OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – BRICS DECLARATION

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – BRICS DECLARATION

The BRICS meet at Goa was being looked at with interest for many in the country as it comes immediately after Uri attack by terrorists from Pakistan and the Surgical Strike by India.   Shyam and Gopu were no exception and they agreed to meet to deliberate on the subject over a cup of coffee.  Both came in the evening after the office hours and after all the pleasantries, settled down to a table where there would not be any disturbance. 

Shyam opened the topic telling there are mixed reactions in the Media about the outcome of BRICS meeting 2016 and he wanted to be sure about the actual wordings of the declaration to come to grips with what has happened.  He said he read the final declaration as put up in the BRICS Information Centre at http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/docs/161016-goa.html .   He said he had gone through all the 110 paras and now he is in a position to have a discussion on the subject.  Gopu on the other hand said he would very much like to read as the order in the declaration but has come to the table armed with details given here and there of the BRICS declaration in Media.

Shyam felt the GOI has done very well to get their point of view brought in the   second paragraph itself for bringing in the words – “ We agree that emerging challenges to global peace and security and to sustainable development require further enhancing of our collective efforts”.  Paras 57 to 59 exclusively talks of terrorism against India, possibility of using chemical weapons and also requests all nations of the UN to adopt the Comprehensive Covention on International Terrorism (CCIT)  in the UN General Assembly without any further delay.  This is a major achievement of the GOI that China a signatory to this declaration has to be along with other nations in UN.  Gopu agreed and said that knowing the relationship of China with Pakistan, it is a real success for the government to have made China to agree to this.  China’s development is at least two decades ahead in certain fields but India is catching up fast and China knew this and will not allow India to grow at this rate and will like Indian resources going for defence and this can be done with Pakistan only.  The regional supremacy with which China is able to get done with countries even neighbours is their current economic position and their advancement in technology front.  However the challenge posed by India is really being thwarted by China with its position in UN too.

For the benefit of Gopu, Shyam gave the paras 57 to 59 to him:

57. We strongly condemn the recent several attacks, against some BRICS countries, including that in India. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any acts of terrorism, whether based upon ideological, religious, political, racial, ethnic or any other reasons. We agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism both at the bilateral level and at international fora.

58. To address the threat of chemical and biological terrorism, we support and emphasise the need for launching multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism, including at the Conference on Disarmament. In this context, we welcome India's offer to host a Conference in 2018 aimed at strengthening international resolve in facing the challenge of the WMD-Terrorism nexus.

59. We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism, including through organised crime by means of money-laundering, drug trafficking, criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terror entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).Successfully combating terrorism requires a holistic approach. All counter-terrorism measures should uphold international law and respect human rights.

Having gone through the specific words incorporated in the declaration, Gopu said how the arguments of the opponents who want to denigrate GOI on every single occasion sounds hollow.  Specifically the Congress is making much noise that there is no mention of Pakistan directly in the declaration;.  Having failed in ruling the country for such a long time, their anguish can be seen with the diplomacy front successfully used by the present government to bring round China agree for mention of CCIT.  Shyam added it is also to be seen very details being incorporated on terms like - terrorism, whether based upon ideological, religious, political, racial, ethnic or any other reasons in para 57 and In this context, we welcome India's offer to host a Conference in 2018 aimed at strengthening international resolve in facing the challenge of the WMD-Terrorism nexus in Para 58 and comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism, including through organised crime by means of money-laundering, drug trafficking, criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terror entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).Successfully combating terrorism requires a holistic approach. All counter-terrorism measures should uphold international law and respect human rights in Para 59.

While this is noteworthy about India’s point of view on terrorism to be contained from funds stage, recruitment of terrorists to final carrying out and human rights aspects involved, it is heartening an organization which represent 52% of the worlds population has come out with this assertion by signing the declaration.

Gopu afte going through the declaration singled out para 16 beautifully brings out what is happening in Afganistan and how the world community should help that to come out of the sufferings from terror acts.  Para 25 stresses the mutual cooperation necessary for economical growth - We reiterate our determination to use all policy tools – monetary, fiscal, and structural, individually and collectively, to achieve the goal of strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.  Above all, the declaration brings out the fact that the countries have moved closer by talking about Foot Ball matches between BRICS nations and also about Research on Railway Net work.

