Namo, Obama,
Bali yatra on Karthik purnima is celebrated as Water Festival in Cambodia. It is a historic celebration of a historic civilizational memory of Bharatiya's destined role in the राष्ट्रम् Rashtram. Suvannaphum Airport has a Samudramanthanam memory installed in memory of the cooperation between Asura and Deva. Celebrate that Meluhha moment of a civilizational metaphor that has inspired generations of youth.
Get there, announce United Indian Ocean States on Republic day, 2015. Invite all the heads of state in UIOS for the occasio to sign a historic re-declaration of Indian Ocean Community.
Dharma-Dhamma is the founding basis for the Community, inalienable, eternal, effulgent, like the Indian Ocean itself, आसेतु हिमाचलम् From the Indian Ocean to the Himalayas is the theatre for action NOW.
Kalyanaraman
Suvannaphum Airport Samudramanthanam statue, Bangkok, Thailand
Another Rabbit out of Modi's Hat
November 22, 2014 12:48 IST
Obama's decision to visit India must be a result of his judgement that Modi is a man of action, feels Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
Barack Obama’s acceptance of Narendra Modi's invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in 2015 is like Nixon's visit to China in 1972-- an unexpected and uncharacteristic initiative by a politician.
The visit will be immensely symbolic, but there is enough time for both sides to work out substantive agreements to transform the relationship. Modi has produced another rabbit out of his magician’s hat, unleashing immense possibilities for India, the US and the world.
No one will know whether India had ever invited a US President to the Republic Day, ever since India began the practice of inviting foreign leaders to the parade in the fifties. Most likely, this is the first time that such an invitation was extended and, of course, this is the first time it was accepted.
Dr Manmohan Singh may have thought of inviting George W Bush, but the political climate may have not have been propitious for such an important initiative. President Bush had to go to Purana Quila, next to the zoo, to address the Indian people, as an address to Parliament was considered sensitive even after the nuclear deal was concluded.
Finding a politically correct head of State or government year after year for the Republic Day must be a minor headache for every prime minister. The chosen guest inevitably raises questions of appropriateness and propriety. Availability of the right dignitary is an issue when most heads are peripatetic.
When the jigsaw is finally resolved, the result may not convey the right message. We cannot go wrong with Bhutan, Mauritius and Russia, but even Sri Lanka can be tricky, depending on the temperature in Chennai and New Delhi.
France has been a favourite and has the unique distinction, with Bhutan, of having been invited four times. China and Pakistan are out of the question, particularly since 1962 and 1971.
There have been occasions when a dignitary backed out at the last minute and we had to resort to getting our all weather friends like Bhutan and Mauritius to fill in. Japan’s Shinzo Abe's arrival last year was the most important political signal out of Vijay Chowk in recent years.
Modi's thought process in inviting Obama can be traced to the days when Modi was persona non grata in the United States. Having erased that chapter after the rock star reception he received in the Madison Square Garden, the next medal he could strive for was a visit to India by Barack Obama. It did not matter that Obama was considered a lame duck President by many.
Being a man in a hurry, he could not have waited till a new President was elected in the US. He calculated that Obama could not refuse the honour of being the chief guest at the Republic Day parade when India's hard and soft power would be on display. As for the domestic reaction, Modi is confident that the Congress will not oppose the visit and the Left parties are too weak to make much of a noise.
A visit to India at this time makes sense to Obama. He has just lost the mid-term elections and he is in a mood to assert his Presidential authority, as he has shown in dealing with immigration. Earlier, he had hesitated to take the immigration bull by the horns by saying that he was not an emperor, only a President.
American Presidents tend to behave like emperors in the last two years of their Presidency, whether they lost the mid-term elections or not. In a short ceremonial visit there is little risk of failure as it can be explained away. On the other hand, if substantive decisions are taken, it will be another feather in his cap.
Obama is free of the compulsions of the hyphenation of India and Pakistan, which prompted Bill Clinton to visit Pakistan almost stealthily for five hours after spending five days in India. No American President can even think of visiting Pakistan at this time. But Obama took the precaution of telephoning Nawaz Sharif to inform him of his visit to India and made a proforma promise that he would undertake a visit to Pakistan 'as soon as the situation normalises in the country.' They also discussed Afghanistan during the conversation.
