India's Foreign Policy : News, Views and Discussion

[Subgradewalker]

The Chinese foreign policy is to grab the land. Do you have that policy? They have made certain with their long term strategic interest about their behavior with the other nations where they want to do the land grab. Their foreign policy doesn't flicker and contradict.

So the Indians realized that that was a wrong move to ignore Maldives or what, Indians need them more than Maldives need India? LOL!!

Our policy is to safeguard our Maritime interest. I would say with how the govt handled Maldives issue shows that it did not flicker at all. Rather than a visit, why don't you just do a quick search as to what happened after the issue. You have seemed to just stick yourself to lakshadweep and Male comparison, forgoing any other development that took place.
When did India ignore Maldives? C'mon, atleast don't lie to further your narrative.
Your whole argument shows lack of understanding about the foreign policy beyond a incident.

Maldives prez has literally visited India twice after china rejected his pleas for rolling bad debt. Man! Despite what you might like to believe the people in power across the world know and realise who needs whom.
It's same with India. India is also making it so that USA considers it crucial against China. Do you see how with trump agressive tarrifs policy both China and India border relations started thawing.. That's why I say diplomacy is ever evolving.
Both India and China knows they are not friends. But they show a working relationship to further their interest.

Remember, it's not INDIA vs CHINA.
It's USA vs China. India has just started laying the foundation in lasy couple of decades. Mostly after 1991.

Get milked again and again. That's your policy is. Where has Chinese milk them the otherway.

Chinese economy and banks are literally under pressure from bad loans and investment projects under its BRI initiative. Nations have literally cancelled projects after what happened in Srilanka. You think India and USA had no part in creating this understanding that chinese loans are debt trap and a form of neo colonialism? China have increasingly refused to give loans and grants to nations now. But did they gain nothing out of it? Who would you say milked whom? The nation that got roads but had to make up for it in other chinese interests or the chinese who made a lot of bad investment and got their reputation ruined but got strategic gains into Africa and IOR?

And how is India being milked? Again, policy will outlast muizzu. The opposition in male is pro-india.. so they clearly have population support. That population support is important for India. Not muizzu.

You know how India in times of Congress ofc saved Maldives from a coup. Which set the foundation of our relationship with Maldives. Those were the times when congress meant something and had good people in it.

Again, be constructive.

When Indian citizens have decided and given a mandate why to overrule it by promising infrastructure to them to boost their tourism? More over The PM himself went there. If they had to do it, then should have kept low profile, why promoting Maldives?

1st condition should have been return of soldiers to the Maldives. And only then PM should have gone there.

Have you any idea of how diplomacy works? Maldives is a sovereign nation with its own domestic politics.
Oh. PM should go only when soldiers were back.. I bet if PM demanded that you would be the first to criticise him for demanding that and being insensitive, selfish etc etc.. Cmon, you can do better than this.

Promoting Maldives? No, govt is promoting the relationship. Optics is not just for you. It's for the world.

Optics say it clearly, go to Maldives.

PM inaugurated their defense building. Does the optics also say that Male's defense is controlled by India now? ...
Again.. our relationship will outlast muizzu.
Infra assistance is limited to tourism? Infact tourism was the least prioritised agenda in the statement. Did you read muizzus statement. How assistance will help in healthcare, education etc etc.
So, optics eh?

You give me in writing first that this was the last time Maldives went into Chinese Pakistani axis. It's not about me and you it is about foreign policy and national security.

Exactly it's about foreign policy and national interest. You give me in writing that anything that happened went against our national interest?

C'mon! Now you're grasping into straws

 

[Subgradewalker]

The mandate of Indian citizens should have been respected, and not thrown into dustbin by going there. The visit should have been a low profile visit by MOS Foreign affairs. Modi Ji is a brand name and if he himself goes there, that means he is promoting the Indo Maldives relation, in which tourism is also a part of it.

