Credibility And Character
All credibility, all good conscience, all evidence of truth, integrity, honesty come only from the person who has the character to make people believe and trust him. Once the man’s character is lost, everything is lost for him and to regain becomes practically impossible. So be with Donald Trump, the President who presently practices the strongest pseudo democracy of the world namely the United States of America. The universal truth is that trust is created based on credibility and credibility comes from respecting others’ interest before your own.
Proposal For Board Of Peace
Recently the mercurial personality called President Donald Trump of United States of America unleashed his new salvo of forming a world organisation called “Board Of Peace” being a Charter for Global Harmony, Dialogue, and Human Security, probably with the intention of framing a “Parallel Un” with him as the Permanent Chairman of the Board to resolve conflicts and rebuild governance in war-torn regions — starting with Gaza but subsequently to expand it to other global conflict zones.
Preamble and Objectives of Board of Peace
Based on the Concept Note and Charter
In the wake of the enraging volatility of the geopolitical eco-system of the escalating conflicts, ideological polarization and the ongoing humanitarian crisis being faced now, the need for an independent and intellectual institution devoted exclusive to foster world peace is being felt since the already available means to peace like diplomacy, deterrence, and military alliances are not sufficient to address the deeper causes of discord and discriminations coming out of fear, injustice, exclusion, and other historical, civilizational and cultural grievances.
The perceived idea of The Board of Peace is a permanent, unbiased and globally representative world body devoted to the prevention of conflict, the promotion of negotiation, and advocating peace among nations, communities, and civilizations. The Board of Peace shall serve as the conscience of humanity in times of volatility and crisis ensuring justice, dignity, and mutual respect. The Board of Peace is not yet a formally constituted international organisation and the final composition of the Board is not yet formulated.
Donald Trump and the Global Turmoil
American President Donald Trump has already created geo-political turmoil in the prevailing world order. It seems that he is deriving great sadistic pleasure out of the chaos and confusion in the global financial and commercial field affecting the global economy and trade coming out of the imposition of his quixotical whims and fancies.
Not content with what damages he has already done to the world trade and commerce by thrusting his Dontrump Doctrine of dominance as super power, economically and militarily, subjugating other sovereign independent nations, he has now embarked on new mission to take over the entire world order under his command through his perceived idea of “Board of Peace” as envisaged under its Concept Note and Charter which will ultimately not only make Uno redundant but also establish the sovereignty of Donald Trump as Permanent Chairman of The Board of Peace and his administration to govern the Board as irrevocable which he thinks it as his Divine Right.
The President Trump who possesses mercurial characteristics is capable of taking any unpredictable action to fulfill his objectives including to contest for presidency for a third term challenging the mandated norm of two terms as president of U.S.
Question of Leadership and Credibility
The pertinent point is, can President Trump be qualified to become the Chairperson of the Board of Peace considering his rhetorics, contemptuous treatment of friends and foes alike, derogatory speeches, political comments and the geopolitical actions he has taken with regard to global trade and commerce after he took office as President of United States for the second time?
It is evident that President Trump treats leadership as an opportunity to satisfy his personal greed and not as a privilege to better the lives of others. A perusal of the Charter of Board of Peace shows certain mandated qualities of leadership as enumerated therein and Trump has proved beyond doubt that he is neither a statesman nor a diplomat.
Hence, the founder of Board of Peace President Trump does not deserve to be the permanent Chairperson of the envisaged Board of Peace and it is bound to fail in due course of time.
International Reaction at Davos
The launching of Board of Peace which is supposed to be a peace initiative as per President Trump’s statement announced on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos was greeted with rancour and reservations from key allies. Trump’s ambition to wrest sovereignty over Greenland from fellow Nato member Denmark has threatened to blow apart the alliance and reignite a trade war with Europe.
The Global Dilemma for Nations
The dilemma faced by the nations is whether to accept the doctrine of Board of Peace and be a part of it or not. Nearly 23 Countries have accepted the invitation of President Trump to join the Board of Peace not because of their free will but just to appease President Trump after seeing his blunt instrument of invasion as he has done in Venezuela, the punitive tariffs he imposed on his friends and foes alike, his claim over Greenland, the threatening postures he has adopted against Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba etc.
