MODI’S RED CARPET WELCOME IN THAILAND & SRI LANKA DEMORALISES CHINA’S LEADERSHIP: Dr CHANDRA

Reflecting on the recent visit of PM Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka and Thailand, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra said the conferment of Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour on PM Narendra Modi, titled “Mitra Vibhushana,” reflects the growing global recognition of his leadership. He highlighted Modi’s humility in crediting the people of India for the accolade. Furthermore, Dr Chandra stressed that China must have been rattled by the enthusiastic reception PM Modi received in Sri Lanka and Thailand—countries traditionally considered under Chinese influence. He also said that earlier governments neglected India’s smaller neighbours due to a flawed foreign policy vision focused only on major powers and that Narendra Modi wasn’t keen on meeting Bangladesh’s Yunus but Modi likely met him just to deliver a stern message. Excerpts...(Part-1)

• Today’s JC Show headline is “Mitra Vibhushana – Modi.” What would you like to say about this?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: What a beautiful title – “Mitra Vibhushana – Modi.” It’s the highest civilian honour conferred upon the Prime Minister by Sri Lanka and this is the 22nd such international award. It seems there’s a sort of global competition among nations to honour and decorate PM Narendra Modi. With humility, Modi gives all the credit to the people of India. He said, “This is not my award, it belongs to the 1.4 billion citizens of India.” His generosity and humility leave a deep impression on the world. This award also features a Dharma Chakra, which symbolizes the shared Buddhist heritage. It reflects the cultural traditions of both countries and helps shape them further. It’s adorned with nine different Lankan gems, representing the invaluable and enduring friendship between the two nations. What a beautiful award – and what a meaningful explanation behind it. So best of luck to him, and once again, congratulations to the Prime Minister for receiving this honour and elevating India’s prestige globally.
   
• How do you think China is reacting to exceptional honours and bilateral agreements during Modi’s visits to Thailand and Sri Lanka?
  China must be very upset as it had assumed Lanka was its colony and that Thailand was fully within its influence. Lanka holds strategic importance as Chinese defence equipment is routed through there. China has had a significant defence presence in Lanka. So Modi’s visit there – and the grand, drum-beating welcome he received from the people and government – must have certainly unsettled China. The welcome was magnificent; half a dozen ministers came to receive him despite the rain. In Thailand too, the reception was remarkable – he met with members of the Indian diaspora. In Lanka, he was honoured at Independence Square – an extremely rare gesture. He also interacted with the Tamil community living there. He expressed joy in being among them. Modi remains very alert – he even expressed condolences for two senior Tamil leaders who had passed away. People there were deeply touched by this. Overall, the visit and the reception were extraordinary. And for China – equally disappointing. It is apparently clear.
   
• Why do you think the governments before Narendra Modi didn’t focus on improving relations with smaller neighbouring countries?
  Basically, it was a lack of vision. A failure of leadership in the foreign ministry and bureaucratic neglect. There was also a mindset that priority should be given to larger nations. “Foreign policy” meant dealing with Britain, France, Russia, America, and China. Modi redefined that concept. Smaller nations didn’t have a significant place in earlier outreach strategies. He has brought them back into the fold. So the lost opportunity of reconnecting with these nations has been revived by Modi. And why were they ignored in the first place? Fundamentally, because of vision failure and lack of leadership. Modi is now integrating these small nations into the mainstream.
   
• Do you think countering China’s growing influence in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific was one of the major objectives of Modi’s visit?
  Of course. This should be considered one of the main objectives. All countries within the group, whether large or small, share this concern. Even the U.S. wants to counter China’s dominance in the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific. They want free movement of ships, people, and goods. This is a common agenda, and BIMSTEC is part of that effort. Modi’s visits to these 7-8 countries – all developing economies with growing power – are aimed at forging a united front. It’s a dignified and strategic move to limit China’s growing influence in countries like Sri Lanka and Thailand. Ultimately, it’s a decent and dignified effort to counter China’s expansion.
   
