After Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, Modi is the first global leader, who gets state banquet honour at world’s largest museum in Paris: Dr Chandra

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India & CMD, First India News, gives insightful details about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France and how he strengthened the decades old bond between India and France. Dr Chandra also stresses that Modi has once again proven himself to be right when it came to the purchase of Rafale fighters, this time for Indian Navy, how his efforts will bear opportunities for India’s youth and become the harbinger of globalisation of Indian Rupee. Excerpts… (Part-I)

• How successful was Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France? Do you see any difference between the foreign visits of the Prime Ministers of India before 2014 and after 2014?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: It was a completely successful trip in terms of defence deals and defence partnership, transfer of technology, blue economy, ocean governance and so on. In fact both the countries are celebrating the twenty fifth anniversary of their strategic relationship. As to the question about the difference of visits of former PMs, the basic difference is that Narendra Modi is a Prime Minister who dominates or dictates the deals. Earlier our situation used to be of one who would be asking for something, but now we are in the position akin to a boss. Australian PM called PM Modi a boss, US President Biden sought Modi’s autograph and PM of Papua New-Guinea touched Modi’s feet. So basically, the entire scenario has changed. The other important aspect in foreign affairs is that there is always a relationship of seller and buyer and till now we have always been the buyers. Now, we have forged the relations of seller too and we have come into a partnership, are engaging in joint businesses and communications. So overall the scenario has totally changed from a beggar to a partner.

• After all, why is PM Modi becoming popular abroad one foreign trip after another?
  Curiosity to see and listen to Narendra Modi! This is the main reason. Apart from the glamour of Narendra Modi, the fact that he is a global leader and a Vishwa Guru and attracting the people of the other nations are some of the reasons. Apart from this, there are economic reasons as well with India being one of the most attractive investment destinations, India being one of the largest consumer markets, Indians being a major vote-bank in foreign nations who can make or break any candidate’s fortunes in foreign lands also. So over all this has resulted in Modi’s popularity.

• Why is PM Modi’s craze increasing among Indians living abroad?
  See, this is not craze, instead it is madness. Look how enthused and upbeat people were when PM went to America and they assembled in thousands. It is amazing to see the craze Indians living abroad have for PM. And I feel that the Indian diaspora all over the world must be waiting for Modi to come to their country! Such is the craze and this craze can not be defined. PM himself accepted that people travelled for almost twelve hours to reach the venue to listen to him in France. They could have seen him on TV or heard him on radio, but they chose to reach the venue. So this is a different kind of popularity and his contribution towards India, and the manner in which he has become a hero of Indians, people have started connecting with India for the first time, else we had become foreigners, in a way. Today Indians abroad know about everything happening in the nation.

• Despite the riots in France, why didn’t Modi postpone his plan to visit France?
  His personality is such and his character is of courage and conviction. And as such he has said “One who would fear can’t be Modi.” Earlier he had said that he is one of those who challenge the challenges. That is his conviction and courage. And it so happened that when he reached France, the rioting stopped. People said that Modi’s foot on the French soil brought peace.

• France awarded the country’s highest civilian honor to PM Modi and then opened museum for the first time after 66 years? How do you see this development?
  This also means that people are in awe of Modi. It is true that for the first time such an honour has been given to an Indian Prime Minister and after 66 years, the museum has been opened which is an honour for Indians and India.

• What has Narendra Modi brought from Paris for Indian youth?
  Several things. I have heard that for post-graduate students the visa has been extended to five years. About 25,000 students will come to India from France. Overall, opportunities for young Indians to go to France will open up and viceversa in academics and business. So it is a ‘winwin’ situation for the youth of both the nations.

• Why is Modi’s ‘Gift Diplomacy’ becoming popular these days?
  It is interesting to watch that although PM is a guest in other nations, but he somehow plays the host! Like I have said earlier, Narendra Modi can do anything. He plays the role of host and the guest with equal finesse. He gifts rare items from India to other world leaders which they accept with open arms. So Modi has created a ‘Gift Diplomacy’ which is a new method of engagement between two nations.

