07-27-2004, 11:06 PM
This is an important essay, but needs further elaboration. There are many levels at which the clash between civilizations is executed.
For example there is a distinction between the clash the Indic civlization has with the islamic Ummah and the clash that India, the Nation republic has with other political nation states such as the US. A proper understanding is needed to arrive at correct policiies geared towards each of the P5 and other important nation states. Broad generalizations such as Hindi Chini bhai bhai or Panchseel or Non alignment are incredibly naive. They indicate the naivete of the Indiic populace in general and sometimes the leadership, which is a far more grave danger for india.
Naive simplifications that we ought not to anger most of the world by using the paradigm of 'clash of civilizations' overlooks one simple fact, that the clash of civilizaitons is already under way. India simply needs to learn the rules under which this clash or clashes are being conducted and not pretend there is no such clash evident
But the bottom line is that each of the P5 ( i include the Euro union in this ensemble )should be treated warily by India and with the individuality that they demand.
For example there is a distinction between the clash the Indic civlization has with the islamic Ummah and the clash that India, the Nation republic has with other political nation states such as the US. A proper understanding is needed to arrive at correct policiies geared towards each of the P5 and other important nation states. Broad generalizations such as Hindi Chini bhai bhai or Panchseel or Non alignment are incredibly naive. They indicate the naivete of the Indiic populace in general and sometimes the leadership, which is a far more grave danger for india.
Naive simplifications that we ought not to anger most of the world by using the paradigm of 'clash of civilizations' overlooks one simple fact, that the clash of civilizaitons is already under way. India simply needs to learn the rules under which this clash or clashes are being conducted and not pretend there is no such clash evident
But the bottom line is that each of the P5 ( i include the Euro union in this ensemble )should be treated warily by India and with the individuality that they demand.