The just concluded BRICS meeting thus has paved the way for mutual cooperation in all fields and the India can be proud of its achievement in bringing to the world one more time the necessity to contain cross-border terrorism and how it affects growth of nations.  Shyam and Gopu bid goodbye.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TALKS WITH PAKISTAN

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TALKS WITH PAKISTAN

The coffee meetings of Shyam and Gopi this time centered around suggestions on talks with Pakistan.  While Shyam was feeling the remark of Mr Farooq Abdullah as just another one to put Mr. Modi in trouble, Gopi felt the failed politician who was immune to the problems of the Kashmiri Pandits in their distress has no right to talk, as the interests of the people will be served only talks and not by Surgical strikes.  Shyam said whenever there are problems across the border, the Abdullas’ from Kashmir issue statements and does not come forward to put their points across the table with the Centre.   They are happy issuing statements to put the Government at the centre in trouble and in times of distress the same governments should come running to help them as in floods or natural calamities.  These leaders though pose if they represent the people of Kashmir could not prevent separatists having field day in attacking police posts, army camps and neither could prevent a section of the youth to be trained in Pakistan.  They could have appealed many a times to curb stone pelting as a means of showing resistance to the administration of the state and inculcated in them the need to be away from problem sites and to attend schools when necessary.  The State administration during these peoples governance has not done anything worthwhile to contain these problems and instead sitting in opposition too could not keep the nation’s interests above that of their person agenda, to be in power perpetually and keep the problem alive for their families to enjoy.  The Centre both the present and the earlier governments have always shown patience in dealing with the unruly mob pelting stones and in spite of all these, when situation gets out of control have to use force.  This has happened over the years.  But had interest been shown, to solve the basic problem of providing the youth the right education and suitable opportunities for the educated and help to maintain peace at the border, the State government would have done their job.  On the contrary, successive governments have wasted their time by providing the basic necessities and divided the people on religious lines and their actions have only emboldened separatists all these days.  The Centre has provided all help and also opportunities of education and these have to be taken in the right spirit.  The State government has to create a right climate for that and if need be with the Centre’s assistance.  At least, this will ensure minimizing the problems of the youth in future.  All the leaders crying hoarse on talks with Pakistan should ensure a climate of change in Kashmir by bringing the youth to the educational institutions and not kindle their passions to pelt stones.   Once this is done and across the borders disputes can be settled, when the perpetrators of terror attacks are brought to book.   Had these leaders been the true representative of Kashmir, the problems would have been solved by this time.  It is to the credit of the present Central government to bring in more people to vote and this process should continue to bring in peoples participation in governance and the youth of the State will be encouraged for constructive activities.

Dossiers after dossiers have been given to Pakistan only for that to deny any involvement of their terrorists.  Now they are going to a level of protecting those terrorists with Government of Pakistan and Army taking opposing views on global reactions to protection of terrorists.  Pakistan has not accepted the presence of terrorist camps in the past and also the presence of Bin Laden.  When Bin Laden was killed, he was residing very near a Pakistani Military establishment.  A country which threatens of Nuclear War with the fear of further division of their country and not accepting to the violence of the non-state actors on other countries, is the one expected to come to table to solve the issue as per Mr. Farooq Abdulla.   He feels that the people of the State are suffering because of these strikes, and had he shown the same concern for the Kashmiri Pandits two decades back, the problem would not have assumed this proportion.

India would do well to destroy all the launch pads in Pakistan with the support of the World Community as every other person is affected and including the common people of Pakistan by frequent attacks by terrorists trained in Pakistan inside and outside of Pakistan.  While it is the internal matter of Pakistan when it comes to problems of attacks in Mosques of one denomination to the other, how can Pakistan absolve responsibility for strikes made by terrorists trained in their soil on an other country.  India being a neighbor is worst affected and have no found in talks with Pakistan as talks do not result in  action of Pakistan to take up on culprits shown with evidence and further camps of terrorists still exist.