Yeah. Ofcourse he is promoting indo Maldives relation. Why wouldn't he. He is PM of India. The message isn't limited to you and me.

China also got the message. Maldives people got the message. Any good image of india among Maldives population result in pro india stance and increased voteshare of opposition party in Maldives.

I don't think a mandate was ever held for indo-maldives relations. Was it ever? You mean elections? Are you saying it was fought on indo-maldives issue? I don't remember any comment by any party which would imply that.

Forgotten the shoes thrown at Bush and Obama? Learn to take tough decisions and not just get emotional. The foreign policy doesn't change.


Get your man in place of that Muzzie.

Oh. Was the show thrown by a foreign parliamentarian? I didn't know!

Get your man in place of that Muzzie.

.. how? By not visiting there? It's still a democratic nation. Maybe we will get that man in next elections. If that happens, I will wait for your praise for govt.

 

[screambowl]

Our policy is to safeguard our Maritime interest.

Oh so you mean if you do not appease Maldives then your Maritime security is under threat are you saying this?

The why boycott tourism first place and do a photo session in Lakshadweep?

I would say with how the govt handled Maldives issue shows that it did not flicker at all.

Why appeasing Maldives after all that tamasha on social media to promote Lakshwadeep?

Have you any idea of how diplomacy works?

Yeah make a statement that this is not an era of war, yuddh and budhh and then end up firing missiles. Who will respect these words? The other nations are also monitoring.

There is an aggressive foreign policy compared to previous governments no doubt, it's good. But such kind of blunders must be avoided in future.

PM inaugurated their defense building. Does the optics also say that Male's defense is controlled by India now? ...
Again.. our relationship will outlast muizzu.
Infra assistance is limited to tourism? Infact tourism was the least prioritised agenda in the statement. Did you read muizzus statement. How assistance will help in healthcare, education etc etc.
So, optics eh?

This is not a permanent solution. You had your soldiers presence there, they move them out. It also means in future it is again possible. Maldives also know how to get Indians to work for them. PM should have not visited them, I repeat MOS Foreign Minister should have done it.

By not visiting there? It's still a democratic nation. Maybe we will get that man in next elections. If that happens, I will wait for your praise for govt.

Yeah we will see. At least you agree on this. I already praised above for their aggressive foreign policy where ever it was required. But this particular visit was not necessary.

 

[screambowl]

Chinese economy and banks are literally under pressure from bad loans and investment projects under its BRI initiative.

Chinese have accumulated enough natural resources to compensate it.

And how is India being milked? Again, policy will outlast muizzu. The opposition in male is pro-india.. so they clearly have population support. That population support is important for India. Not muizzu.

You know how India in times of Congress ofc saved Maldives from a coup. Which set the foundation of our relationship with Maldives. Those were the times when congress meant something and had good people in it.

As I said, no permanent solution, it only means vulnerability has been there always.

 

[Subgradewalker]

Oh so you mean if you do not appease Maldives then your Maritime security is under threat are you saying this?

The why boycott tourism first place and do a photo session in Lakshadweep?



Why appeasing Maldives after all that tamasha on social media to promote Lakshwadeep?



Yeah make a statement that this is not an era of war, yuddh and budhh and then end up firing missiles. Who will respect these words? The other nations are also monitoring.

There is an aggressive foreign policy compared to previous governments no doubt, it's good. But such kind of blunders must be avoided in future.


This is not a permanent solution. You had your soldiers presence there, they move them out. It also means in future it is again possible. Maldives also know how to get Indians to work for them. PM should have not visited them, I repeat MOS Foreign Minister should have done it.


Yeah we will see. At least you agree on this. I already praised above for their aggressive foreign policy where ever it was required. But this particular visit was not necessary.

Oh so you mean if you do not appease Maldives then your Maritime security is under threat are you saying this?

The why boycott tourism first place and do a photo session in Lakshadweep?

Again, appease? When did we appease? If you look at last one year, even the visit.. it's Maldives who have increasingly appeared india.

