An intellectual who carries off his fearless persona and
animated repartee with effortless panache, Arun Shourie lived up to the billing
perfectly at the Bangalore Literature Festival.
The former cabinet minister and veteran journalist's views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fierce focus on China and simmering Indo-Sino border relations were received with a standing ovation by a packed audience on Sunday, the last day of the festival. Excerpts:
* How effective will Modi's Chinese gameplan be?
We have to prove that we're serious about our own development and security. I sincerely hope he (Modi) doesn't think that increasing trade with China is going to defang it. China has large trade ties with Japan and the United States, but it is also determined to overcome America in dominance and influence. Unless we prepare ourselves to face China, we will only be left writing books.
* Modi has been aggressive in his speeches about Pakistan and China, but why aren't we seeing any change?
Options depend on capacity, rather than the rhetoric of an individual. Over the years, we've always deluded ourselves that if we keep talking sweetly, the dragon will become vegetarian. After 1971, Pakistan realized they cannot take us on in a frontal war. So General Zia ul-Haq devised this strategy of a proxy war, built a capacity and have succeeded for 20 years. We didn't build a counter-capacity to do a Kashmir in Balochistan. Maybe Modi spoke firmly about the border, but talking is not as effective as building capacity.
* Ironical that during the Indo-Sino talks, tensions were building on the border?
It's a crucial Chinese strategy — Claim, keep repeating the claim, grab, hold on and let time pass till the adversary gets used to it. China is India's long-term problem. Their determination to get Tawang is a powerful signal to Southeast Asia and the rest of the world that if India is not able to look after its own interests, what will it do to help you?
* Your thoughts on Jayalalithaa's conviction...
First, I want a safe passage to the airport (laughs). No case involving a public servant should take 18 years. This is a good move by Modi to dispose of such cases in a year. In cases involving public servants, there should be no adjournments. We must have confiscation of all assets, and not just those that are acquired through corruption. And we must involve physical incarceration and not just fines, with the person being barred from public life for ever.
The former cabinet minister and veteran journalist's views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fierce focus on China and simmering Indo-Sino border relations were received with a standing ovation by a packed audience on Sunday, the last day of the festival. Excerpts:
* How effective will Modi's Chinese gameplan be?
We have to prove that we're serious about our own development and security. I sincerely hope he (Modi) doesn't think that increasing trade with China is going to defang it. China has large trade ties with Japan and the United States, but it is also determined to overcome America in dominance and influence. Unless we prepare ourselves to face China, we will only be left writing books.
* Modi has been aggressive in his speeches about Pakistan and China, but why aren't we seeing any change?
Options depend on capacity, rather than the rhetoric of an individual. Over the years, we've always deluded ourselves that if we keep talking sweetly, the dragon will become vegetarian. After 1971, Pakistan realized they cannot take us on in a frontal war. So General Zia ul-Haq devised this strategy of a proxy war, built a capacity and have succeeded for 20 years. We didn't build a counter-capacity to do a Kashmir in Balochistan. Maybe Modi spoke firmly about the border, but talking is not as effective as building capacity.
* Ironical that during the Indo-Sino talks, tensions were building on the border?
It's a crucial Chinese strategy — Claim, keep repeating the claim, grab, hold on and let time pass till the adversary gets used to it. China is India's long-term problem. Their determination to get Tawang is a powerful signal to Southeast Asia and the rest of the world that if India is not able to look after its own interests, what will it do to help you?
* Your thoughts on Jayalalithaa's conviction...
First, I want a safe passage to the airport (laughs). No case involving a public servant should take 18 years. This is a good move by Modi to dispose of such cases in a year. In cases involving public servants, there should be no adjournments. We must have confiscation of all assets, and not just those that are acquired through corruption. And we must involve physical incarceration and not just fines, with the person being barred from public life for ever.
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