Tibetan ‘debut’ at Modi swearing-in

[Ray]

Photo-op gets China’s goat

- Tibetan ‘debut’ at Modi swearing-in

The Chinese are livid that the Tibetan prime minister-in-exile, known as the Sikyong, Lobsang Sangay, was given pride of place at the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 26.

Side by side with congratulatory messages to Modi and others in the new government, China has — through a formal demarche — already objected to Sangay being honoured.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140608/jsp/frontpage/story_18490440.jsp


It is a good sign.

While India wants peace and friendship with all as was shown in Modi's swearing in as the PM where all the leader of the SAARC countries, to include Pakistan were invited and treated as honoured guests, this is an indication that if relationships are to be maintained and nurtured, it is not a one way ticket!

[JMA]

Yes indeed, a good sign.


It is a good sign.

[WGEwald]

Will we see a demonstration of Chinese territorial aggression in response to a Tibetan presence at Modi's swearing-in?

[Ray]

Will we see a demonstration of Chinese territorial aggression in response to a Tibetan presence at Modi's swearing-in?

I don't think so even though it must have put off the Chinese no end.

Modi is very close to Sinzo Abe. Given that the US, Japan and India are in a huddle over (that blows hot and cold), China would rather have one flank calm and neutralised (in a manner of speaking), given that it can handle India, but the jointmanship of US and Japan is a hot potato for them to handle.

Here is how things are unfolding:


China's Foreign Minister Visits New Indian Leaders
Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which took power late last month, for its "sincerity and enthusiasm" in immediately reaching out to China and other countries,......

India has long been cautious in its relationship with China amid worries about Beijing's growing power as well as a decades-old border dispute. During the election campaign, Modi said India did not want a war with China but would be prepared to deal with what he called Beijing's possible expansionist designs.

However, Modi — who campaigned largely on promises of economic growth — surprised Indians by focusing his first week in office on foreign relations with India's neighbors, including Pakistan, its traditional archrival. For the first time, India invited South Asian leaders to the prime minister's inauguration.

The move had the double effect of distracting the Indian public from election-time divisions and confirming India's key role in the region. It also set the stage for Wang's visit, signaling China and India could be growing closer.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/chinas-foreign-minister-visits-indian-leaders-24045301



FDI diplomacy with Japan at play
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140609/images/09buslead.jpg

With that aim, Modi will look to work his charm on cash-rich Japan for investment and trade. New Delhi is keen to offer strategic engagement and preferential status to Japanese businesses trying to find a second home after China turned costly and at times threatening.

Modi, who’s also being courted by China whose foreign minister Wang Yi is currently here, will be visiting Japan early next month. Japan will be his second state visit after Bhutan.

India, Japan and the US will also hold three-way talks later this month, focusing on foreign direct investment (FDI) and defence ties.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140609/jsp/business/story_18492269.jsp


Narender Modi is a Gujarati and in Narendra Modi’s vibrant Gujarat, the one thing that mattered most was business. It continues to be so. It is a cliche, but bears repeating—business runs in the blood of Gujaratis. With a business-#minded Gujarati at the helm of India’s affairs, one has to see why ‘bijnis’ will occupy a greater share in the scheme of things........

Unlike India’s other business community, the Marwaris, Gujaratis have been more of go-getters, taking risks and boldly entering uncharted territories.

See this to understand the mindset of Gujaratis
INSIDE THE GUJARATI MIND
http://www.outlookindia.com/content11276.asp#Inside the Gujarati Mind

[JMA]

I don't think so even though it must have put off the Chinese no end.

It is good to 'tease' China like this, as have been the meetings between Obama and the Dali Lama (despite the US's grovelling acceptance that Tibet is part of China).


Modi is very close to Sinzo Abe. Given that the US, Japan and India are in a huddle over (that blows hot and cold), China would rather have one flank calm and neutralised (in a manner of speaking), given that it can handle India, but the jointmanship of US and Japan is a hot potato for them to handle.

