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?
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.
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…
I don’t have any expectations, I am not educated enough about politics of asian countries in general.
However, adhering to the example of India you brought up, I hope the mentioned talks indicate a shift away from the close ties to Russia.
Generally I hope and wish for progress in demokratisation and stronger cooperation of democratic countries, but that a global wish of mine and not specific to Asia or India.
Modi had visited Europe primarily regarding trade and investment.
Russia is also a European country.
So how does it make a difference if lndia enjoys friendly relationship with Russia ?
I didn’t use Europe as a qualifier for anything. The problem with friendly relationships to Russia is that Russia is an autocratic regime supressing minorities and citizens disagreeing with the government and currently conducts a war of aggression against its neighbour with a complimentary genocide. I don’t like people who can be friends with such.
And inb4 “bUt AmErIcA”: yep, trying to maintain or build friendship with the US is similarly dislikable. Or with China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, etc.
And inb4 again: no, there is no country doing perfect, european or on other continents. But there are some doing better than others and I wish for improvement and democratisation. I doubt that can happen though when you’re friends with the worst countries though.
What you described about Russia holds true for lndia as well.
Everything? And on the same level?
Well, at least regarding suppression of minorities and people disagreeing with government holds true.
How would you evaluate the chances of India improving in those areas by the influence from countries doing better in that area?
Could you be more specific about influence from other countries ??
Although this community is named Europe, it has the EU flag as image so people assume that’s what others mean.
In any case, given the current political climate with the Ukrainian war, it would be hard to hold a friendly relationship with both fronts I guess.
Also, even if India were as autocratic as you say (I’m not denying it), they are not in an active war with a friend of most European countries, so it hits different for most other europeans.
It is the Flag of Europe, which is used by the EU, but was actually designed and is still used by the Council of Europe. Currently all countries in Europe, but Russia and Belarus are members of that council.
Is Belarus not a member of EU ?
No it is a Russian vassal.
Is Suisse a part of the EU ?
@MastKalandar @fushuan
No but it has cooperative agreements & protocols with the EU.My question is, bigger countries are part of the EU. Many former USSR republics have joined the EU. Even Turkey has applied to join the EU, but not Suisse.
What holds back this tiny state from becoming a full fledged member of the EU ?
@MastKalandar
Nothing. They are traditionally non-aligned (for ~1000 years) & reckon that that has worked well for them to date. the working relationship suits them & the EU.
A bit like what holds Monaco back from joining France?🤷Exactly 💯. Switzerland and Monaco are tiny European nations who are powerful enough to maintain their independence.
Was Monaco a part of Napoleon’s kingdom ?
Do you know about Russia’s past ties with Ukraine ?
Thanks for sharing that article. It wasn’t Russia but the USSR. You might even say Stalin. Interestingly, it was the time of the Great Depression, which was happening worldwide, and which consolidated fascism in Europe.
During those days, famines were common in lndia as well, which was subject to the British Empire.
While there was The Great Depression, it did not impact the USSR. Holodomor was a planned genocide.
But you made a valid point. Artificial shortages whether it be food, fuel or money are engineered by those in power.
1/3 European.
The EU is not a state, not even anything close to the USSR. That being said the EU is actually a model for the world order, and after 2030, the entire world would turn into one giant EU.
This is the reason why Modi had visited the EU or the the EU is keen to have trade relations with India, despite most of the EU citizens not approving the idea.