• What was the significance of the Prime Minister’s visit to France from the point of view of international diplomacy and India-China relations in particular?
  It was extremely important. It was what basically what we call Indo-French Pacific Roadmap, which was forged there to counter and balance China. China is playing the bully and right from USA to Japan, everyone is fed up. China is troubling India on LAC already and is now taking to the oceans as well. It does not let anyone come into the South-China sea and claims sole right over it. China’s expansionist attitude is something the entire world is trying to counter, IndoFrench friendship and strategic alliance is an important development which is being welcomed by everyone.

• How do you view the Rs 96,000 crore defence deal that India has signed with France? Later, the mention of the deal for three Scorpene submarines was removed from the joint statement issued by both the countries. Do you know why this happened?
  Yes, overall it is a good deal which includes 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. Rafales have been proved to be one of the best platforms. The strategic defence relationship between the two countries will be strengthened through it and India will get good weapons to face Pakistan or China. Secondly, about the mention of scorpene submarines being removed from the joint state, I heard about it. They have said that defence deals are not announced in joint statement, rather it is said that the two countries are going to increase their defence cooperation etc. This statement perhaps had a mention of the deal, so it was removed. Nothing significant in it.

• Despite the controversy in the agreement signed with France last time for the purchase of Rafale fighter jets, why did the Prime Minister engage in the Rafale deal again this time?
  Moral courage and transparency! The courage of honesty and to say without actually saying that he is right. The point of this second deal was to prove that he was right then too and he is correct today also. We all know that even the Supreme Court cleared that deal. So his conviction and stand that he will not work under any pressure, be it from the media or any propaganda or of the opposition that people will lay allegations against him and he is ready to even handle and challenge those allegations. So his courage, will and confidence that everything is fine and nothing is wrong in it. He is convinced that it is a better deal.

• Do you feel that France is now replacing Russia as a trusted friend in India’s foreign policy?
  Yes, to some extent. If we look at the friendship, it is 40 years old. Narendra Modi knows about French culture and people since the time he was CM of Gujarat when a French Cultural Centre was opened in that state. The friendship between India and France is strong and Modi’s visit has further strengthened this bond. If we go down the memory lane, you will find that when Pokhran blasts happened, US put sanctions on India and at that time, Russia not only defied the sanctions but also supported India. Then in 1982, we did not have Uranium for our nuclear power plant. America refused to provide and Russia too denied perhaps due to pressure. At that time, France stood with us and gave us Uranium. So, it is an old friendship and a strong one at that.

• What is your assessment of the deal between the two countries regarding Rupee and Dirham during Prime Minister’s visit to UAE? That deal is encouraging. If you look at it closely, this is the second step taken by Narendra Modi towards making Rupee a global currency. First was when the crude oil deal with Russia was agreed upon to be paid in Indian rupee and today eighteen nations have agreed to deal in Indian rupee. Secondly, the UPI payment system was also promoted and he said that you can pay in Indian rupees at Burj Khalifa or Eiffel Tower, so this is a major revolution. If we club this with digital payment, Narendra Modi has brought this revolution which is world’s largest payment system. Corona certificates were given digitally and India is the only country where it has happened. This hasn’t happened in America also. I once told about an incident that happened with former CAG Rajiv Mehrishi wherein, he paid Rs 12 to a vendor for buttermilk through digital platform. This is a miracle and it should be welcomed.

• How do you like the Tricolor with Modi’s picture on Burj Khalifa, the world’s most attractive building during the Prime Minister’s visit to UAE?
  It was wonderful and was watched by thousands. About 30 crore people live there and everyone liked the idea of displaying PM Modi’s picture on Burj Khalifa along with the Indian Tricolor. The government there expressed its warmth through this gesture. Along with this, few days back, French Day was celebrated at Jaipur’s Albert Hall and that too was beautiful. So, this is what is connecting people and it is a good initiative as friendship develops and becomes strong through such initiatives.

TO BE CONTINUED…

During the show #JConPMModiFranceVisit trended top All-India on Twitter