TALE OF TWO NATIONS . PART 1. Summary of an ARTICLE in "The Telegraph " by SUNANDA K DATTA RAY In an article written for the Forbes Magazine,Singapore''s ,LEE KEAN VEW, raises a question-
"Why
is it the growth in CHINA and INDIA are
seen differently by US and
other Western Powers?
Interestingly, he provides the answers also (
though partially), by his analysis, reckoning the factors and
Geopolitical equation. In the case of China the driving force for the
development ,he claims ,comes from Confucian compulsions which prompts
them to achieve a dominant position, eventually to become "a peer,
if not an adversary of US to compete in Economic, Social and
Military fronts." A China which longs to compete with US is sure to see
India only as a ''puny neighbour'', as was evident from Lia
Shao Chi''s claim that ''China was a great
Power and had to teach India
a lesson.'' India may again have to be punished --though the
instruments of chastisement may be different--if the booming economy
and Western applause at the development may appear to them as too
assertive.
However, India''s annual
growth is narrowing the
gap. Moreover,, there are so many flaws in the Chinese miracle that
admirers seldom acknowledge. China''s strident territorial
claims,aggressive competition for gas, charm offensive in South East
Asia, and determination to exclude India from South East Asian
diplomacy confirms ''their singleness of purpose and execution of
policy'' which prompt American, European, Japanese misgivings. Active
promotion of India''s growth by US, at the same time manouverung to
curb that of China ,surprises LEE .He forgets for a moment, exigencies
of swings in power politics. India has not forgotten the days while
politically acquiscent China had received sophisticated dual use
technology which laid the foundation of modernisation and a large
chunk of American investment for its
Economic revolution.. As against
this India was denied purchase of Kray computer from US and also
denied components for its light combat aircraft. Lee goes on to add
that despite India being more powerful militarily , possessing most
modern weapons and equipment both in Navy and Air Force, and a well
equipped and trained Army and capable of projecting their power
across its borders farther and better, still is not seen as having
aggressive intentions, a fact which surprises Lee. As against
this looking at the ground realities we see Pakistan with substantial
military and economic privileges provided by US which has to be
seen as an insurance by US against all their investment in India
getting awry. As far as China is concerned the spectre of 1962 ,
China''s invasion still haunts us. India knows pretty well that it
cannot match thenuclear arsenals, ballistic missiles and numerical
strength of Peoples Liberation Army of China and their reconnaisance
posts in Indian Ocean and the strategic triangle of Pakistan, Sri Lanka
and Myanmar.Having a full understanding about his
land of birth, and taking into account the unique position occupied by
Singapore, and South East Asia sandwitched between two behemoths ,
Lee feels,require support from India and China for in the Sino
Indian Equation.He is optimistic that the growth of both will pull up
the rest of ASIA. The reasons he gives for United State''s preference
to India over China require detailed attention.nKONTHAI
CONTINUED PART 2
.
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