “special strategic partnership”. Quang committed to further deepen this partnership. In 2016, Modi had announced a grant of $5 million for the construction of an Army Software Park at the Telecommunications University in NhaTrang. A Line of Credit of $100 million is already being used for eight off-shore patrol vessels to Vietnam. The armies of the two countries conducted joint military exercise in February for the first time. Vietnam also buys defence equipment for its navy and air force. Also, though Vietnam has shown an interest in buying the Brahmos supersonic missile from India, not much headway been made. Negotiations on terms and conditions are under way.

The fact that a business delegation of 65 businessmen from 34 Vietnamese companies visited India with Quang and had interaction with prominent Indian businessmen shows that Vietnam is keen to deepen economic and business ties with India. As regards the composition of trade, while Vietnam exports a lot of manufacturing products such as mobile phones, machineries and computers, India’s export basket to the Vietnamese market includes machineries, textile materials, sea food and medicines. Despite the enthusiasm shown by both sides, the trade volume has not reached the expected level.  

India continues to be among Vietnam’s top ten largest trading partners. Though overall bilateral trade volume is below the desired level, it has increased 16 per cent per annum on average in the past decade and this is an achievement. Many major Indian firms have established and expanded their footprints in Vietnam. The growth trajectory cannot be overlooked. What also cannot be overlooked is the fact that India has given priority to Vietnam in development cooperation and education and training and focused on areas such as science and technology, information and communication.    

Investments from India in Vietnam are still very low. India ranks 28th among the 126 countries and territories investing in Vietnam in 2017 with 168 projects and total registered capital of $756 million. Many major Indian corporations, including Tata group, ONGC and Essar, have sound business in Vietnam. Vietnam expects more investments from India, so that the target of $15 billion in bilateral trade by 2020 can be realised. India’s strength in renewable energy, manufacturing, IT, infrastructure, could be attractive for Vietnam. Both need to strengthen bilateral and regional connectivity as well as infrastructural connectivity such as air links, roads and maritime links, and digital connectivity. Under Modi’s Act East thrust, these areas are the preferred projects and shall contribute to a win-win situation when energies of both sides are unleashed. Quang’s visit should be viewed from this perspective.

Writer: Rajaram Panda
Courtesy: The Pioneer

During the raucous rally of supporters in Pennsylvania on Saturday night, America’s President, Donald Trump, told that his new tariffs were related to save the steel industry and advised them to send a Republican to the House so he can keep delivering those kinds of results. The president gave his preference to Republican Rick Saccone in the final days of the competitive election outside Pittsburg that could resonate nationally ahead of the November interim elections. Hitting peak campaign mode for himself, he revitalized many of his 2016 riffs and even unveiled his 2020 planned slogan, “Keep America Great!”

“We can’t say ‘Make American Great Again’ because I already did that,” Trump said in Moon Township, a Pittsburgh suburb, adding: “Our new slogan when we start running in — can you believe it, two years from now? — is going to be ‘Keep American Great, exclamation point.”

It turns out that Trump actually had hit upon the “Keep America Great” slogan long ago, having told The Washington Post in January 2017 that he had instructed his lawyer to trademark the phrase with and without an exclamation point.

  “The task for all of us, for everyone here tonight is to make sure that this great American comeback continues full speed ahead. We are doing things that are amazing,” Trump said as he campaigned for a Republican locked in a stiff contest with a Democrat in a special Congressional election on Tuesday. “The world is watching. Get out on Tuesday and vote like crazy,” he told the crowd.

Trump made it a point to tout his controversial decision to slap 25 per cent on imported steel – something that was set to resonate in Pittsburgh – once the centre of America’s steel industry and still carries the title “The Steel City”, despite plants having closed down in recent decades in the face of acute competition from cheaper foreign steel.

“Steel is back. Aluminium is back,” he claimed, predicting that a lot of steel mills would now reopen because of his tariffs push to keep cheaper imports at bay.

Ditching his prepared address, Trump attacked his three predecessors – Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton – for their failure to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. “They all had their shot and all they did was nothing,” he said and claimed that it was because of his own maximum pressure campaign that Kim Jong Un has now sought a meeting with him and he has accepted the invitation.

Back to his familiar campaign mode, Trump also lashed out yet again at the liberal mainstream media and a host of Democrats, notably House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Maxine Walters and Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is thought to be among a host of Democrats considering a presidential run in 2020.

