By Soumitra Banerji
With Trump, innovating so many euphemisms, has suddenly tumbled on to G2; which clubs today’s two popularly recognized superpowers into embrace of an emerging geopolitical power play. In the days of old, it was the USA and erstwhile USSR. Now China gets its pride of place … maybe they deserve it, after an arduous and focused trek to the summit.
The Global reorganisation has its own implications with various groupings and aspirations of some countries with an eye on the current version of the ‘Game of Thrones’.
India has been living a life of such a delusion for quite some time, where the new world of G2 seems to be a break of heart. It is like a divorce without a marriage. I am sure, many hyper-excited Indian leaders might have been already thinking of overtaking China, as the next Economic Superpower, brushing shoulders with US, the Crowned King…and then Trump happened…disrupting the world with his Nobel Dreams and more Nobel Tariffs.
India was sure that they would emerge riding a favourable tariff ride, overtaking the Dragon with brute Elephant strength. Then Operation Sindoor happened where India won an Air Defence bout…not against Pakistan, but against Pakistan with a Chinese backend.
“We got Pakistan to their knees,” said some…and “Gave China anxious moments on the growing Indian Capability”…said others. Both were absolutely true. It was the India moment…rather the Indian Tri-Service moment. But the Nobel Trump had different ideas. He wanted to be seen as the peace monger who ended the war…and a potential Nuclear catastrophe. India denied him the ‘Me Moment’, leading to one of the best meals which the Pakistan Army Chief would have ever had…cooked by the most Powerful Leader of the Planet.
The slide started after that. US suddenly noticed India laundering Oil Money through Russia…financing the Ukraine war. This led to Tariffs…Penal Tariffs…and some more Tariffs. And left China breathing easy, despite having the giant’s share of Oil Trade with Russia; and despite supporting all the dirty directions the global geopolitics is taking.
Thus emerged the G2 & D. The two Goliaths…USA and China…and the resilient David…India. The reason behind China being elevated to the position of a Goliath is a very successful growth of its Economic and Defence might. To be honest there is not very much of exaggeration in that stance. And not that David has not had its own growth story…And not that David’s importance in the world, outside of G2, is not visible. Both are also true. What ails are the internal roadblocks and contradictions which have shackled India’s growth and perception of respect, as seen by the Rich and Powerful, in today’s equation.
The visibilities which create eminence in today’s world, apart from Economic and Defence might, are a Mature Diplomatic Stance…A perceived position of strength heard by conflicting Nations…a fertile climate to orchestrate successful negotiations…taking a lead in Innovations in Science, Technology and Business Practices; and be visible in the Global Supply Chain Workflow.
Hence, instead of looking inwards towards Polarisation, Vote Bank Politics and a Micro View of personal ideologies, and Zero Sum Games; this otherwise Great Nation needs to aspire; and be obsessive about taking the Global Pole Position.
David had beaten Goliath in the classic narrative…and David can overcome the two Goliaths in today’s classic Geopolitics. It is never too late…and India has its own strengths to play upon.
(Soumitra Banerji is an acclaimed Indian author and writer, best known for his thought-provoking novel “Liminal Tides”).
