This is a biased article, to say the least (“India is a footnote in Trump’s new security vision, exposing Modi government’s wishful thinking”). I read it twice and could not find a single positive Indian trait, confirming my suspicion that this must be paid content. The United States has to wake up to the fact that it isn’t a powerhorse anymore. It should focus inward and get its socio-economic fabric in order. India accounts for 1.5 billion people and is a multi-faceted (religion, language, culture, values) country.
India is a footnote in a US strategy document that also says Europe is decaying. How is that a measure of India’s rise? Indian gold, financial markets, information technology, inclusivity and economy are real, unlike the US, China and the United Kingdom.
The author should have been responsible by researching further before commenting on India’s mention in the US strategy document. Trump will not last. India will. Jai Hind – Kannan Doss
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It is true that Narendra Modi’s strategy may not have yielded positive results vis-a-vis India's relations with the United States. But is that something to gloat about? All said and done, western and Islamic civilisations are violent civilisations. They have no respect for India and its people. The Chinese have turned imperialist and arrogant. True, India should understand these realities, rethink its strategies and move forward. However does it mean that “what this moment needs is humility in New Delhi”? Be more humble so that other countries walk over us?
The author writes that India, “instead of strengthening democratic institutions to align with Western values, it increasingly undermines judicial independence, journalistic freedom, and minority protections”. What great democracy and minority protection is there in Pakistan – where the army rules the roost and the minority population has been decimated? Doesn’t Pakistan still have American support even though the Islamist ruling class there has nothing whatsoever to do with any Western values? Journalistic freedom in India means that not an hour goes by without somebody abusing the present government. Nonsense. – MS Sriram
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It is funny that an Indian has written this article. Those who formulated America’s “security strategy” do not know the fact that Indians run the world. We are 1.5 billion of the world’s humanity, the most free nation and people on the earth. – Kuriakose
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Too many known academics have been victims of their own hubris. One needs to be dispassionate towards one’s subjects when critiquing any situation, especially one as complex and fraught as Indian politics. Maintaining a balance between the ephemeral and the long term is a must. The search for truth is beyond the need to prove how correct one’s opinion is. It is much more complex and nuanced. It is a self-effacing debate that extends beyond short timelines and personal opinions. – Sudhanshu Naithani
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It is true that America hardly bothers about India’s importance in its geo-political strategic equation. In the Quad, Narendra Modi is merely a passenger. Neither does Washington think India can be a counterweight to its anti-China containment policy. But India’s repeated attempts to woo Donald Trump and company is devoid of self-respect. – Timir Basu
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I think you are speaking as a spokesperson for the Indian National Congress and I don't want to say anything more than that. – Sandip Singh
‘Sholay’ and classic westerns
Although an iconic movie, Sholay can’t be compared with westerns like The Magnificent Seven, For a Few Dollars More and Once Upon A Time In The West (“‘Sholay’ revisited: Three pivotal scenes in Ramesh Sippy’s classic film”). The actors immortalised their characters in those classic westerns. The villainous character of For A Few Dollars More is perfectly drawn. The writing duo of Salim-Javid are exceptional at language, true maestros, in how they crafted dialogue. – Saleem Anim
