Modi to kiss both the frog and the snake

Now, who is a frog and who is a snake?  Japan and China, the former is leaping forward and backward around Modi to woo him to get his favor, whereas the later is continually producing hissing sound and try to swirl him to attract more business. Modi is enjoying this scenario because at the moment, it seems, he is dictating these two Asian powers.  No other Prime Minister has done so in the recent past.  Many political pundits level Modi as a shrewd, astute and charismatic politician, but I identify him as an accomplished player in politics.  He accepts this hard fact that if he has to augment the present economical condition of India, he has to make a rat-tat to the ajar doors of Japan and China instead of approaching the super powers, namely USA and UK. And he has also to make a balance in between these two Asian powers.  May be he has to plant kisses for 60 times to Japan and balance 40 times to China. 

Immediately after landing in Kyoto, he almost stunned almost all the seasoned politicians when he accorded his approval to develop Varanasi, the temple city of India almost like Kyoto, one of the smartest cities of Japan.  Not only that, he has also signed a partner city affiliation.  Earlier, many people were not able to understand his critical chase game when he kept Varanasi against Vadodara. Now, making this not so healthy and clean temple city almost like an international city, he will be enjoying the mass recognition of northern India even at the state level.  He knows that he has the complete hold on Gujarat and Gujarati proletariat, but he needs recognition of northern people like his home state and with this hope, he left the Vadodara constituency.

This partner city affiliation program will provide for a cooperation in heritage conservation, city modernization and cooperation in the fields of culture, art and academics.

The Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Abe flew from Tokyo to sign this “partner city affiliation” followed by a dinner. As a gesture of goodwill, Modi also presented him books on Swami Vivekananda and Gita.  Now, can you imagine, if this development of Varanasi succeeds and definitely it will succeed, then who can prevent to modernize over 100 other cities on the same line under Japanese technology in a span of 3 to 5 years of time. Similarly, where the economics of Japan will go over 3-5 years? 

After finishing his visit to Kyoto, he landed in Tokyo to bolster bilateral security and economic ties with Japan.  Both the Prime Ministers will be closely set to extend their cooperation and colorful relationship to take the two country’s strategies and global partnership forward.  Mr. Abe has a soft corner for Modi which is evident from the fact that he not only accompanied him, but also guided Modi in his visit to the Toji temple at Kyoto to look at its Buddhist statues and five storied pagoda.  In the light of Buddhism, they enriched their personal relationship which in turn may give a wide coverage to the economic surge of the both countries.

Both Japan and China are interested to participate in India’s bullet train project and the economy.  China is cheaper than Japan, but the later has an impeccable record with respect to safety features. Modi has to ensure the procurement of more safety at a lesser price.  The bullet train project is India’s future and whoever is associated whether Japan or China, their economy will be flourished like India. Another important issue is nuclear doctrine.  India is not revising its stand, but Modi is not taking any initiative for a review of already set nuclear doctrine.  At the moment, our Prime Minister is more concentrating on infrastructure projects and more correctly, the economical up suing will come from this sector alone than any other sector. 

All these developments are being watched by China very minutely.  Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping is to visit India in this month.  He will also offer a basket of developmental projects.  At the same time, he will raise a very vital question of the Tibetan government.  He will definitely pressurize Modi to ensure that Tibetans are not allowed to conduct political activity in China.

It is evident that when Chinese President will visit here, Modi will show his political acumen and advocate for more strategic investment from China. In this process, he will try to accrue the benefits of Chinese technology, particularly in steel sector apart from bullet train.  The Chinese economy is a very developed one in today’s world and Modi has to make a balance between the two economies of Japan and China. If he is more inclined to show his preference for Abe of Japan, China will also not leave him so easily. May be Modi has to increase the number of kisses on China’s cheek without creating any displeasure of Japan to establish himself as one of the top leaders in Asia, in the days to come.