Pakistan made an inevitable reference to India, including the suspension of the dialogue and firing on the border and urged Obama to raise the Kashmir issue with India.
The visit is likely to be substantive rather than ceremonial, given the developments between Modi’s visit to Washington in September and now. Although some of our foreign policy experts said Modi got nothing out of the visit to New York and Washington, the signals were clear that the relations were on the upswing as Modi’s priorities, foreign investment and strengthening of security coincided with America's strategic approach.
Many processes were set in motion during the visit and there are already signs of rapproachment like in the case of the WTO controversy. Having been rebuffed by China and Pakistan in his peace efforts, Modi chose to build bridges not just with the US, but also with Japan, Vietnam and Australia. He has not jumped on to the US bandwagon, but he appears to have developed linkages to counter China in the whole of the Asia Pacific, including the island States in the South Pacific.
Obama’s decision to visit India must be a result of his judgment that Modi is a man of action and he is capable of taking decisive action to resolve the problems that have bedeviled India-US relations.
Even if the nuclear liability law may remain in the books, there will be enough compensation for the US by way of the 'Make in India' initiative, which will cover an investment friendly atmosphere and quick finalisation of arms deals. Like Nixon did in 1972 in China, Obama may find in India a golden opportunity to advance his country’s political and economic interests.
It is rather unusual for US Presidents to reveal the precise dates of their visit abroad very much in advance. In the case of this visit, it became necessary to reveal the date of the visit, bringing in several security challenges. This must have been taken into account before the exchange of tweets between Modi and Obama to break the news to the world.
Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Barack Obama at the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial in Washington, DC, September 29, 2014.
Obama made an unprecedented decision to travel with a visiting leader to pay homage to the legendary hero of America's civil rights movement.
Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, (IFS 1967), is a former Ambassador of India and Governor for India of the IAEA. He is currently Executive Vice-Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council and Director General, Kerala International Centre. He has just published Applied Diplomacy Through The Prism of Mythology.
http://www.rediff.com/news/
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Links: Label: Indian Ocean Community:
United Indian Ocean States (UIOS) -- Prospects, perspectives in Indian Ocean Community
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Links: Label: Indian Ocean Community:
United Indian Ocean States (UIOS) -- Prospects, perspectives in Indian Ocean Community
United Indian Ocean States (UIOS): NaMo, Obama announce UIOS to resolve Global Financial Crisisindian ocean community
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United Indian Ocean States (UIOS): NaMo, Obama announce UIOS to resolve Global Financial Crisisindian ocean community
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NaMo invites, Obama accepts to be Guest at the Republic Day 2015. Great move to strengthen Indian Ocean Community.indian ocean community
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Indian Ocean Sealanes meet Pacific Ocean. Indian Ocean Community choke points: Straits of Hormuz & Malacca.indian ocean community
11/21/14
India and Eelam -- R Hariharan. It is time to abandon identity traps and work for Indian Ocean Community.indian ocean community
11/20/14
King Rajendra Chola 1000th year of coronation: Celebration of Indian Ocean Community, Hindumahasagar Parivaar.indian ocean community
11/20/14
Prez Rajpaksa's pardon of death-row convicts in deference to NaMo's request is a defining moment for Indian Ocean Communityindian ocean community
11/20/14