I suggest in tha final analysis India and Japan will have to go it alone. The US just can't be trusted to hold up their side of such a defence arrangement but will be necessary in the interim while Japan arms itself and assists the smaller countries in the region who will need the level of protection from Chinese expansionism the US will unwilling and unable to offer.

Japan's military is back — and open for business (http://theweek.com/article/index/262286/japans-military-is-back-mdash-and-open-for-business#axzz348Qi8Q1c)

What is the joint strategic weakness of Japan and India? ... oil?

[Ray]

Oil is a strategic weakness.

However, if the economy grows, then one can overcome that to some extent.

India has declared 100% FDI in the defence sector. It will open up the sector to global players and Japan may chip in, using low cost labour for high end benefits. Israel is another country with which India has close ties in the defence sector

[Dayuhan]

Oil is certainly an enduring vulnerability for Japan: geography is a harsh mistress and Japan's oil has to travel a long way. That's not likely to change, as the only major producer anywhere near Japan is Russia, not much of a solution. Some potential in Canada, but the export infrastructure remains an issue. Canada's oil industry is set up to export to the US, not Asia.

It's less an issue for India: the Middle East is nearby and China is a long way from being able to project power into the Arabian Sea.

[Ray]

China Prepared to Settle India Border Dispute, Wang Says

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-09/china-ready-for-india-border-dispute-final-settlement-wang-says.html

Will secure one flank for China (where there are no economic resources to hold allurement) and will give greater leeway to pursue the SCS territorial ambitions.

It all depends on what China has to offer on the plate as 'settlement'.

Nehru's legacy maybe dead, but Modi cannot afford to come out a 'loser', having given the impression that he will ensure India's security and other interest as paramount, unlike the wimpish attitude of the last Govt.

Japan requires a boost to her economy. By setting up joint ventures in a low labour cost India and being allowed to export to other countries, Japan would be in a benefiting mode.

One of the largest slice of the cake is the defence industry. India has opened it up with 100% FDI.

To quote from the link JMA has appended, Japan has a high tech defence capability as displayed with three aircraft carriers, more than 40 destroyers, 300 first-line fighters, and the capability to shoot down ballistic missiles.

Given the very close relations Modi has with Abe (Abe follows three people on Twitter and Modi is one of them) and since India is in a hurry to make up its defence capability laid to rust by the last Govt, Japan is surely one of the first to be approached by Modi.


Japan has recently announced a flurry of co-development deals with other countries, a process that was forbidden under the export ban. The United Kingdom and Japan are planning on co-developing chemical warfare protective clothing, and Australia wants Japanese submarine technology for its next generation of attack submarines.

As it is, India has shown interest in Japan's Bullet Train over the cheaper Chinese version.

[Ray]

It is good to 'tease' China like this, as have been the meetings between Obama and the Dali Lama (despite the US's grovelling acceptance that Tibet is part of China).


One China? What about One India policy: Sushma Swaraj to Wang Yi
It’s learnt that this came up in the context of dealing with sensitive issues during the bilateral conversation between both leaders on Sunday. While Wang sought to remind Swaraj about the Vajpayee government’s commitment to the One China policy, the External Affairs Minister raised concerns over Chinese military presence in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and stapled visas for residents of Arunachal Pradesh.

In fact, sources said, Swaraj made this point while summarising the discussion towards the end of their meeting. “Mr Minister, we support the One China policy. However, we expect you to also have a One India policy,” said Swaraj and promptly ended the conversation with “xie xie (thank you)”, leaving little scope for a counter.

This was for the first time that India has articulated this position at a political level, which by itself is a significant shift as for over a decade New Delhi has always endorsed the ‘One China’ policy. For Beijing, getting this endorsement from all major countries has been a major diplomatic effort because it inherently negates claims like that of Tibet among others.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/one-china-what-about-one-india-policy-sushma-to-wang/