Countries That Have Not Accepted
- France
- United Kingdom
- Norway
- Sweden
- Slovenia
- Spain
Many other countries are not taken any final decision. Taking in to consideration the belligerent actions taken by United States which may encourage China, Russia and such other countries to take punitive actions against their adversaries, it is construed that no country will be safe from ambitions of great powers if appeasement becomes the order of negotiation over sovereignty.
Key Concerns at a Glance
| Issue | Concern Raised |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Trump lacks statesmanship and diplomatic temperament |
| Global Trade | Punitive tariffs and economic coercion |
| Sovereignty | Threat to independent nations through dominance |
| Alliances | Risk of Nato fragmentation and trade wars |
| Future World Order | Appeasement may replace sovereign negotiation |
Once Bitten, Twice Shy: India and the Global Order
“Once bitten, twice shy” is an old proverb which is very much applicable to India. India is subjected to various challenges and betrayals ever since its tryst with destiny since 1947. India celebrated the 75 years of sovereign republic since the adaptation of its constitution. It is time to come together to review and reassess the challenges lie ahead after the drastically changed geopolitical relationship particularly the policies and actions of the world’s strongest power, the United States of America over the past several months, challenging the very foundation of the global order.
The presumed feeling, U S being the principal architect of global order, will defend it has been shattered. Instead, it has become the biggest risk to it. It is very clear without any ambiguity to the European and other world leaders that U S is no longer a reliable partner, either in trade or security matters.
U.S.–India Tariff Issue and Diplomatic Stance
President Trump and his administration have singled out India and imposed higher tariffs on the flimsy pretext of India’s import of Russian oil. The hypocrisy of President Trump has been exposed through the trade relation the U S has with Russia and allowing European Union and China to continue their commercial relation with Russia. India has only one option to defend its integrity and sovereignty by taking a diplomatic stand through statesmanship like actions.
While almost all nations with the exception of few countries like China, Russia, have succumbed to the U S pressure and got some concessions and leverage through appeasement of President Trump whereas India stood its ground on principles of universal diplomacy. Besides, India has embarked on a mission to have bilateral Free Trade Agreements with other nations. Bharath has already concluded FTA with Britain, U A E and the latest “Mother of All Deals” with European Union. Similar agreements have been initiated with other countries so as to diversify Indian trade which will to a great extent neutralize the effect of American tariffs.
Major Free Trade Agreements
| Partner Country / Region | Status |
|---|---|
| Britain | Concluded |
| U A E | Concluded |
| European Union | Concluded (“Mother of All Deals”) |
| Other Countries | Initiated |
India’s Economic Potential and Demographics
India is the fourth largest economy of the world and poised to become the third soon overtaking Germany. India is a vast country geographically having the maximum population of nearly 1.46 billion of which approximately 65% are under 35 years of age. Hence, India has to assert its rightful place in the world economic forum. But it has miles to go to be heard and to lead as a true power. It has to prioritise its requirements by way of further economic reforms to keep pace with the developed countries, initiate technological advancement to become self-sufficient in the sphere of defense, industries and commerce by adopting strategic thinking and actions, research and development, innovation and creativity and social reforms. A clear-cut, no-nonsense frame work has to be drawn to implement sincerely and diligently to become a formidable power in the world. India has already taken steps through its Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to get ahead and stay relevant in the global level economic ecosystem and geopolitical relationship.
Priority Areas for Growth
- Economic reforms to match developed countries
- Technological advancement
- Self-sufficiency in defense, industries and commerce
- Research and development
- Innovation and creativity
- Social reforms
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
In May 2020, Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi launched the Self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan) mission to promote Indian goods in the global supply chain markets and help the country achieve self-reliance. The key objectives of the ‘Self-reliant India’ (Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan) mission are as follows:
- Develop India into a global supply chain hub.
- Build the government’s trust in the private sector capabilities and prospects.
- Establish ‘good force multipliers’ for Indian manufacturers.
- Enter the global markets to export goods including agriculture, textiles, clothing, and jewelry and military hardware.
- Determine adequacy of each sector (e.g., defense, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, etc.), with the help of financial year budgets to achieve self-reliance.
- Modernizing armed forces to become a formidable force among the global military powers.
Vision 2040: A Developed and Strong Bharat
The result of the initiatives taken under Self Reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan) has started yielding visible results. As per the plan of action of the Government, Bharat is planned to achieve the status of a developed state and a formidable military force by the year 2040.
National Call for Unity
At this hour of crisis and national need, the clarion call of the nation particularly to the political disposition of this nation is “All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall.”
