Why it is important to know what our neighbours want from India
In the race of supremacy, when an emerging nation like India aspires
to become a super power, it has to follow certain basic fundamentals. Most importantly, India has to maintain positive relation with the neighbouring countries, irrespective of how less influential and economically viable they are. Most of its neighbours (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, barring Pakistan) consider India as a big brother, but they also hold a strong perception that it is irresponsible too. Some of the gruesome issues between India and its neighbours are illegal immigration, human trafficking, and influx of terror group. Mr. Enamul Hoque Chowdhury, the Press Minister of Bangladesh High Commission to India, believes that though these are inevitable amongst all bordering countries and can’t be stopped completely at a go, issues can be drastically mitigated provided there are adequate measures taken to reduce poverty as poverty is the nucleus of all problems. Moreover, India’s immigration policy doesn’t seem to be very focused and insightful.
India seems to have very tapered immigration policy. India has never been very open towards immigrants for higher studies, perhaps fearing of the fact that influx of intellectuals from abroad would take out jobs from the citizens. India doesn’t even fill the minimum number of students it is supposed to accept under SAARC quota for medical and other technical education, while Bangladesh provides free education to meritorious Indian students every year under the same quota. Though the fear is logical, innumerable researches prove how immigrants from developing countries have greatly benefitted the most advanced countries like the US and the UK.
There is also a growing fear in India that India’s neighbouring markets are flooded with Chinese products. The trade imbalance between China and India’s neighbours vis-à-vis India and its neighbours is increasing. This can easily be mitigated. Most of its neighbours consider Indian universities as well as healthcare hospitals world class. Thousands of graduates and undergraduates line every day before Indian embassies to seek visas to study in India. Tens of thousand of people come every year to India for health services. Thus increasing bilateral trade relation in health, education and service sector would on one hand strengthen the relationship, on the other hand India’s would be able to deliver its views and policies to the educated class.
Though India itself has innumerable problems within but it is very important to realise that problems in its neighbouring countries have equal implications in its own economy and society. Thus neglecting them would not be an intelligent idea for a big brother. The US has its influence in Latin America today because it saved most of the Latin American countries by throwing out all European powers that had conquered them with the help of Monroe Doctrine. Though India saving Bangladesh from the West Pakistan is an example for the same but it has lot more to do. Once it succeeds to do so and win the hearts of its neighbours, it will win the hearts of those who are far. It is just a matter of time.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008
In the race of supremacy, when an emerging nation like India aspires
to become a super power, it has to follow certain basic fundamentals. Most importantly, India has to maintain positive relation with the neighbouring countries, irrespective of how less influential and economically viable they are. Most of its neighbours (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, barring Pakistan) consider India as a big brother, but they also hold a strong perception that it is irresponsible too. Some of the gruesome issues between India and its neighbours are illegal immigration, human trafficking, and influx of terror group. Mr. Enamul Hoque Chowdhury, the Press Minister of Bangladesh High Commission to India, believes that though these are inevitable amongst all bordering countries and can’t be stopped completely at a go, issues can be drastically mitigated provided there are adequate measures taken to reduce poverty as poverty is the nucleus of all problems. Moreover, India’s immigration policy doesn’t seem to be very focused and insightful.India seems to have very tapered immigration policy. India has never been very open towards immigrants for higher studies, perhaps fearing of the fact that influx of intellectuals from abroad would take out jobs from the citizens. India doesn’t even fill the minimum number of students it is supposed to accept under SAARC quota for medical and other technical education, while Bangladesh provides free education to meritorious Indian students every year under the same quota. Though the fear is logical, innumerable researches prove how immigrants from developing countries have greatly benefitted the most advanced countries like the US and the UK.
There is also a growing fear in India that India’s neighbouring markets are flooded with Chinese products. The trade imbalance between China and India’s neighbours vis-à-vis India and its neighbours is increasing. This can easily be mitigated. Most of its neighbours consider Indian universities as well as healthcare hospitals world class. Thousands of graduates and undergraduates line every day before Indian embassies to seek visas to study in India. Tens of thousand of people come every year to India for health services. Thus increasing bilateral trade relation in health, education and service sector would on one hand strengthen the relationship, on the other hand India’s would be able to deliver its views and policies to the educated class.
Though India itself has innumerable problems within but it is very important to realise that problems in its neighbouring countries have equal implications in its own economy and society. Thus neglecting them would not be an intelligent idea for a big brother. The US has its influence in Latin America today because it saved most of the Latin American countries by throwing out all European powers that had conquered them with the help of Monroe Doctrine. Though India saving Bangladesh from the West Pakistan is an example for the same but it has lot more to do. Once it succeeds to do so and win the hearts of its neighbours, it will win the hearts of those who are far. It is just a matter of time.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008
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