“I look forward, I really do, I look forward to 2020 because I want to see how far left the person is going to be that we’re going to run against,” Trump said. Bringing up Oprah Winfrey, he urged the media celebrity to throw her hat into the ring, saying he would “love” to campaign against her. “I would love to beat Oprah. I know her weakness. I know her weakness … I would love it. That would be a painful experience for her,” he remarked.

Writer: S Rajagopalan
Courtesy: The Pioneer

Scale of fraud in PNB shows there is something deeply rotten in India’s public sector banks.

As you drive past Nirav Modi’s flagship store in South Delhi’s posh Defence Colony you see billboards of Bollywood and Hollywood stars adorned with Modi’s diamonds. In the last few years, Nirav Modi had become one of India’s richest men and his chain of jewelry stores across India and the world became highly regarded. But what is emerging in the past few days, especially from Punjab National Bank (PNB), is that Nirav Modi’s empire appears to have been built on fraud. First, news of a Rs. 280 crore fraud emerged and it was followed by the disclosure of a whopping Rs. 11 ,800 crore fraud where the state-owned lender found itself exposed to bad loans made to Nirav and his associates on the basis of forged documents and through corrupt officials. What is remarkable is not that the details of the scam emerged now, but also that the scam apparently had been going on since 2011 and that officials were notified a few years ago. At the same time, Nirav and his associates managed to flee the country before news of the mega-fraud broke.

That said, the Managing Director of PNB has not clarified the extent of the loot but this highlights how taxpayers are left holding the can for banking failures in the public sector, and while the Congress will gloat over this scam it would be inopportune for them to do so because the scam began under their watch. Many questions are still being asked about this fraud and the well-connected individuals at the heart of the alleged loot. But the obvious question should be how it took six and a half years to come to light if indeed money had been lent to these individuals. Did it only come to light as the Reserve Bank of India made reporting Non-Performing Assets a far stricter process for Indian banks? And how will the scam impact not only PNB but also other state-owned lenders? All this comes in the wake of the State Bank of India, the country’s largest bank, having declared some spectacular losses in the recently concluded quarter. With their books bleeding and the RBI’s latest strictures making it difficult to keep on ‘evergreen’ loans, access to banking credit for firms large and small will become even more difficult. But it isn’t just this story that should trouble the Government and the RBI. There is also the curious case of the Bank of Baroda which apparently broke all laws by banking with the scandal-linked Gupta family in South Africa which is accused of ‘state capture’ in that country. It appears the bank broke all its own rules in banking transactions with the Gupta family and bank managers even implored the family for favours.

The Indian public banking sector is in a deep state of rot and four years into his administration, Narendra Modi should be worried. Despite lower inter- est rates, credit off-take has been weak in India with banks almost scared to lend money; the scale of the NPA problem under the previous UPA government was like a poison pill planted to undermine Modi’s promise of job growth. However, some positive news is emerging with the push towards improving things for small and medium enterprises with better banking services. But is there more bad news on the horizon? The banking sector in India needs structural reforms, Modi government must address the problem with immediate effect.

Inputs from The Pioneer www.dailypioneer.com 

The state of emergency in Maldives has brought Indian strategic interests to a point of reckoning. It is a tough decision for India.

Political crisis In Maldives has deepened ever since President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency in the country for 15 days starting February 2 after the ruling of the Supreme Court to reinstate the 12 rebelled MPs and release political prisoners. While the Chief Justice and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom have been arrested, Yameen is trying to consolidate his dictatorial regime. To justify his brazen act, he accused the top court 01 acting hastily and said, “I declared the state of emergency because there was no way to hold these justices accountable.”

But, the ongoing political chaos is not a surprising development. In fact, the things were moving in this direction since 2012, when the first democratically elected President, Mohamed Nasheed was ousted. With the election of Yameen as President in 2013, things turned worse as he launched a crackdown on civil liberties. Later, Nasheed was illegally sentenced to 13 years on charges of terrorism in 2015. Moreover, in the last five years, Yameen has abrogated a serious of democratic reforms, imprisoning or forcing into exile nearly nearly every politician who opposes him. This became evident when Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was arrested on unsubstantiated charges of plotting the attack on Yameen.

However,the recent order of the apex court posed a serious threat to the stability of the Yameen regime, given the fact that with the 12 legislature getting back their seats, the Opposition would gain a majority in the 85-member Parliament. Since the top court ordered the release of Nasheed, Yameen was left to face a tough competition in the next general election, which is due later this year. These factors, along with enhanced ties with China and Saudi Arabia, emboldened Yameen to impose emergency In the country to acquire unlimited power to protect his regime. The ongoing political unrest has caught international attention, with Opposition leaders of Maldives requesting the international community to restore democracy. In particular, Nasheed, who is in exile in Sri Lanka, has requested India to send an envoy, backed by its military, to release the judges and political prisoners.

