In a ‘divided world’, India and China can show the way

Hello Friends!
In his recent address, Prof. Amartya Sen points out that the ongoing recession could have been acutely disastrous, had there not been strong Chinese and Indian economies in place. “Indeed, China and India have managed to avoid the worst of the recession, so far”, says the Nobel Laureate. In an integrated world order where America has been functioning like an economic pivot, the two great civilizations (India and Chine), suddenly, find themselves burdened with new task of making the world into a better place for humanity at large. In no time, their optical expanse simultaneously circumnavigated the entire world.
This has been made abundantly clear that the present economic slowdown is not the normal ‘cyclic anomaly’ that gets resurrected every decade or so. This recession has more to do with various geo-political conflicts; it has something to do with the ‘war in minds’, and mistrust among nations and subtle formation of groupings with strong military intents.
The mindless desire of the former president, George W Bush, of wiping out the ugly blot on the illustrious career of his father (Bush Senior) as he failed to teach a proper lesson to Saddam Hussein, ended with an epical disaster. It was a Pyrrhic victory where the triumphant garland did soothe the aching heart of a proud father somehow, but strangled the beloved ‘motherland’ whose name the former president Bush so blissfully flaunted. The rope around Saddam’s neck proved to be a deadly noose for USA, and the world at large. Iraq War bled America white, and triggered this colossal recession. As per the world-renowned economist, a professor at Columbia University, and a Nobel Laureate, Joseph Stiglitz, America unilaterally pumped at least $3 Trillion into Iraq! The present financial and the accompanied credit crises are just the after-effects of the smouldering guns and hissing missiles hitting the ancient lands of Babylon. And the war on terror was never a genuine effort. It was laced with shifty desires settling many strategic conflicts of America with the world. When it required the much needed international backing, and staunch support in terms of countering the evil plans of terrorists, America was keener in resolving strategic conundrums in Latin America, South Asia, and Europe (around Anti-Missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republics).
In a mutilated world order, India and Chine can apply balms and show a renewed path of recovery, growth, and development to the rest of the world. The hope is sullied, but not down. Prof. Amartya Sen’s view on India and China’s role in mitigating the severity of the global economic crises brings with it a lot of possibilities where both the nations can put their unified efforts towards stabilizing the confidence of a confused world.
The India-Sino relations have tested the rigours of time. Since the times of Asoka, the Great, both the countries have had vibrant trade relationships. The old-silk-route acted as an important trading artery that added to the economic prowess and prosperity of both the nations. For major parts of the world history, both enjoyed mutual respect, encouragement, and favors in enhancing their international prestige, and standings. But, despite some ‘neighborly’ issues between Indian and China, circumstances have compelled both of them to think alike. Apart from the ongoing routine trade and transactions between Indian and China, both the countries, on several fronts, can work together.
Enjoy the Reading!!

Md. Qaisar Alam
qaisar@digitaledge-india.com