• On one hand, China is trying to encircle India through neighbouring nations, and on the other, due to Trump’s tariff war, it is extending economic friendship to India. How do you define this contradiction?
  Actually, in politics, there are no real contradictions. As they say, everything is fair in love and war. Every country adapts its policies based on the circumstances. But China and India are fundamentally different axes. So when they talk of unity, contradictions are bound to arise. In recent times, whether it’s border or development issues, China has taken a softer stance toward India. Why? Because it’s busy with its struggle against the U.S., and India is now a huge market. Though Modi has ensured Chinese goods aren’t dumped in India, China still sees hope in India. So this so-called contradiction is actually a good development. India and China coming closer can benefit both nations.
   
• What has been the global market’s reaction, especially the share markets, to Trump’s tariffs?
  It’s been a disaster – a “Black Monday.” Trump’s economic quake shook the entire world. One of the best headlines came from Economic Times: Donzilla crushes markets. It featured an image like those in Hollywood – a giant creature walking through skyscrapers, untouched by bullets or missiles – representing Trump’s personality. Indian Express wrote: His name is Bully and described his tariffs as a brutal power play. Other headlines followed: Markets reject Trump, Trump targets the world.
  Hindi newspapers too joined in – Amangal Som (Unlucky Monday) in Patrika, Side effects of Trump’s medicine in Bhaskar. Blood bath, Dalal Street turns red – that was the scene in India. It was all negative. But Trump remains unfazed – he says bitter medicine works after a while. He’s playing golf while the world is shaken. In one day, the U.S. suffered a $2.1 trillion loss. Apple’s market cap fell 16.8%, losing $300 billion. Alibaba lost 18.6%, around `663 crore. People around the world felt like there was no other news, as if Trump had become the President of the world. Until signs of Trump’s political decline appear, the world will keep reacting this way. For now, criticism is overwhelming, and only a few continue to support him.
   
• Could Trump’s decisions lead to civil warlike conditions in the U.S.? Is a global recession imminent due to Trump’s tariffs?
  You can’t say civil war exactly, but large-scale protests can’t be ruled out. On day one alone, 1,400 rallies were held in all 50 U.S. states. Protesters even held the American flag upside down. And all this within just 75 days of Trump’s presidency. People from all walks of life participated – it was more like a revolt. If this discontent continues and Trump’s policies fail, we may not see a Somalia-like civil war. But more like a dignified civil unrest, creating uncertainty. Even in a previous show, I mentioned how Elon Musk has hijacked Trump’s office – major business deals are happening behind closed doors. There could be hundreds of Watergate-like scandals in the future. Uncertainty is looming. People in the U.S. are scared – inflation is rising. In India alone, `14 lakh crore was wiped out in a day. In the U.S., inflation led to higher mobile, dairy, and clothing prices. Daily necessities have become expensive. 50,000 people lost their jobs. Free medical services were discontinued for 200 million out of 350 million citizens. All these factors are pointing toward a recession. And if it hits, it will be global, not just America. So, recession cannot be ruled out. This looming economic fear is pushing people to protest, even in the U.S.
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• Political observers say both Modi and Trump govern through bureaucracy, yet there’s a major difference in their styles. What is that difference?
  The difference is that Trump tends to dismantle structured bureaucracy. He replaces it with extra-constitutional power centres, like Elon Musk. He hands power to private individuals. In contrast, Modi trusts the established bureaucracy. His policy is structured and consistent. He has given significant responsibilities to former bureaucrats. Look at Ashwini Vaishnaw – he manages Railways, IT, and I&B ministries. Hardeep Puri manages Petroleum. The PMO functions effectively through bureaucracy. Modi knows how to get results through the system. That’s why he’s successful. The core difference is in governance models. Modi’s approach is pragmatic and consistent. Trump can be irrational at times, uprooting institutions. But Modi strengthens them.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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