India is also closely watching the developments in Maldives, especially when relations between the two countries have remained very sticky since 2012 when President Mohammed Waheed Hassan cancelled the contract signed with GMR, an Indian company. Though India hosted President Yameen three times till 2016 and he also lauded the Modi Government’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, Male has not taken any concrete step to improvise with New Delhi. Instead, Yameen has shown interests in strengthening ties with China. This can be gauged from the fact that while an unprecedented rise in the number of Chinese travelers to Maldives has been recorded, Yameen has already endorsed China’s Maritime Silk Road, which is the part of the One Belt One Road.The two countries also signed the Free Trade Agreement in December 2017. It is also believed that the new law passed by Maldives, allowing absolute foreign ownership of land on the conditions that interested parties mold make a minimum investment of one billion dollar and reclaim 70 per cent land from the sea, will greatly benefit China in expanding its foothold in the Indian Ocean. India’s concern is that China, with its strategic ally Pakistan, could use the Maldives as a strategic choke point for India if push came to shove. The threat from Pakistan- backed fundamentalists is no less threatening. Rapid inroads of Wahhabi Islam are taking place in Maldives and the growth of terror modules in that country have generated concerns among the Indian strategic community. Therefore, internal stability is not important just to Maldives, but also to the International community, and most of all, to India. Even now, while Yameen has announced to send envoys to friendly countries: Chika, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, he did not find it fit to consult India, underscoring Yameen’s hatred against New Delhi.Maldives has emerged as one of the most important neighbors of India in geo-strategic and economic terms. It is situated in a mid-way between Strait of Malacca and Suez,which are the world’s busiest trade routes and thousands of cargo pass through these trade routes. At the same time. as Kerala and Lakshadweep are in close proximity to the Maldivian islands, there are always India’s concerns about the possible use of Maldives’ territory against it. These concerns get importance in the light of the fact that the November 2008 cross-border terrorist attack in Mumbai was made possible from across the sea. Maldives also occupies a special place in lndia’s foreign policy priority because of increasing cases of piracy in the Indian Ocean near Somalia and Strait of Malacca, which has made the position of Maldives very important for establishing Naval bases for security in the Indian Ocean.

It was in this context that the Indian Government issued a strong statement saying, ‘We are disturbed by the declaration of a state of Emergency in the Maldives following the refusal 01 the Government to abide by the unanimous ruling of the full-bench of the Supreme Court on February 1, and also by the suspension of Constitutional Rights of the people of Maldives. However, it is equally true that New Delhi may not like to take hard steps against Yameen because it will further enhance ties between China and Maldives. We also do not know how the Government in Male, after a regime change. will behave with regard to Indian interests. Thus, the Modi Government has taken the right decision to put pressure on Yameen through diplomatic channels to revoke the state of emergency. Now, it has to be seen in a testing time like this how India manages to keep China at a distance, reinforcing its position of an ultimate security provider in the South Asia region.

{Sumit Kumar Jha: The writer is an ICSSR doctoral fellow, UGC Centre for S. Asia Studies, Pondicherry University)

Kapil Sibal’s plea before SC to defer Ayodhya hearing a blunder or masterstroke for Congress in GE 2019?

Newly anointed Congress President Rahul Gandhi has the formidable task of rejuvenating the grand old party from its rather run- down present state into a lean, mean fighting machine in next few months. As it is the task is difficult but his political quirks make it even more daunting. For one, he still functions in the political paradigms of the 1980s. His politics remains tied to his grandmother’s apron strings. He still swears by 80s style failed socialist policies, reviles big businesses and indulges in homilies to pose as messiah of the masses. Rahul’s ‘killer blueprint’ of resisting BJP involves doing an extensive temple run in Gujarat and blocking the temple run in Ayodhya, contradiction that the BJP has been quick to latch on.

The impossibility of this position may not have occurred to the dynasty but in any case a Congress leader shall always be around, ready to be martyred in the larger cause of saving a Gandhi if matters get out of control. Sibal appears to be the ‘chosen one’ this time. Let us examine whether this is a superficial view or there is more to it than meets the eye. Could it be that the seasoned legal eagle, known both for the sharpness of his intellect and of his tongue, was prepared to lose the immediate battle in order to prepare well for the decisive war ahead – GE 2019?