Did you see the whole cabinet came to receive PM. That looks like appeasement more, doesn't it? You think muizzu wanted to? No lol, but he had to do it.. to appease.. to get funds.. and save his politics and voteshare which would've gone downhill without India's help. With this, you have increased your hold, not lessened it.
And at same time, stopped malè from having a chinese sub docked like hambantota in near future.

This is not a permanent solution. You had your soldiers presence there, they move them out. It also means in future it is again possible. Maldives also know how to get Indians to work for them. PM should have not visited them, I repeat MOS Foreign Minister should have done it.

The whole point of the visit was optics for International politics. Not domestic. What impact would MoS have? Would cabinet come for him? The same cabinet which came to power on india out campaign now has to make arrangements and be there for welcoming india. Remember it's not Modi. It's PM of INDIA. Foreign nations see India's presence in IOR. Not BJPs.

As for soldiers, there were two helicopters a def some systems for ISR. The soldiers were replaced by "civilians". The systems were not. And I am sure the "civilian" sent know how to operate existing systems.
Our soldiers didn't have a military base there. Only a handful to maintain some rescue operation. And that will continue. And since you said they can go again, then maybe they will. We have already got Navy's increased presence by utilising Lakshadweep islands and Andaman and Nicobar.

As I said, no permanent solution, it only means vulnerability has been there always

There is no "permanent" solution except forcefully annexing it, which in itself isn't a solution. USA defeated USSR but Russia rose and challenged it again. Was it a permanent solution? So, did USA lose out?

No, and it will be far too premature for us to know what a permanent solution looks like when nations themselves aren't permanent. USA wasn't there always, neither will it be. So this "permanent" solution doesn't exist.

Even China doesn't have "permanent" solution for its geographical issues.

Chinese have accumulated enough natural resources to compensate it.

The point was about milking. Not if China can afford it. Even india can afford it. Whats your point ?

Yeah make a statement that this is not an era of war, yuddh and budhh and then end up firing missiles. Who will respect these words? The other nations are also monitoring.

There is an aggressive foreign policy compared to previous governments no doubt, it's good. But such kind of blunders must be avoided in future.

Respect? You know who foreign nations respect ? The strong.

APJ abdul kalam said it beautifully during an interview.. " Strength respects strength" rest budh, yudh is what you call political correctness in international forum.
Russia also talks about sovereignty before invading ukraine. China talks about ending terrorism while supporting pak. Obama gets nobel peace prize while bombing iraq. And Trump wants a novel prize and stop USA from intervention in foreign soil while bombing Iran.

You think the world respected India when pakistani terrorist bombed us, when they attacked Taj hotel and the govt didn't retaliate. You think that bought respect ? Not it just made india seem like a pushover.

You think nations will not respect cause mosi said no war while bombing pak. Nah! They will just take him seriously even more.

World doesn't run on respect. It runs on strength and how serious the world takes you.

Just think from international and even chinese perspective. What did they must have thought how india will respond after pahalgam.. maybe like balakot.. maybe small skirmish. I bet even china didn't think that we will bomb in the heart of Pakistan. It would've have changed their whole calculation regarding India. Even USA wouldn't have thought we would do that. Heck even I didn't think of it. Attacking pok and attacking Rawalpindi is completely different game. The intelligence community right now will still be recalculating India's will and prowess after op sindoor.

Let's see how the future will unfold.. but mind you, op sindoor was much more than bombing 9 targets. It was about telling the world and China.. that it could very well have a hot war near it's borders. And China will definitely not want it.

And there will definitely be further provocatiion by pak on behest of china. To test us. And that's where present comes in. India needs to beef up it's power that next time you give even a better thrashing. To render any chinese calculation null and void. For that, we need constructive dialogue here and a push to govt for increasing strength. Not saying why stop war.. but asking, what are you doing for the next inevitable one.

