WHEN NARENDRA MODI SPEAKS, THE WORLD LISTENS, TRUSTS HIM...: DR CHANDRA

Responding to wide-ranging questions on Narendra Modi’s role at the SCO Summit, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra describes the Prime Minister as a global force, negotiator and mediator trusted by competing nations. He explains the possibilities and limitations of Modi’s diplomatic role, India’s growing strategic importance in Central Asia, and the symbolism of “car diplomacy” and Modi’s 36th international honour. The discussion examines his stand against cross-border terrorism, drug trafficking and the terror ecosystem, his message on the West Asia crisis, and the significance of the Modi-Xi-Putin photograph. Chandra also explains India’s red line on China’s BRI and calls the anti-terror declaration a diplomatic moment for India.

• The headline of today’s JC Show is, “MODI AT SCO: THE MAN…THE WORLD TRUSTS.” What does this finally mean? Has Narendra Modi really emerged as the new acceptable global voice as a mediator or negotiator?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: You are absolutely correct. Narendra Modi speaks, the world listens. Narendra Modi speaks, the world trusts. I think by now he is the only acceptable global voice to mediate or negotiate international issues such as Russia-Ukraine and others. Look at Russia. They want Narendra Modi. Look at Ukraine. They want Narendra Modi. And now even Iran wants Narendra Modi for peace talks. They are seeking Narendra Modi’s help. It is really a diplomacy miracle by Narendra Modi and a matter of pride for the country in international affairs that the country’s Prime Minister is such a person whom the entire world wants—everyone wishes they had a Narendra Modi of their own, or wants to bring him in so that issues can be sorted out. Narendra Modi has now truly become a global force, a global negotiator and, you can say, a global mediator. So this is the headline of the story.
• Does Narendra Modi, as a global negotiator for resolving international disputes, also have certain limitations?
  Of course, every person has limitations. The biggest limitation is that you cannot change the politics of another country. Second, the ground realities—whether it is giveand-take, borders, military deployment, or the question of moving forward or withdrawing—will ultimately be decided by those countries themselves. The most important contribution Narendra Modi can make is that he can bring both parties to the table for negotiations. He can create an atmosphere of friendship, a friendly environment, and say, “Come on, sit down and talk.” And Narendra Modi’s biggest achievement, his biggest task and his biggest mandate is precisely that. So, there are limitations, but the most important point is that he has the ability to bring at least both sides to the negotiating table. Both sides have trust and confidence in him. The rest, of course, are limitations that apply to everything.
• What is the role of India in the changing scenario of Central Asia?
  Look at India’s role in Central Asia. It is important because of the Taliban factor in Afghanistan. There is also the China factor. India’s digital payments and Indian technology and systems are present there. And by now, we can say that Central Asia has become a major and important part of India’s energy security architecture. All these are issues because of which India’s role in Central Asia is continuously increasing and becoming important. Central Asia is now occupying an important place in India’s foreign policy. Its role and importance for India to play in Central Asia are growing
• When Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Tashkent airport, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev broke protocol to receive him, and the two leaders left in the same car. How do you view this “car diplomacy”?
  Car diplomacy is now a fashion of the day to lure Narendra Modi or to attract Narendra Modi in a way. It has become a fashion when prominent leaders make him sit in their cars. Putin makes him sit in his car. There is a craze among smaller nations that Narendra Modi should sit in our car and travel with us. It has become a status symbol for these nations to have Narendra Modi sit in their car and take him along. Here, they travelled in the car together and remained together for 15 minutes. There was a function ahead, and they went there. They travelled by car all the way to the function. So, you can say this is nothing new—a traditional car diplomacy for Narendra Modi by the dignitaries of those countries. Precisely, we can say that Narendra Modi’s car diplomacy has by now become a fashion of global diplomacy.
• The President of Uzbekistan has conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi the country’s highest honour, the “Oli Darajali Dostlik”. This is Modi’s 36th international honour. What is its significance?
  It is nature, it is an extraordinary miracle. I had said the same thing last time as well—that there is a competition among nations over Narendra Modi: they want Narendra Modi to visit their countries and want to confer international honours on him, to give him international recognition. This visit is another link in the same chain. This is no more an exception. Modi is one of the most popular global leaders at the moment. And that is why wherever he goes, there is an attraction. The country he visits feels honoured and glorified by conferring an honour on him; it feels proud and overwhelmed. The same thing happened in this country as well.