Congress’ biggest problem is that of bankruptcy of ideas: A failure to find an ideological space or a political positioning. Consequently, it tries to occupy all sorts of spaces—liberal, conservative, subaltern, casteist, classist, rural, pro minority or majoritarian and often the inherent tension between these spaces makes its position untenable. It is evident that Rahul felt the need to delve in soft Hindutva ahead of Gujarat elections and went out of his way to do a round of temples and pose as a Brahmin poster boy.

Once Gujarat is over, however, Congress’s need for a soft-Hindutva positioning is exhausted, and it even becomes counter-productive ahead of the Ayodhya verdict where its ambiguity contrasts unfavourably with BJP’s clarity on Ram Temple. Hence Sibal’s submission in court that Ram Temple verdict should be postponed till after 2019 general elections. Two motivations prompted this act. First, deny Narendra Modi ahead of GE 2019 the fruits of Hindu vote bank consolidation that will inevitably result from any Supreme Court decision either way. If it is in favour of the temple the Hindu masses, irrespective of caste distinctions, will shower him with their votes out of gratitude; if not, then their frustration and angst will make them rally even more unitedly behind him. Second, buy time to decide on Congress’s own political position depending on the unfolding scenario.

Sibal has since issued statements that are easily refuted and are at odds with his stature as a senior, seasoned lawyer. He claimed that he never represented the Sunni Waqf Board in court. He told ANI: “The Prime Minister did not check the fact that actually I never represented the Sunni Waqf Board in the Supreme Court. And yet he thanked Sunni Waqf Board for a statement on the basis that I represented them. I request the prime minister to be a little more careful.”Documents widely avail- able in public domain clearly show that he was, in fact, representing the Sunni Waqf Board in Supreme Court. Other documents also surfaced that demolished Sibal’s defence that he wasn’t appearing for the Sunni Waqf Board. The events took a curious turn a day after when Zafaryab Jilani, convenor of the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC), threw his weight behind Sibal and claimed: “Whatever Sibal has said has been stated with prior consultation with all advocates including leaders of the Muslim Personal Law Board. Sibal had discussed this. With full confidence, we can say that we completely endorse what Sibal said.”

The ANI report also quoted Haji Mehboob, who now seemed to be back tracking from his earlier statement. “If Jilani saab is saying that what Kapil Sibal said yesterday was right, then I agree with him. I don’t want to say anything else.”Finally on Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Board chairman Zufar Ahmed Farooqi claimed Sibal wasn’t representing them. He was “representing one of the private parties involved in the suit.”

It is not difficult to imagine what may have conspired behind the scenes within a span of 24 damaging hours for the Congress. The protestations and denials issued since are designed to absolve Sibal of all responsibility for his statement, leading one to wonder whom exactly was the senior lawyer representing while making that submission. However, the political script in the court drama can tremendously boost Congress chance to take on omnipotent BJP led by Narendra Modi, RSS and Mumbai club on ground zero. Congress party led by newly elected Rahul Gandhi has limited chance to reclaim the lost territory. The political map is dominated by saffron and regional parties today because Congress’s biggest problem is that of bankruptcy of ideas: a failure to find an ideological space or a political positioning.

It is evident that Rahul felt the need to delve in soft Hindutva ahead of Gujarat elections and went out of his way to do a round of temples and pose as a Brahmin poster boy. This is after all is merely the cloning of BJP’s winning formula of Hindutva, albeit in a much milder form. But even then it has the ingredients of what it takes to alienate the Muslim vote bank that has traditionally been the party’s mainstay. It is precisely to preempt this dangerous circumstance that Sibal’s request to defer the case beyond GE 2019 was designed. In short, the compulsions of Gujarat assembly elections 2017 made Rahul Gandhi go on around of the temples; similarly, the compulsions of Lok Sabha GE 2019 made Sibal seek postponement of the case hearings. Congress can ill afford to lose its Muslim supporters which would have been inevitable in the event of a court verdict on the Ayodhya case.

Now the master stroke of Sibal has the potential to revive the party from being on the ventilator to the racing track by strategically attracting pan India 15% minority vote that can be the launching pad for RaGa with his newly acquired soft Hindutva persona. By a single action, the political landscape of the country can be altered but it needs better political articulation . RaGa Congress can be revived only when the party can snatch minority votes from the regional outfits namely SP, BSP, RJD, RLD, NCP, YSR Congress,TMC etc and it should be clubbed with soft Hindutva narrative to mount a serious challenge for Modi led BJP . The optimum polarization is possible by aggressive approach , the same is brilliantly provided by Kapil Sibal on a platter to the Congress party. The road-map to GE 2019 is scripted with brilliance and the pursuit of success will test the political acumen of the Congress president . Soft Hindutva with Sibal ’s taking up cudgels for the Muslim minority in the Ayodhya case can turn out to be the winning bet for the ailing Congress party in GE 2019.

