Rama Krishna Sangem
Why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on arrest and of trial of Venezuela president Maduro and his wife by the US? Usually very vocal on such major developments, Modi is tight-lipped this time. The only statement we got on this is from our external affairs ministry (not even minister) merely expressing concern over the “recent developments in Venezuela”.
There was no mention of the US or President Trump in the statement. This is somewhat ironical stance taken by India and PM Modi. We are neither here nor there, it appears. The UK and staunch allies of the US like Israel have defended the arrest of Maduro, while many others like China, Cuba and Russia have strongly condemned it.
India which aspires to be voice of the Global South, meaning the developing counties in the world, should have been clearer and louder on this issue. Abrupt raid and arrest of a sitting president of a sovereign country by another and commencing trial in its jurisdiction should have demanded a detailed response. We must not forget that most of BRICS countries have condemned the arrest of Maduro.
Modi is worried over deal with the US
Clearly, the PM is eagerly waiting for a trade deal with the US, which is hanging fire since October last year. India faces 50 per cent tariff from America, which is causing unbearable harm to our local markets. Foreign investors are pulling out their funds, rupee is falling its value against the US dollar, now nearing 91.
Any harsh statement or response from India that may not be liked by Trump would further cost us. It may further delay our trade deal with the US. Every single week’s delay in signing of a trade deal with the US causes immense damage to us. India is eagerly waiting for a deal with the US.
Of course, elaborate talks on the deal are almost over and a draft is now lying on the table of President Trump in White House. Trump has seen it but not in a hurry to sign it, a final approval. Reasons for this are not clear, but many analysts who know well the subject say he wants more concessions from India, not trade related.
This is clear from his comments on Jan 5, while flying from Florida to Washington DC that India and Modi should do more to please him. Trump even threatened to impose more tariffs on India, if it fails to completely stop oil imports from Russia. In this situation, Modi cannot afford to talk more on Venezuela and anger Trump.
Why our hands are tied?
Bharat wants to be the Viswaguru to the world. Modi too coined a phrase saying This is not the era of war. But unfortunately, we are unable to express our views whenever wars or armed conflicts happen in the world. We are compelled to either stay neutral or balanced. We never take sides, but say, we are on the side of peace. We say, all issues must be solved through talks.
We know, talks are not always possible. We replied to Pakistan with Operation Sindoor to Pahalgam. Even the UN too is remaining a spectator in such conflicts. Analysts are are of the view that Russia and China would be too happy to copy the playbook of Trump on Venezuela, for their plans on Ukraine and Taiwan.
India should not be confined to merely evacuating Indian from the strike torn countries and issuing a “Please all”, or “Don’t hurt any” statements. To that, we must have enough economic power. Only countries that have economic power and military might in the present world can assert themselves and express their feelings freely. When will we be that?