 

[South block]

Most sane debate I have ever seen on ANI podcast

 

[Shan]

Philippines President Marcos to visit India next week

Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to visit India next week to further strengthen ties between Manila and New Delhi. Ties have grown significantly, especially in the defence domain between the 2 countries.

www.wionews.com

Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to visit India next week to further strengthen ties between Manila and New Delhi. Ties have grown significantly, especially in the defence domain between the 2 countries. The Philippines was the first foreign customer of India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles in 2022, even as both have upped the engagement in the maritime domain with coast guard cooperation.

 

[babablacksheep]

Philippines President Marcos to visit India next week

Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to visit India next week to further strengthen ties between Manila and New Delhi. Ties have grown significantly, especially in the defence domain between the 2 countries.

www.wionews.com

Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to visit India next week to further strengthen ties between Manila and New Delhi. Ties have grown significantly, especially in the defence domain between the 2 countries. The Philippines was the first foreign customer of India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles in 2022, even as both have upped the engagement in the maritime domain with coast guard cooperation.

I think we should Delay by 1 more week, then its 15 August.
GUEST OF HONOUR treatment.
Then

 

[Shan]

An idealistic leadership, weak economy, poor equipment, and a lackadaisical approach to military infrastructure. This is what you will get in this neighbourhood. I hope the UPSC lot waked up and understands that they do not reside in South East Asia or South Western Europe.

 

[Shan]

Pretty good take. It is always about trade negotiations and economic interests. Anybody who is naive to think that a country has to tune their foreign policy around something else with the current state of the world has to read a little bit more.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1950623695321326078

 

[jmaxwell_]

An excellent talk by a western comparative sociologist who challenges how the west ranks democracy in India. He suggests that the data shows objectively India is a strong democracy, but vested interests have much to gain by subjectively maligning it as authoritarian. He also suggests that the Hindu religion has innate Democratic liberal tendencies which underpin Indian democracy -- as opposed to Western democracy which is underpinned by a bourgeois that is directly opposed to religion since western religions tend to be innately anti-democratic.

A refreshing watch, please watch and give it a like.

 

[thinkingcap81]

Here's our neighbourhood - Bangladesh against us, Trump supporting Pakistan, unfriendly Nepal, Bhutan under Chinese pressure, neutral Sri Lanka and Maldives. Something must be majorly wrong somewhere.

 

[Subgradewalker]

Here's our neighbourhood - Bangladesh against us, Trump supporting Pakistan, unfriendly Nepal, Bhutan under Chinese pressure, neutral Sri Lanka and Maldives. Something must be majorly wrong somewhere.

Look at Chinese neighborhood. Or Russian. Or USA during its rise. Or USSR of past.
You will get your answer. It's called great power politics/game.
Appeasement got us nowhere, only verbal sympathy and talk no bite.
Our action has brought srilanka and Maldives from pro-china/pak to neutral with pro-india stance increasing. Look at history of lanka-pak relationship.

Nepal is not unfriendly.. They are now coming back to sense after getting illusioned by the prospects of billions of dollars Chinese promised and millions transferred to politicians. It's classic chinese handbook for BRI.

Bangladesh is a deeper issue with roots in religion, more than state-state.
As for US,China.. welcome to the great game. It's chess and we aren't the only one making moves.

Ah! Don't forget about EU and others. While the bonhomie with Trump either. If you wanna criticise without studying such a complex topic like International Politics.. means you've been had.

 

[Subgradewalker]

Here's our neighbourhood - Bangladesh against us, Trump supporting Pakistan, unfriendly Nepal, Bhutan under Chinese pressure, neutral Sri Lanka and Maldives. Something must be majorly wrong somewhere.

I copy pasted your message in perplexity via anthropic reasoning model. Word to word. Here's what I got as an answer..

Here's our neighbourhood - Bangladesh against us, Trump supporting Pakistan, unfriendly Nepal, Bhutan under Chinese pressure, neutral Sri Lanka and Maldives. Something must be majorly wrong somewhere.

