Sunday, July 16, 2023

Bonhomie is self interest.

"India is a global bright spot with a strong desire to grow even more, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday (yesterday)." ET. "Secretary General of the Muslim World League and President of the Islamic Halal Organisation, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, said India is a great example of Unity in Diversity and his visit to the Akshardham  temple in the national capital...only served to reinforce the belief." ET. "Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Paris for a two-day visit on Thursday (13 July), the European Parliament adopted a motion on the ongoing violence in Manipur," and "Some of motions tabled in the EU Parliament by six parliamentary groups, criticised the Modi government's handling of the two-month-long violence in the state." Outlook. "Other resolutions referred to the broader misuse of Indian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), UAPA terror law and the Foreign Contributions Regulatory Act (FCRA) by the authorities in the country." "India has reiterated that Manipur is an 'internal matter' after the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in India." NDTV. In other words, Indian citizens are disposable, to be sacrificed if authorities so desire. Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Shri Arindam Bagchi responded, "Such interference in India's internal affairs is unacceptable and reflects a colonial mindset." The old chestnut. We are the new colonial power, so push off. "The European Parliament would be well advised to utilize its time more productively on its internal issues." In other words, "Up yours." "One reason that the BJP won a landslide in 2014 was because it promised to eradicate corruption and create an India based on clean governance," wrote Vir Sanghvi. "The BJP, which once railed against dynastic politics, now welcomes dynasts with open arms." "Corruption is now no more than a weapon, a means of inducing politicians to switch parties." "Days before Ajit Pawar joined the BJP alliance, Modi had publicly railed against the NCP's (Nationalist Congress party) corruption. The Enforcement Directorate has also attached assets worth Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) allegedly belonging to Ajit Pawar." "Having first called Ajit Pawar corrupt, the BJP has now made him Deputy Chief Minister. It is a fair assumption that the corruption cases will now be forgotten." "The renewed hullaballoo about corruption - which as you know happens only among those in the political opposition; the clever ones who switch to the ruling party are at once washed clean with an unfailing saffron detergent - is, crucially, sought to be peddled with the stamp and seal of the Dear Leader," wrote Badri Raina. The Artha-shastra was written by Kautilya in the 4th century BCE. Britannica. "The ruthlessly realistic state system codified in the Artha-shastra insisted that foreign relations be determined by self-interest rather than by ethical considerations." So, the exaggerated bonhomie by foreign leaders is just superficial diplomacy. Parliamentarians are giving a hint if it doesn't work. Better not to react. Either way.

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