tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685253048119474681.post266319271839518730..comments2024-03-26T02:16:31.807+06:00Comments on Wangcha Sangey: A Personal perspective on International Events IWangcha Sangeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825795727739573521noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685253048119474681.post-7225739151829070052013-11-19T01:15:47.857+06:002013-11-19T01:15:47.857+06:00Thanks for providing all the links. They were very...Thanks for providing all the links. They were very informative. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685253048119474681.post-32670523723043830062013-11-17T10:29:30.046+06:002013-11-17T10:29:30.046+06:00No way Bhutan should become another Sikkim. Such a...No way Bhutan should become another Sikkim. Such a situation would mean the end of the United Nations and probably the end of the world. Indians and Chinese can only dream about it, but we are officially recognized as part of the international league of nations. <br /><br />Such an act of aggression would be suicidal on their part, as they along with other BRICS nations are working hard on improving their image as the progressive nations, not only in economic terms but also in humanitarian terms. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685253048119474681.post-73918271270610983312013-11-16T21:45:43.111+06:002013-11-16T21:45:43.111+06:00I know. I am not blaming Bhutan. Bhutan needs to...I know. I am not blaming Bhutan. Bhutan needs to do whatever it needs to do lest it become another Sikkim.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685253048119474681.post-88910493252236913072013-11-15T21:25:15.772+06:002013-11-15T21:25:15.772+06:00Yes, I agree with both Anons 12:08 and 12:46. Indi...Yes, I agree with both Anons 12:08 and 12:46. India does different from its talks, especially with regard to Bhutan's move to settle border ambiguities with China. The recent interference in Bhutan's election speaks volumes about New Delhi’s firm resolve to stifle any attempts to clear border issues with China. <br /><br />Nevertheless, it is few human beings in Indian politics that are making such decisions. If highly learned and rational individuals dominate India's top brass decision makers, I am sure settlement of border disputes will move forward in a positive direction. In the changing political landscape, people come and go, and let us hope that good individuals will dominate and change the political game for mutual gains.<br /><br />But, I have no idea if Bhutan’s proposal to settle border issues with China were transparently discussed with the Indian counterparts and their concerns heard or not. If we have not done it, then it is our mistake. If done, then India is being too much irrational. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685253048119474681.post-28977714822912540452013-11-15T12:46:32.777+06:002013-11-15T12:46:32.777+06:00You forgot to mention that Bhutan is unable to set...You forgot to mention that Bhutan is unable to settle its border dispute with China because India wont allow it. Every time Bhutan tries to come to an agreement with China, India threatens sanctions and aid withdrawal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685253048119474681.post-5524169966090224782013-11-15T12:08:58.476+06:002013-11-15T12:08:58.476+06:00India's so called secular democracy is for the...India's so called secular democracy is for the gullible. Anyone who lives in India knows that India is anything but secular and democratic. <br /><br />India is basically a police state:<br /><br />http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/12/21/police-state-india/<br /><br />As to the so called aggressive China, we can do a status check here. China has settled amicably twelve out of fourteen of its contiguous land neighbors, save India and Bhutan. India on the other hand is unable or unwilling to make peace with any of its neighbors. It still has border disputes with all of its neighbors, some of them extremely contentious and bitter.<br /><br />India does talk a good talk. I will give it that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685253048119474681.post-67235080699305697802013-11-11T22:30:38.376+06:002013-11-11T22:30:38.376+06:00Recently, I had the privilege of listening to a gr...Recently, I had the privilege of listening to a great talk by the incumbent Ambassador of India to the United States, Mr. Dnyaneshwar Mulay, on “India: The story of growth, democracy & soft power”. <br /> Ambassador Mulay is highly accomplished, wise, and erudite diplomat, well known in both India and worldwide. He has more than 15 books to his credits.<br /> There were two things that struck me from his talk: India’s secular democracy and soft power. Ambassador Mulay touted India’s democracy as being highly secular in a pluralist country. Despite the existence of numerous cultures and religions, India has proven to be a fertile ground for coexistence of all major religious traditions and diverse ethnicity. Even His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama deeply admires India’s secularism that motivated him to propound and promulgate the concept of “secular ethics” to promote religious harmony in the contemporary world. <br /> There are many areas where New Delhi needs self-introspection and reexamination of its foreign policies if ever it should draw inspirations from its secularism. The recent blatant interference in Bhutanese politics by Indian government is a complete opposite of India’s secular underpinning. Indian diplomats and political think tanks fail to accept that Bhutan has every right to defend its culture and unique existence. As this giant neighbor emerges as the next generation of world economic power, it should not only uphold its secular values within the country, but must also radiate its values to its neighboring countries and accept their sovereign rights to shape their own destiny.<br /> On India’s soft power, the Ambassador proclaimed that the great Indian civilization has produced two eminent figures, Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. These two luminaries have changed worldviews. He explained how Buddhism spread from India to rest of the world during the time of King Asoka. He gracefully illuminated the works of Gandhi whose weapon of non-violence has won the freedom of India from the powerful Brits. He also talked about India’s 27 million Diaspora, officially recognized as Non Resident Indians, who have contributed tremendously to the host nations’ growth and development. <br /> In the context of Bhutan-India relationship, it is more fitting that nuclear-equipped India shows its soft power. Although Hinduism is dominant in the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, Bhutan is predominantly a Buddhist nation, which India should be proud to relate as an example of its soft power. Buddhism has thrived and positively influenced many generations of Bhutanese since its introduction in the 7th Century by Guru Padmasambhawa, an Indian by birth. The concept of Gross National Happiness, which is being hailed an alternative development paradigm by the international community (although highly contested as well), has its philosophical roots in Buddhism, a religion India prides in. <br /> India is a great nation gifted with many great thinkers and noble laureates. His Excellency Dnyaneshwar is unequivocally a gifted figure and a treasure of India. I do hope that Indian politics and foreign policies are shaped by such refined individuals so that India exercises its influence on its immediate neighbors by extolling the virtues of its secularism and soft power. I also wish that India is guided by wisdom, not by adrenaline when dealing with its aggressive neighbors, particularly China. Sometimes, I see India’s NDTV anchors panicking and making hues and cries about a few skirmishes along India-China border. India should use skillful diplomacy, nor fear and panic, to settle the long disputed borders with China. Through such approach trust and confidence is gained, and bilateral relationship can be fostered with mutual trust and respects. <br /> In the same vein, Bhutan should be allowed to use any diplomatic tactics to solve the long-standing ambiguous border with China. If border issues are resolved, things will only work in favor of India, because it is India’s desire that Bhutan remains a forever sovereign nation. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685253048119474681.post-43090293627526867132013-11-11T11:01:31.115+06:002013-11-11T11:01:31.115+06:00Indian Prime Minister refusing to attend the CHOGM...Indian Prime Minister refusing to attend the CHOGM in Sri Lanka is proof that India has a totally screwed up foreign policy. In fact they have none. Little wonder than that Chinese influence is growing all around India. The only foreign policy India has is to bully their poor and helpless neighbors into submission through threats and economic sanctions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com