Looking at India's current neighborhood dynamics, you're highlighting a genuinely concerning pattern that reflects deeper structural challenges in South Asian geopolitics rather than just tactical diplomatic missteps.

## The Current Reality

**Bangladesh** is indeed going through what officials call a "readjustment phase" in relations with India[1]. Since the interim government under Muhammad Yunus took power after Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024, there's been a clear pivot toward China and Pakistan. Yunus's March 2025 visit to China, where he described India's northeast as "landlocked" and suggested Chinese access through Bangladesh, was seen as strategically provocative by New Delhi[2]. India has responded with trade restrictions on Bangladeshi garments and blocked access to the northeast market[2].

**Pakistan** has found an unlikely ally in Trump's claims of mediating the India-Pakistan conflict. While India maintains the ceasefire was achieved through direct military talks without US mediation[3], Trump's repeated assertions that he "helped settle" tensions by promising trade benefits have given Pakistan diplomatic cover[4][5].

**Nepal** presents perhaps the starkest example of the buffer state collapse. Despite documenting Chinese border infringements in Humla district - including fortifications, surveillance cameras, and restrictions on ethnic Tibetans - Nepal's Communist-led government has censored reports and remained silent to preserve economic ties with China[6]. This contrasts sharply with Nepal's vocal stance on border disputes with India over Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura[6].

**Bhutan**, despite its historical security dependence on India, faces Chinese settlements in disputed areas following the 2017 Doklam crisis[6]. China's actions align with what experts call Mao Zedong's vision of Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh as the "five fingers" of Tibet[6].

**Sri Lanka** has adopted strict neutrality, with officials stating they won't allow their territory to be used by any country against another[7]. The Maldives, after a period of "India Out" rhetoric, has recently reset relations following Modi's July 2025 visit, but maintains strategic autonomy[8][9].

## What's Going Wrong?

The fundamental issue isn't necessarily India's diplomatic approach, but rather **structural asymmetries** that China exploits effectively:

**Economic Leverage**: China offers substantial infrastructure investments through the Belt and Road Initiative without the complex conditions India often attaches. Nepal's trade with China increased fivefold from 2009 to 2012[6], while Bangladesh has seen significant Chinese investment in 15 northern districts[6].

**Non-Interference Narrative**: China presents itself as offering economic partnership without political interference, contrasting with India's historical involvement in domestic politics of neighboring countries. This narrative resonates particularly in countries like Nepal and Bangladesh where anti-India sentiment exists[10].

**Geographic Realities**: India's neighborhood policy faces the challenge that these countries have limited options for diversification, making them naturally seek alternative partnerships to balance Indian influence.

**Historical Baggage**: Unlike China, India carries the burden of past interventions and disputes that create domestic constituencies opposed to closer ties[10].

## The Deeper Challenge

The pattern you're observing reflects what analysts call the collapse of India's "Himalayan buffer"[6]. This isn't necessarily about policy failures but about China's systematic strategy to alter the regional balance through what experts term "salami-slicing" tactics - gradual encroachments that change facts on the ground without triggering direct conflict[6].

The situation demands recognition that traditional buffer state concepts may be outdated in an era where smaller nations actively seek strategic autonomy rather than alignment with regional powers. India's challenge is adapting to neighbors who want partnership, not patronage, while China offers precisely that narrative - even if the reality may prove different over time.

Rather than something being "majorly wrong," this represents the natural evolution of a multipolar regional order where smaller states exercise greater agency, often at the expense of traditional regional hegemon influence.

Note: China's salami slicing has roots since time of Mao. Border areas infrastructure were neglected by successive govts untill 2014 and became main focus after 2020.
Hence you also see an aggressive China. All the projects that you see certain someone flag in media saying China encroachment were captured during 1958-1963.

So, before parroting a headline or statement.. just study a bit more deeply about the issue.
We are in strategic forum..