History of Bharatam Janam and Indus Script inscriptions (16:49)Hindu,indian ocean community, Indus Script, Meluhha, Ramasetu
11/19/14
Indian Ocean meets Pacific Ocean: Historic Framework for security cooperation, India-Australia signed by Modi-Abbottindian ocean community
11/17/14
Hindumahasagar as the theatre for nautical adventures derailing growth. NaMo, constitute Indian Ocean Community to safeguard maritime routes.indian ocean community
11/16/14
Sanatan Dham Swayam Seva Sangh in Myanmar -- Esha Royindian ocean community
11/12/14
India-ASEAN summit< Myanmar: NaMo remembers ancient civilisations, similar world viewsindian ocean community
11/12/14
Study intellectual and cultural heritage beyond borders of India: Shyam Saran. NaMo, create Indian Ocean Community, हिन्दुमहासागर् परिवारindian ocean community
11/11/14
NaMo, announce the formation of Indian Ocean Community, Hindumahasagar Parivaarindian ocean community
11/10/14
Dravida land politics. Sri Lanka Tamil politics. NaMo-Rajapaksa politics -- Kumar Chellappan. Way out: Bharatam Janam identity, Indian Ocean Community.indian ocean community
11/10/14
Listen to Come Carpentier de Gourdon: Promotes Indian Ocean Community in a dialogue of civilizations (Video:15;49)indian ocean community
11/9/14
Karthika Purnima water festival in Cambodia. Karthika Purnima Bail Yatra in Bharatam.indian ocean community
11/8/14
It ain't 'look east' NaMo. United Indian Ocean States, Hindu mahasagar parivaar.indian ocean community
11/6/14
Indian Ocean Community: start daily puja in Angkor Wat in pancharatra agama tradition, in largest Vishnu temple of the worldindian ocean community
11/4/14
Maritime silk road and Indian Ocean Community -- Rajeev Ranjan, RS Vasanindian ocean community
10/18/14
Map of Southeast Asia: Hinduized states of Indian Ocean Community -- George CoedesHindu, indian ocean community
10/17/14
Rāṣṭram can be realized in Hindumahasaagar parivaar हिन्दुमहासागर परिवारindian ocean community
7/17/14
Hindu Ramayana Inspired Art Exhibition. Indian Ocean cultural communities. Islam our religion,Ramayana our culture - Hinduised states in the Extreme Orient -- George Coedes.Hindu, indian ocean community
7/16/14
We should not play US card with China: R Vaidyanathan. NaMo, promote United Indian Ocean States.indian ocean community
7/16/14
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): India and China as founders. NaMo, seize the moment, create United Indian Ocean States (UIOS)indian ocean community
7/15/14
New Development Bank: breaking away from IMF-World Bank hegemony. Announcing historic march to equitable sharing of world GDPindian ocean community
7/15/14
Regional dividend with joint ventures: United Indian Ocean States, a roadmapindian ocean community
6/21/14
Swamy to address Intl. conf. on World Peace Forum in China: June 20-22. NaMo, Swamy, announce United Indian Ocean States Initiative.indian ocean community
6/11/14
Global realpolitik: No 'biryani diplomacy'. India on march to United Indian Ocean States and equitable share of world GDP for India.indian ocean community
6/4/14
Will Modi look at Russia with new eyes? -- Eurasia Review. NaMo, announce initiative for United Indian Ocean States.indian ocean community
6/1/14
Thai oil tanker feared hijacked on route to Indonesiaindian ocean community
5/31/14
Decline & fall of the Hindu civilization in CambodiaHindu, indian ocean community
4/18/14
China's water grid: 4500 kms.links, borrowing water from south. India should implement a Water Grid.indian ocean community
3/11/14
Bimstec, part of Indian Ocean Communityindian ocean community
3/3/14
Agastya in Nepal -- Carol Radcliffe Bolonindian ocean community
11/21/13
Re-discovery of Angkor by Louis Delapote -- Duplat Guyindian ocean community
11/21/13
Agastya in Javaindian ocean community
11/21/13
Masroor rock cut temples in Kangra valley, Himachal Pradeshindian ocean community
11/18/13
Failure-bound maritime strategy -- Bharat Karnadindian ocean community
8/8/13
Angkor Archaeological Landscapes using lidar (Evans, Damian H. et al, 2013)indian ocean community
7/30/13
Indian Ocean Community, the center-stage of 21st century (RD Kaplan, 2009)indian ocean community
7/23/13
India's maritime history: Southern Naval Command’s Maritime Museum, Fort Kochiindian ocean community
