Modi government’s foreign policy – doubted locally but accepted globally

Foreign policy initiatives and efforts to raise India’s international profile will be clearly seen as prominent features of the year. Mr. Modi’s visits to 18 countries in the West, Latin America, China, the neighbourhood and East Asia were in line with the foreign policy objectives set during the UPA’s tenure that sought to adapt India to a fast-changing, multipolar world. In line with the UPA’s correctives during its second tenure when the government sought to move away from a single-minded focus on Indo-U.S. relations, the Modi regime has adopted a multifaceted approach. The government has simultaneously pursued Indo-U.S. strategic ties and a strong economic relationship with China based on trade and investment. The former was outlined in the Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean region signed during President Barack Obama’s visit when he was the guest of honour at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. Reciprocal state visits by Mr. Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping allowed for incremental gains in the relationship as both have sought to whittle down strategic differences.

Mr. Modi’s government has played a proactive role in the neighbourhood. Without the coalition constraints that the UPA faced, the Modi government managed to conclude a land agreement with Bangladesh. The government helped Nepal find its feet after the earthquake and promised support for its Constitution-writing process without any interference. Indeed, Mr. Modi’s twin visits to Nepal helped refurbish the image of the foreign policy establishment, which had resorted to an interventionist approach under the UPA midway through its tenure. But as regards Pakistan and the north-west region, India’s foreign policy approach has been found wanting. The emphasis on a limited engagement with Pakistan that has persisted since the 26/11 attacks has impeded movement to solve outstanding issues, even as Islamabad has moved to deepen cooperation with the new regime in Afghanistan. All said, it is an encouraging start on the foreign policy front. And it is a matter of credit to the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister that the Nehruvian emphasis on strategic autonomy has been retained.

THOL BIRD SANCTUARY- a place where flamingos attract tourists.

Thol Wildlife Sanctuary is situated across Ahmedabad district and Mehsana district of Gujarat state, India.

Thol Wildlife Sanctuary is a shallow water reservoir situated 25 km (15 mi) northwest of Ahmedabad and most popular birding place near Ahmedabad after Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary which is about 50 km (30 mi) from Thol Wildlife Sanctuary. Geographically Thol Wildlife Sanctuary falls in Mehsana district of North Gujarat. Kadi, a taluka headquarters of the district, is just 22 km (14 mi) away from the sanctuary. Thol Wildlife Sanctuary is a man-made(made by Sayajirao Gayakvad, Ruler of Baroda) irrigation tank built in 1912 with water storage capacity of 84,000,000 m³ and command area of 1450 ha and catchment area of 153 km².  The wetland is predominated by the open water habitat, which is surrounded by cropland, fallow land and scrub land. Due to its popularity amongst the bird fraternity the area was notified as Sanctuary in November 1988 under Sec. 18 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The rich bird life of Thol Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses of native as well as migratory birds. Many winter visitors like great white pelikans, flamingos, a variety of waterfowl including mallards and large numbers of geese, sarus cranes and many other waders are common site at sanctuary. The best time to visit the place is November to February.

There has never been a night which could defeat the sunrise

a perfect shot

the main attraction at THOL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Initializing its flight

Moving towards dry areas as the water starts heating up

Standing sraight and tall

*click on the image to view it larger

Can we ‘JUDGE’ a government in an year?

Going by macro-numbers, the Narendra Modi government has a lot to cheer as it enters its second year. Falling deficit both on the current account and fiscal fronts, and rising foreign exchange reserves should be cause for relief, even rejoicing. Both core and retail inflation rates have eased, prompting the Reserve Bank of India to cut repo rates twice this year. Reading these trends in tandem with the rise in indirect tax collections and a marginal drop in the levels of non-performing assets, a confident Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, suggested last week that better days are really round the corner. There have also been significant reform initiatives in the area of foreign direct investment covering sectors such as insurance, defence, railways and construction. Labour law reforms and relaxation of rules for investment by new categories of Indians living abroad have all been quietly pushed through amid the daily din in Parliament. The successful auctioning of coal mine leases and spectrum, thereby setting the stage for a transparent policy regime, is noteworthy. However, the government’s inability to push two crucial pieces of legislation — the land bill and the GST bill — has reflected poorly on its legislative management skills. This has also revealed an unhealthy, ‘my-way-only’ attitude in a democratic set-up.

Despite all the positives, there is this sense of restlessness perceptible on the ground. While largely conceding this, Mr. Jaitley has sought to explain it away, attributing any such impatience to the fact that “the country wants to grow even faster”. But is there anything wrong in people pitching their aspirations high? Expectations rose several notches especially after Mr. Modi pegged a high-voltage poll campaign on an allegedly ‘non-performing’ United Progressive Alliance government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh. While claiming that the “expectations from the Modi government were realistic”, Mr. Jaitley has put the blame on a recalcitrant Opposition, which, according to him, has put many a roadblock before the government’s efforts to fulfil its mandate. In fact, he has given his own government a pat on the back for being decisive in the face of obstructionism. But the moot point is this: Why is it that great expectations have so quickly given way to a feeling of impatience, all within the span of a year? The positive sentiment is slowly evaporating. Pick-up in domestic demand and a recovery in the investment cycle are not happening. The ‘X-Factor’ is just not there, as one industrialist put it. An answer to this situation could lie in an initiative that would see the government taking the lead-spender role, kick-starting an economy in slumber. A little bit of socialistic spending is a necessity given the size and structure of the Indian economy.