 

[thinkingcap81]

Let there be great-power games, and definitely i agree that there should be no unnecessary meekness from us. I was pointing out our neighbourhood problems. We must not fall into the trap of a one-dimensional thought of blaming external forces, but also spend time on thinking why all our neighbours are not dependable (except maybe Bhutan).

Consider this - any powerful person will have at least some people wagging their tails, and more people will be neutral or telling positive things publicly. This feature is less than satisfactory for us and points to some kind of diplomatic failure.

All the countries you have mentioned have behaved in an imposing way and hence are / were disliked. Who likes such a country?

Anyways, i know that my opinion is not well-received. So i won't continue further.

 

[thinkingcap81]

I copy pasted your message in perplexity via anthropic reasoning model. Word to word. Here's what I got as an answer..

## What's Going Wrong?

The fundamental issue isn't necessarily India's diplomatic approach, but rather **structural asymmetries** that China exploits effectively:

**Non-Interference Narrative**: China presents itself as offering economic partnership without political interference, contrasting with India's historical involvement in domestic politics of neighboring countries. This narrative resonates particularly in countries like Nepal and Bangladesh where anti-India sentiment exists[10].

I'm violating my own statement of not continuing this discussion because of Perplexity's answers.

Perplexity's replies also have a component that support my views.

We were unable to reach out on time and reduce their anti-India views. Bangladesh has, as you said, a religious angle. Plus we were actively supporting a much-disliked Sheikh Hasina givernment. The Nepal blockade has not served us well. We were perceived as a bully just like we dislike Trump's actions now. So it is a diplomatic failure.

**Geographic Realities**: India's neighborhood policy faces the challenge that these countries have limited options for diversification, making them naturally seek alternative partnerships to balance Indian influence.

Their strategy to balance India does not provide a cover for an unfriendly attitude. Again a failure from our side.

**Historical Baggage**: Unlike China, India carries the burden of past interventions and disputes that create domestic constituencies opposed to closer ties[10].

Absolutely correctly said. We acted like a big brother bossing around - long before BJP came to power. You're assuming that i am repeating Rahul Gandhi's lines. That's not the case. RG and other Congress netas will not speak about the Congress' past and present mistakes, as is the case with BJP, Communists, Mamata Banerjee, Yadavs, Mayawati, etc. How else will politicians behave? But we have information in our hands - we can think.

## The Deeper Challenge

... India's challenge is adapting to neighbors who want partnership, not patronage, while China offers precisely that narrative - even if the reality may prove different over time. ...

So we're perceived as not being equal partners, while being unable to counter a successful Chinese narrative despite the Chinese version not being true. If this is not a failure, then what is?

So, before parroting a headline or statement.. just study a bit more deeply about the issue.

Rather, my reply to you is to reconsider what you are assuming about me.

 

[Subgradewalker]

Consider this - any powerful person will have at least some people wagging their tails, and more people will be neutral or telling positive things publicly. This feature is less than satisfactory for us and points to some kind of diplomatic failure.

I will answer you question with another question.
Who is more powerful? China or India? You should get your answer.

All the countries you have mentioned have behaved in an imposing way and hence are / were disliked. Who likes such a country?

It's called big brother syndrome. For this you will need to turn back the dial of time and look into the conflict with srilanka and LTTE. Look at Nepal's history and how it went from right to left encouraged by India even.
Bhutan is one where we are on backfoot due to neglect of border infrastructure for decades. One defense minister even said that it's better to not develop it. When we started building projects, doklam happened. As our prowess increases, we will be able to provide better security cover to Bhutan.
Pakistan-Bangladesh shouldn't require me to point out anything much, correct?
It's easy to have one sided pov and claim failure. When the history tells us the burden of past india carries and the one responsible for them. It's not MEA.

Infact our strategy made serious inroads in srilanka which in past used to be anti India.
Need more information? Views are welcome.. a pakistani like mentality with brainwashed narrative ( Safriz) is also welcome .. but please expect response too.

