Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Modi sends right messages to the neighbours and World' that was published in Newsband

Modi sends right messages to the neighbours and World

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had done the right thing by inviting the leaders of India’s neighbours to attend his swearing-in ceremony on May 26. Considering the fact that Modi’s references to Pakistan were all linked to cross-border terrorism, the invitation is rightly seen as an olive branch to that country. Modi indirectly indicated that Pakistan now has to deal with a powerful new leader in New Delhi with a decisive mandate, and that the onus is now on Pakistan to show that it wants friendly ties. Hopefully, the two will find more nuanced ways of coming to grips with what is a layered, complex and difficult relationship.

The second clear message is to South Asia and the larger region, including China, that under the new leadership India intends to be proactively engaged with the region. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa readily accepted the invitation since he liked the idea of Modi not entertaining regional parties in the matter of making foreign policies.

Thus Modi took his first confident step by inviting all the SAARC nation for the swearing-in ceremony. His promptness in this direction clearly showed how much keen he was to maintain cordial and peaceful relation with neighbouring countries.

To Pakistan, Modi gave a clear message that he is ready to improve relation with Pakistan in all fields, provided Sharif reciprocated by taking necessary steps to ease tension in the region. To the world, Modi gave a message that India is a responsible power and will not tolerate any actions by any country that undermines country's security through neighboring countries. And to regional players, he sent a clear message that as far as national interest and security is concerned this government can not be taken for ransom by regional allies or parties. The most important message that he sent for the world to grasp clearly was that things have changed in India and old attitudes wouldn’t serve anybody well.

Will Modi succeed in making the South Asian region more powerful than European block? The move to invite the leaders in the region to his swearing-in is a brilliant assertion that Modi made towards establishing India as a true regional power and for all to take clear note of the changes in New Delhi. Presumably, Modi and his advisers have bolstered the gesture with an agenda directed towards this goal. And in doing so, it is quite right that India's foreign policy is uninfluenced by any leaders of any constituent state of the country, and is determined solely on the basis of what is best for the nation.