• I have heard that PM Modi and the President of Uzbekistan had a very important discussion on cross-border terrorism. Would you like to say something about this?
  Very important. They have agreed to condemn cross-border terrorism and all forms of terrorism. The biggest achievement is that another country has joined this chain, or you can say, another nation has joined Narendra Modi’s campaign against terrorism. So, this is one more addition to Narendra Modi’s mandate to finish terrorism on this earth, on this globe. This is all.
• What was the main agenda of the 26th SCO Summit held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and what were the key points of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the SCO that drew the attention of all the nations? What did Prime Minister Narendra Modi say about the West Asia crisis at the SCO Summit?
  The most important point was that terrorism has to come to an end. The entire ecosystem that sustains terrorism—including its recruitment, funding and protectors—all of them have to be brought to law and brought to justice. The second important issue he spoke about was drug trafficking. The third important point he made was that terrorism and everything that is happening does not affect only one country. It is a global issue. We have to be very serious about sorting out this issue. So, basically, the discussion was about terrorism and drug trafficking. Apart from that, other issues and conflicts involving neighbouring countries were also discussed. It was a good bilateral meeting. As far as the West Asia crisis is concerned, his message was to “buy peace” and somehow put an end to the cruelty taking place there. Most importantly, what should be said is to ensure peace. What he meant was that the ongoing war in the Middle East and the issues and conflicts taking place there on a daily basis do not affect just one region. It affects the overall energy situation, the overall supply chain and the overall security of the world. So, he said these are not issues concerning just one country or one region. Everyone should come together to sort them out. It is in the larger interest of humanity.
• What is the message behind the powerful double-handshake photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin released during the SCO Summit?
  Its significance is, number one, that it represents a new world order. Number two, as I say, the new world order is basically aimed at Trump. The second aspect is the balancing act. And third is the re-emergence of Narendra Modi as a global leader. Look at the picture and see how powerful Narendra Modi’s face appears among the three leaders. That is the significance of this picture.
• Political observers believe that “India at SCO Summit, India draws a red line on China’s BRI.” What does this mean?
  It means that China has a policy these days of building roads and inter-corridors in different places. While building these corridors, it is said that development will take place in the region and connectivity will improve. Connectivity is described as a universal relief for every country. But what are China’s dubious intentions? It may create connectivity in such a way that it enters Tibet; it will create connectivity there and enter Nepal, or enter Bangladesh or Pakistan. So, when connectivity is dubious, Narendra Modi has effectively drawn a red signal over it. His position is that connectivity should be promoted, and that is a very good thing in the human interest and in the interest of the overall development of all nations—what is called connecting nations. But at the same time, you must keep in mind the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that particular nation. That was what he meant, which is a welcome move on the part of the Prime Minister.
• The anti-terror declaration issued at the SCO in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif is being described as a major diplomatic victory for Narendra Modi. Do you agree with this assessment?
  Absolutely. How significant is it that the Prime Minister of Pakistan, which is the birthplace, protector and supporter of terror, was sitting there while a resolution against terror was being passed in front of him, with Narendra Modi playing a key role in it? That is why one newspaper wrote it very well. It wrote that Narendra Modi seeks to dismantle terror infrastructure while Sharif sits and listens to Modi. It was a great diplomatic moment for India.
• Modi said at SCO Summit that “Terrorism can’t be a strategic asset.” What exactly was Narendra Modi trying to convey?
  He was making a very brilliant point. First, he said that no country should be allowed to exercise terrorism as a strategic asset. He said that countries that use terrorism as a weapon and make it part of their foreign policy will, sooner or later, suffer losses. This is a very dangerous signal. Clearly, he was referring to the way the Army and terrorists have become one in Pakistan. Terrorists are working in Pakistan as paramilitary forces of the Army. It appears as though, just as there is CISF here and BSF here, the same CISF and BSF have become terrorists there. They are attending their funerals, coming and going, and doing everything in that manner. So, he was saying that terrorism should not be exercised as a strategic asset.