Vijay Hashia
He is no lesser than charismatic Napoleon, Churchill, Roosevelt, Mussolini, Martin Luthur King, Gandhi, Nehru, Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama, not to forget Swami Vivekananda who mesmerised Americans. Has he achieved cult status? The answer yes, ostensible from Madison Square Garden, where a rock star reception awaited him amidst an eclectic atmosphere. Was it a sweet revenge after visa denial in 2005, nine years later to which he returned with great aplomb and welcome! Never has an Indian PM had chance to address from MSG, the world’s most iconic ground, where he took the central stage. Going from India with an overwhelming mandate, the message he gave to Indo- American community, amidst announcing visa sops was to feel proud, return and make in India. He cooed the audience with democracy, demography and demand mantra; will not let down any if he invested in India and will do away with the spokes of bureaucratic laws, he assured NRIs.
Gone are the days when PMs spoke only about civilization but Modi conveyed point of India to the world. Unlike predecessors, the speech in UNGA contained a large message not limited to Pakistan. Mention of yoga, for example, he said, was not an exercise but for oneness, where nature is in unison with the Ultimate, therefore, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. He signalled reform of UNSC in the dynamic world order, placed India’s candidature for permanent seat in UNSC, did not directly blame Pakistan on cross border terrorism but asked for global frame work against terrorism. Linked talks with working together for Kashmir. There was only passing reference to China about its growing hegemony. India stood for peaceful global atmosphere, he emphasized on global ‘G’ order instead of multi ‘G’ order. The speech in UNGA has given United States and the world a bigger view, not limited to haves and have- nots.
He differentiated Nawaz’s stand on plebiscite with the message that India cannot be taken for granted and was not going to budge dictates of Pakistan. India stood for dialogue but not under the shadow of terrorism and uncongenial atmosphere. What Nawaz Sharief spoke in fourteen sentences, Modi replied in four sentences and in an appropriate manner. While Modi’s speech was a statesman’s narrative, partly delivered extempore and well balanced, taking fish out of water, Nawaz used usual rant over Kashmir, probably directed from the forts of Rawalpindi. Holistic of the message- the world peace and stability through philosophical outlook and practical approach that India believed in multilateralism, universal prosperity, brotherhood and justice.
Modi pitched for comprehensive convention on terrorism under the aegis of UNO as some states were using terror as an instrument of policy. The reference was indirectly made to deadly terrorist groups Al-Qaeda, ISISI, LeT and Boko Haram presently operating from Afganistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Nigeria and Somalia which are spreading tentacles to the entire globe. Referred to espionage and national security breaches where no country is free from protecting sensitive, proprietary and classified information. As is known, cyber warfare and sabotages are common in various countries, as in the past, China has been accused by Australia, Canada, India and USA which however, China denied but accused America in return.
America seeks good technology with cheap and skilled manpower which is available in India. West also looks India as counter to China while China wants to box her but India is a juggernaut, cannot be kept under Chinese will. Modi gave the message that India is a friend not an ally while Pak is an ally not a friend of America. The comprehensive speeches in UNGA and MSG reflected positive bottom line, from changing UN order to global responsibility and from strong conviction of wooing NRIs to ‘make in India’ without laggards of bureaucracy and these signs are considered, the superman has set out on a mission for tilting static global economic order to economic dynamism for 21st century which belongs to India.
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