Note: the Safriz remark is for a special individual we have. Not you

 

[Hydra]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1954910728856760620

 

[Subgradewalker]

We were unable to reach out on time and reduce their anti-India views. Bangladesh has, as you said, a religious angle. Plus we were actively supporting a much-disliked Sheikh Hasina givernment. The Nepal blockade has not served us well. We were perceived as a bully just like we dislike Trump's actions now. So it is a diplomatic failure.

Hmm.. let's take it step by step chronologically. First of all, your assessment that we should've worked to reduce anti India views is absolutely correct. But then it's about..
who had the time? I ask so because :

Nepal blockade happened in 2015. By then Nepal was hijacked by Chinese backed communist who went as far as changing constitution affecting a whole section of society.

India-bangladesh border exchanges happened during 2014-2019. Which eased hasinas attitude and let indian projects for connectivity start.

Who else will we support? Anti-india faction? And we didn't support by actively providing weapons of something. It was her decision to give order for shooting. Not ours. Why are you holding indian policy makers responsible for her reckless handling.

And it wasn't about diplomacy but about ISI-MSS vs our agencies. And the religious factor favors ISI. After all even if they got independence from Pakistan, they are still the people who voted to create a state based on religion. And several leaders before hasina and very anti India views.

So, in retrospect.. Nepal was communist long before current MEA corps and add BRI money on top of it.

Their strategy to balance India does not provide a cover for an unfriendly attitude. Again a failure from our side.

Heh? Didn't I give you historical examples. It's only unfriendly from our perspective. Same as from Chinese perspective Taiwan, Japan, philippines are very unfriendly by balancing them through USA.

Among your examples.. currently only bangladesh is showing unfriendly attitude on rise while Nepal is toning it down.

One more thing, diplomacy isn't just about talks. It's also about sending messages. And that was OP Sindoor. You bet that both bangladeshi and nepali establishment must have gotten sober after it. Realising the consequences of becoming a battlefield for a third party. Especially bangladesh. And it's not limited to India-China but also USA due to Myanmar issue. Bangladesh has a lot of problems, India is the least of them. Cox bazar is becoming a hotbed day by day.

But we have information in our hands - we can think.

Yes we can. And that's what we should do here. THINK and Discuss. But discussion is futile if it's limited to one line critique ignoring the reality of IR.


Even mistakes by Congress ( not UPA) were very much due to factors arising from cold war politics. UPA was a disaster with no intent or clarity. They gave away the golden period after 1998 nuclear status we got. Could've actively solved border issues with nations except pak n China.

So, I look forward to some genuine ideas, policy initiatives etc that you might have regarding above issues.

 

[jmaxwell_]

Plus we were actively supporting a much-disliked Sheikh Hasina givernment.

I think the Indian diplomatic core handled Bangladesh rather poorly. There were basically two games at play:

- US intervention in Myanmar: China is arming both sides of the civil war so they can strip mine Myanmar's rare earth elements (REEs). The US was looking to intervene in the guise of a "humanitarian corridor" that the Hasina government was against. The US had to do what it had to do for its own national interests wrt REEs since Hasina wasn't being co-operative. It was in India's interest to have the US displace China from Myanmar (which frankly India should have done itself) and should have diplomatically resolved things with the Hasina government. Instead, India sat on the sidelines.

- Erasing Bangladeshi history by the ISI: How many times have we seen this playbook? The mullahs erase local history. Then brainwash the youth particularly from universities to rise up against the kafirs. Iran, Bangladesh, ... any country with a moon and a star on their flag ... same playbook. And this was with ISI going back and forth from Pakistan to Bangladesh. Did the babus help fund more museums where the youth of Bangladesh can learn about their history and what Pakistan did to them and instead of being fed anti-India rhetoric and ISI propaganda? Nope, just sat on the sidelines as things deteriorate.

But to give some credit, things are improving. Op Sindoor, the drone strike in Myanmar, the fixing things in Maldives, SriLanka, etc. are welcome signs of assertiveness and progress.