7/6/13
Tibetan plateau, roof atop Bharat, world water reservoir quenching the thirst of one-third of humanity. Create Indian Ocean Community.indian ocean community
7/3/13
Indonesia gifts U.S. a Saraswati statueindian ocean community
6/11/13
"You always put Saraswati in front of universities and government buildings" -- Nyoman Sudarwa, Sthapati. May Devi Saraswati herald Indian Ocean Community.indian ocean community
6/3/13
Re-learning Hindu dharma from Indian Ocean Community (IOC)indian ocean community
5/13/13
Indian Ocean Community -- A book review by V. Sundaram IAS & Praveen Shanker Pillaiindian ocean community
12/19/12
India's oceanindian ocean community
12/8/12
Indian Ocean Community is the answer to Kevin Rudd's challenge - Kalyanaramanindian ocean community
11/2/12
Samskrtam inscriptions: Cambodia (Kambuja)indian ocean community
10/28/12
Bali's 'largest' ancient Hindu temple discoveredindian ocean community
10/26/12
Bali Yatra – cultural-historical memory of Indian Ocean nationsindian ocean community
10/26/12
Falsifying the Western myth that 'orientals' have no sense of historyindian ocean community
10/24/12
Sri Lanka-India civilizational bonds in Indian Ocean Community (IOC)indian ocean community
10/6/12
Burma? Myanmar? Integral constituent of Indian Ocean Communityindian ocean community
10/6/12
Hindu, Bauddham, Shinto blend in Japan in 900-year old Sanjusangen-do Zen temple, Kyotoindian ocean community
10/1/12
INS Sudarshini sets sail for ties with Indian Ocean Community (IOC)indian ocean community
9/30/12
Sanchi Declaration and flagship Indian Ocean Communityindian ocean community
9/24/12
Intl. Univ. of Buddhist-Indic Studies, Sanchi. No takers for Vaiko storyindian ocean community
9/18/12
International University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, Sanchi: Inauguration on Friday, 21 Sept. 2012. A tribute to Dharma-Dhamma continuum.indian ocean community
9/18/12
Why did India perform well in 1 CE? -- Bibek Debroyindian ocean community
8/11/12
Myanmar in India's strategic neighbourhood - Shyam Saran. Yes, India should lead & form Indian Ocean Community.indian ocean community
7/19/12
Angkor Wat, world heritage, sacred spaceindian ocean community
3/5/12
Treasure hunters. Indian Ocean treasure -- any takers?indian ocean community
11/4/11
Maritime Museum, Singapore. A memory, a tribute to Indian Ocean Community.indian ocean community
10/30/11
La stèle du Práh Khằn d'Ankor - G. Coedes (1941)indian ocean community
10/28/11
Reflections from the kingdom of gods - Angkor Wat: Karthik Subramanianindian ocean community
10/23/11
National archives of Cambodia - Online catalogueindian ocean community
10/21/11
Vat Phou temple’s ancient historyindian ocean community
10/19/11
Hindu dharma and Bauddha dhamma -- Ananda K. Coomaraswamy (1943)indian ocean community
10/3/11
Stepwells -- Water temples of India (and Byblos!)indian ocean community
9/20/11
Hinduism sans frontiers - a Shiva shrine on the Thailand-Cambodia border needs help: Tarun Vijayindian ocean community
9/18/11
Kidaram kondan and Bujang Valley: ‘Ye dhamma hetuppabhava tesam...'indian ocean community
9/16/11
India - Vietnam cooperation in Indian Ocean Communityindian ocean community
9/16/11
Asia's new silk road: Thant Myint-Uindian ocean community
9/13/11
Global Economy is broke, Asia should take the lead to fix itindian ocean community
8/30/11
Pancaratra and Angkor Wat templeindian ocean community
8/29/11
Transforming a debtor nation into a global partner in enterprise - Kalyan97 in NY Timesindian ocean community
8/18/11
Indian Ocean Community: Kumar Chellappanindian ocean community
8/5/11
Indian Ocean in the balanceindian ocean community
8/2/11
Indian Ocean Community as a strategic imperativeindian ocean community
8/1/11
A roadmap for Rashtram - Dr. Vijaya Rajivaindian ocean community
7/16/11
A union of Indian Ocean Nations - B.S. Raghavanindian ocean community
7/15/11
Kidaram kondan and Bujang valley, Kedah: Indian Ocean Communityindian ocean community
7/10/11
In China, a ‘Guantanamo Bay’ for Tibetan Buddhist monks | Firstpostindian ocean community
6/17/11
China diverting Brahmaputra: India seeks detailsindian ocean community
6/13/11