The link is just a context to start a light hearted discussion on what is Europe’s expectations from lndia in particular, and from Asia in general !
I would like India to return to a full democracy. Modi exhibits dictatorial behaviour. This is first of all bad for India herself, second bad for the rest of the democratic world.
Democracy is a farce.
Read that again !!
Depending on the country, it absolutely can be. Russia, for example. Their elections are just theatre.
I would very much like for India’s democracy not to degrade in the same way. All Indians will be worse off, if it does.
Indians in general worship political leaders as heroes.
But are you sure about the condition in Europe ?
This is exactly the right question to ask! People need to be aware that a well-functioning state and the rule of law, and by extension, democracy, are not a given. We need to actively preserve it. Just look at the USA to see how quickly it can be severely damaged.
From outside Europe, l can pull plenty of examples from within Europe.
Let’s start with cash not being accepted as “legal” tender. Then your system of compulsory conscription.
And people are being “tuned” in such a manner that it’s absolutely necessary.
Europe contains 44 countries. Talking about it as if it were all the same would be like talking about Asia as if it were all the same. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that the differences between India and Jordan are huge, just like they are between Portugal and Belarus.
I’m not aware of any country in Europe where cash is not legal tender.
Conscription varies wildly from country to country: Finland and Switzerland have conscription for all men, for example, while Spain and Germany have professional armies, while San Marino and Liechtenstein don’t have a military at all.
What does any of that have to do with democracy being a farce?
Conscription in Europe varies wildly. In Austria it has been confirmed by referendum.
Austrian here, this trip was not really in our national media, I guess it is seen more of a national thing than an EU matter. However the Austrian government visited India not long ago and the news were mostly about improving economic relationships.
On a European level I would think people would hope for India reevaluating its current relationship with Russia but this just a wish. It is India’s decision to make.
It should be noted that India is a lot less talked about here than China, likely because of how critical China has become in so many industries. At the same time, India is seen as a rising alternative, in a growing number of industries.
Well, Modi isn’t exactly a progressive PM, and he is acutely aware that the world order is now changing fast; the recent alliance with China is a good example that he indeed is. He has a lot of knowledge, resources and capacity in his hands and will use this to his advantage; anyone wishing to trade will have to make serious efforts to his benefit, including political ones, as others will queuing up soon. As an EU citizen, I am not very fond of this, nor of his open willingness to trade with Russia.
Well, the question is, is Modi interested in win/win deals, maybe even rule based, or does he merely look for transactional or even win/lose deals forced onto others (like Trump for example).
I am not expecting anything. The government of my home country is expecting him to buy more weapons, as always…
Oh yes, technology is dumped into lndia annually…