Hence the days of awaiting for response for every dossier is over.  It is a period to destroy the Launch pads of terrorists.    If necessary, men behind acts of violence and leaders of terror outfits have to be eliminated by such strikes.  The world at large is worried about the nuclear weapons in possession with Pakistan and its uncared attitude for use of such weapons if threatened.   For the very same reason, the world community will come behind India in eliminating the sources of terror.   The only terms on which India can come to the negotiating table is by Pakistan handing over the terrorists named and stopping activities which is injurious to both India and the world, namely training of terrorists.   Perhaps, if the Civilian Government of Pakistan is able to assert its power to the show the rightful place to their Army, they will be able to contain terrorism and also can live peacefully themselves and allow others too to be peaceful without attacks. The Bonhomie between the true representative of the people of Pakistan, as Government of Pakistan with all concerned, will be benefitial for the growth of Pakistan economically and a peaceful world.

The Abdullahs who in the name of brokering peace in Kashmir will have no role to play.   Their assumption to represent people have only increased the problems to the Centre and the Centre would be doing well, to ignore the statements and concentrate on real peace by development and growth in Kashmir with the total involvement of Kashmiri Youth.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - TAMILNADU WITH NO CHIEF MINISTER

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - TAMILNADU AND CHIEF MINISTER

Shyam and Gopu settled in the Coffee Table in the outskirts of the City and spoke how a State does not have the benefit of an elected CM due to ill health and a party which is having a majority has failed to elect a leader temporarily even to look after the duties of CM.  It is not an emotional issue and it is a question of governance.  The day-to-day administration have come to a standstill is the real truth.  Acting with proxies and unauthorised people cannot be taken as having rule in  a State.  Due process of law must be followed to ensure continuity in administration.

It is a very unfortunate that the people of Tamilnadu even those not from party cadres airing their views with emotions carrying the day.  When the CM was admitted in Appollo hospital, she was having fever and dehydration, that is how, it was given to understand.  With no transparency on what is going on in the Hospital all sorts of rumours floated in Tamilnadu and also through WhatsApp everywhere.  The grand old man from the Opposition asking for the truth in the treatment to CM must have had ulterior motive but is it alright for keeping the people of the State in darkness, who had voted this party to power to govern. How anybody can say that a group of people did meet the CM and took orders in the early stages of treatment and later on even the Governor could not visit as advised by the Doctors due to the nature of illness.  Officially the Hospital also has issued a statement that the CM will have to stay in the hospital for a longer time.   This happened even as a Doctor from UK had to be consulted and he in turn telling the reporters he would be in touch and expect to come back in a week's time. While it is correct that panic should not be created among the dire and vehement supporters/cadres of the party in power and also the general public and for the same reason a ruling dispensation even as a temporary measure is the answer.

Here it is to pointed out that those who know Tamilnadu, will look askance when something like this is suggested for, for them, nothing other than the CM can be given the role to carry the mantle.  Tamilnadu has taken the level of politics where the Ministers have roles to play as offered by the party Supremo whether it is DMK or AIADMK.  Hierarchy has not been built with constant shuffling, downgrading of ministers with no reasons brought out to the public who have elected them.   Rumours have a great role for knowing such things and with the multiplicity of newspapers and TV channels, they have field day in bringing all sorts of reasons.   These should play a greater role in decision making by the Governor for bringing in normalcy in the State with clear assigned role for the person who has to run the day-to-day administration in the absence of the CM.   The Centre can support a regional outfit to be in power but cannot go to an extent where you play no role when necessary.

Above all, the Governor cannot keep silent without acting to bring in normalcy to the State and day-to-day administration carried out with due process of law.   The ruling party in the state, AIADMK should be asked to take necessary action to keep the Administration in Tamilnadu is done with due process of law.  At this, Shyam opined that the Governor should fall back upon his legal advisers and should get the alternative and treat this as an emergency where the CM has fallen sick and cannot act for quite some time on her own.   While agreeing Gopu said, it is equally important that the ruling party should on their own go in for consultations among its Working committee and also according to the rules enacted by the party to put the official machinery back on track.   This is more appropriate rather than forcing a solution on it.   They owe to the people who elected them and also those who have done so, in the interest of fair and stable administration.  This is the time for the party to prove that they can get their act together to see Tamilnadu is provided the administration they deserve.  Will they atleast name a person as Deputy CM to look after the duties until the CM gets well?

Shyam and Gopu bid goodbye and wished wiser counsel prevails.