Interesting: for the first time, Narendra Modi’s views on foreign policy come to light, through an American think tank

DeshGujarat News, Ahmedabad, 17 March 2012

William Antholis(in photo) is managing director of Washington based one of the oldest think tanks Brookings Institution. William is a senior fellow in Governance Studies.

After hearing lot about Narendra Modi( William writes:I had heard about Modi — from all sides—all across India. “India’s most effective public official.” “If given five years, he would transform India’s economy.” “He cannot be forgiven for the riots.” “Gujarat borders on a cult of personality.”) William recently visited Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar. William has now published a blog post in which perhaps for the first time, he throws light over Narendra Modi’s general point of view on India’s foreign policy. Usually Chief Ministers are not asked questions about foreign policy. But it seems Modi’s stature has gone so high, and possibility of he becoming the Prime Minister is so strong that a person from American think takes interest asking him a set of questions on foreign policy issues.

Iran and Pakistan

William writes: Modi declined to discuss the particulars of Iran’s nuclear policy or its oil trade with India, saying that was also the responsibility of the Center (though much of the oil is processed in Gujarat). But he did say that one should not be selective about state sponsors of terror. “One policy should fit all.”

I took this to mean that if India believes Iran is supporting terror, then it should deal with the consequences – which would be a breach with current policy. But just as easily, he could have been sending a message that America’s own support of Pakistan while opposing Iran is also a double standard.

He made clear that he considers Pakistan (which shares a border with Gujarat) to be a state sponsor of terror. “They provided shelter for Bin Laden, and they continue to support terror. Terrorism is against humanism. In all human societies, there can be no tolerance for terror.”

Modi’s difficult relations with Gujarat’s Muslims are well known in Pakistan. As a result, his growing popularity in India could become a potential flashpoint in the tense relationship between India and Pakistan.

China, Europe, Japan

We never knew that Modi has written a letter to the PM asking whether the states can have their own representatives at overseas embassies! William reveals that Modi has made such demand. William also writes that Modi took great interest in knowing that American states have such privilege.

William writes:Modi was also careful when discussing his own economic diplomacy, including trade missions to China, Europe, and Japan, making clear again that he felt that India should be represented in foreign policy by the Central government in New Delhi, not the states. That said, he has written Prime Minister Singh, asking whether the states can have their own representatives at key embassies overseas. He expressed great interest in the fact that American states often have their own offices, independent of U.S. embassies.

On his trade mission to China: “China is good at making things. Gujarat is also good at making things. We can compete with China or cooperate with them.” He told officials in China that he would prefer cooperation, including Chinese investment in Gujarat. But he also told them that their support of Pakistan, “a state sponsor of terror,” makes him question how committed they are to global norms. “They listened to me and were polite. I do not think it will change the way they behave.”

What William suggests America

William Antholis concludes his post this way: I came away thinking that this was a man America needed to know better. He may never be able to move past his role in the 2002 riots. But he is a talented and effective political leader, and will continue pushing New Delhi and not following. He has successfully tackled some of India’s toughest problems, but also has touched its most sensitive nerves. He is wrestling with major global challenges, with all the complexities that implies for a man with strong nationalist convictions. One thing is certain— he will continue to be a force in Indian politics.

About William Antholis

William Antholis is managing director of the Brookings Institution and a senior fellow in Governance Studies. His academic background is in how democracies conduct foreign policy, and he has served in the U.S. government at the White House and State Department. He is the co-author with Strobe Talbott of Fast Forward: Ethics and Politics in the Age of Global Warming.

About Brookings Institution

The Brookings Institution(established in 1916) is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. in the United States. One of Washington’s oldest think tanks, Brookings conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and global economy and development.

Its stated mission is to “provide innovative and practical recommendations that advance three broad goals: strengthen American democracy; foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans; and secure a more open, safe, prosperous, and cooperative international system”.