(Prakhar Misra: Writer is political editor)

There was a time, when Modi Government came into power by winning 2014 Lok Sabha elections with massive mandate and a strong clear message, “We are not here for any positions but burdened by great responsibility”. Be it about strengthening the foreign policies, defense policy or the launch of welfare schemes for low income group in the country, team Modi has worked really hard to bring in new hopes and to mark their presence in the history. Modi led government has clocked over three years at the wheel; here are the five most important things that Modi Government has accomplished since coming to power.

Strengthened economy – The much anticipated foreign tours by the PM actually brought a lot of investment in India and India is the most favored FDI destination of the global capital today, the most prominent investment is first bullet train of the country with Japanese collaboration. As Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi had proven himself to be a great supporter of economic reforms and he successfully proved that under his leadership the country will reach amazing heights.

Make in India and Digital India – Make in India was announced to ensure MNCs from across the world begin their manufacturing plants in the country that generates employment and contributes well to the economy. Make in India has gathered a lot of momentum and many countries have signed deals with different state and central governments. There are also, initiatives like Digital India which have completely changed the outlook of our country. It has paved way for millions of people to step in the mainstream economy.

Swachh Bharat– Prime Minister, Narendra Modi exhorted people to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of clean India. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan seeks to create clean India. It was launched to eliminate open defecation and promote cleanliness in the entire country. However, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in the last two and a half years has been a great success: metro & tier II cities have started to realize the importance of cleanliness.

The mission contains two sub- missions: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin or Rural) and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban) both of these operate with different ministries and various NGos working towards the ideas of making India a better place to live.

GST– It is an indirect tax levied in India on the sale of goods and services. After implementation of the biggest tax revolution since independence, a recent report on rate of taxes on goods and services showed that majority of items have become cheaper after GST and this has infused trust in the government to make India a better country. Talking about the long term benefits, GST is expected to lower rate of taxes but also minimum tax slabs; the impact of GST on macro- economics has turned out to be positive in the medium term. However with the implementation of GST, inflation would be reduced as the cascading effect of taxes would be eliminated.

Tough stance on critical issues- With Modi government in power, the politics of appeasement is over. After a major initiative taken by Modi Government in the Supreme Court, Triple Talaq has become unconstitutional. Muslim women’s are coming in open support of this initiative.This is a small report on centre’s performance and crucial accomplishments of the Modi government in the last three years; it has insinuated the feelings of hope among people of India. This explains why Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains India’s most popular political leader.

(By Laraib Fatima Warsi: Writer is a freelance journalist) 

Confident India and its leader deliver the opening speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Indian leader Narendra Modi has warned that globalization is under threat. Modi told delegates at the Swiss resort on Tuesday that “forces of protectionism are raising their heads” against international trade and commerce. “Bi-lateral and multilateral trade negotiations have come to a kind of standstill,” he said.

Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit a WEF summit in more than two decades, called for reform of international institutions, continued comitment to a rules-based world order and greater focus on inclusivity in the global economy during his address.

The focus of this year’s edition of the annual Davos meeting is on creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World, according to the Geneva-based foundation’s website. Modi praised India, home to some 1.2 billion people, for its commitment to democracy and diversity. “For a society with diverse religions, cultures, languages, attires and cuisines, democracy is not just a political system but a way of living,” he said, adding that inclusion is the “main principle” of his government.

Kenneth Roth, executive director of international rights group Human Rights Watch, has accused Modi of failing to address the “growing populist intolerance and exclusion” occurring in a number of countries worldwide, including India. Critics of the Davos summits suggest the annual WEF meeting serves as little more than a “talking shop” for the global elite.

Meanwhile oxfam International in a report criticizes Indian government policy, suggesting that 1% of rich in India controls 73% of country’s wealth. WEF attendees “have had many years now of hand wringing about the growing gap between rich and poor, and very little to show for it … This is clearly because business as usual is good business for those at the top”, A report by oxfam, published in advance of the Davos summit, has revealed that half of the world’s population received no share of all wealth created globally in 2017.

Instead, billionaires increased their wealth by $762bn last year, enough to end “global extreme poverty seven times over”, the UK-based charity’s annual inequality report said. Off course Modi government has a task in hand to check this wealth concentration for select few and its distribution amongst over billion people equally.

 Kapil Dudakia (UK Bureau Chief from Davos)