India in an Asian framework

By Sunil P’vee
Response Media

The Kuwait Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) organized a lecture on “India in an Asian Framework” by eminent Indian economist, author and politician Dr. Subramanian Swamy, on May 06, at the American University of Kuwait (AUK). 

Dr. Swamy, who was in Kuwait at the invitation of AUK, is a visiting professor at Harvard Summer School from where he received his doctorate in 1964. A veteran Indian Parliamentarian and a Union Cabinet Minister on more than one occasion, he is known for his efforts in normalizing India's relations with China and Israel. Well-versed in Chinese Mandarin, he is considered an authority on the comparative study of India and China and is the author of several books.

Dr. Swamy began his lecture by saying that India has a long history of strong relations with the other countries of Asia. “To know India you have to go to Western Asia, to Central Asia, to China and Japan and to the countries of Southeast Asia. There you will find significant evidence of the magnificence of India’s ancient culture which spread out and influenced vast numbers of people in the region,” he said.

India’s attempt to assert Asian unity was first made in 1947, when the Indian Council of World Affairs organized the first Asian Relations Conference. Speaking at the conference Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said that one of the consequences of European domination of Asia was the isolation of the countries of Asia from one another. Describing the Conference as an expression of that deeper urge of mind and spirit of Asia to come together, he added, “For too long we of Asia have been petitioners in the Western courts and chancelleries. That story must now belong to the past.”

But in the intervening forty years, until 1987, India’s relations with its Asian neighbors remained at best sluggish. According to Dr. Swamy if India is to once again play a meaningful role within the Asian framework, then it has to join hands with the other Asian giant, China. “Though we have had our differences in the past, the future demands that we collaborate with China. While we could differ on defense, human rights and a lot of other issues, when it comes to building the framework for better business relations with countries in the region, we have to leverage the significant synergies that exist between India and China.”

Dr. Swamy elaborated by saying that much of prosperous East Asia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and others have a large Chinese population who form a powerful market savvy community that influences political policies in those countries. “We are no match for the influential clout exerted by the Chinese diaspora in these countries,” he said, “Though our idiom and ideology are quite different, in order to integrate successfully into an Asian framework, we need to examine the various scopes for reaching mutual understanding with China.”

However, Dr. Swamy cautioned against unrealistic expectations, “Trade is built on relationships, but defense is based on capability, so while we pursue building better relations with China, we should not neglect our deterrent capabilities.” He went on to add that India also needed to mend its strained relationship with all its neighbors. “We have to somehow learn to work and engage with our neighbors. One reason often cited by many our neighbors, is the overbearing attitude of our bureaucrats. While we have some of the best qualified bureaucrats they are often led by some of the least qualified politicians, and frequently this leads to wrong decisions being implemented in the right way to the detriment of our relations with our neighbors.

Turning to West Asia, Dr Swamy pointed out our interaction with two of the dominant players in the arena, Iran and Israel sometimes put us at odds with the rest of the region. For one, Israel is our principal arms supplier and our strong defense ties to that country places barriers in our relations with the rest of the Arab world. Similarly our close geo-political links with Iran, which is at loggerheads with the West over its nuclear program, does not really engender us with the West or for that matter to the rest of the countries in the area.

Dr. Swamy said that India needs to have a mind-set change to emerge as a major economic power. If India can make changes in agriculture and have three annual crop harvests instead of the current one, we can become the world's leading supplier of food.  Similarly, if India can improve its infrastructure and have pro-business rules and regulations, it will be able to attract more trade and commerce from South East Asian countries. 
A distinct advantage that India enjoys in fitting into the Asian Framework is our population, opined Dr. Swamy. “In the knowledge-based economy of the 21st Century, the fact that India has one of the largest young population in the world is decidedly a factor in our favor. By 2040, while much of Europe, America, China and Japan will be struggling with an aging population and large deficits in their pension schemes, India will have a knowledge-skilled vibrant young population. However, to ensure the success of that generation we need to improve our educational infrastructure to keep abreast of latest advancements. “

Concluding his lecture, Dr. Swamy said, for India to succeed in an Asian framework we need to work on two fronts. To make inroads into East Asia we need to build on our relations with neighboring states and collaborate pragmatically with China. And in West Asia, we need to work together with the United States to develop and build our strategic interests in that region. But to do both of these successfully we need to build necessary infrastructure, develop our human capital and, equally importantly, change the mindset of our people, which for centuries has been imbued in a culture of playing it safe and is averse to any risk taking.

The lecture was presided over by CA. M.S.Mathew, Chairman of the Kuwait Chapter of ICAI. CA. Sriram Gopalakrishnan, Secretary introduced Dr. Swamy to the audience and CA. Noel Cherian as Master of Ceremonies managed the evening's programme. CA. Balvir Machado proposed the vote of thanks. CA. Sriram Gopalakrishan, who is leaving Kuwait, was presented a memento by the chief guest.