Narendra Modi successfully wrapped up his four-nation tour with the commitment to resume talks between India and EU to stitch up the free trade agreement, which was stalled a decade ago after six years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took upon an ambitious and a well-timed odyssey to Europe. And rightly so. After the debacle set in by Brexit and the rise of uncertainty and upheaval caused in the world order after US President Donald Trump's anointment, it is an opportune time for India to stretch its leg. Besides the international politics at play, it's also the right time for India to seek some golden eggs. In the aftermath of demonetisation, India needs investments in order to strengthen the economy. And timing the visit to Europe after completing three years in office was therefore more of an auspicious than audacious time to flex those diplomatic muscles.
Today, in the post Brexit era, Europe has undoubtedly gained a very significant position in the world, both strategically and politically. And as German Chancellor Angela Merkel harped on, "We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands".
With the departure of United Kingdom from European Union, there has been a shift in the power axle. Today, Germany has become more dominant than ever before. France, under the leadership of reformist President Emmanuel Macron, is also standing in support with Germany. Further, the continued growing strains with the USA under the tutelage of President Trump over climate change and free trade, underlines Europeans are pissed off and open to look outward, particularly towards the East.
But in looking east, they face a very belligerent ally in China. This stems from The One Belt One Road (OBOR) summit initiative which has been created by China. The initiative is facing hurdles, as Germany and other European countries are reluctant in signing the document, citing fears that China may overtake the project and leave them in a lurch. Therefore, in this 'new' Europe which is being constructed — by Germany and France — there is a vacuum which is omnipresent. A vacuum, which can be well filled by India. The European tour embarked upon by Prime Minister Modi is therefore, wilfully structured to gain a position for India in this new Europe. Prime Minister craftily routed his journey from Germany, then Spain, with a quick stopover at Russia, and ending at France. All these countries are currently in a grip of diplomatic pandemonium; and Prime Minister Modi is impetuous to tap into this pandemonium with an agenda to promote and seek development for his "Make in India" programme, in a bid to encourage manufacturing in India.
Narendra Modi successfully wrapped up his four-nation tour with the commitment to resume talks between India and EU to stitch up the free trade agreement, which was stalled a decade ago after six years, amid disagreements over agriculture, generic drugs and the movement of workers. This was one of the biggest takeways of the European tour, along with the unwavering support and allegiance to go beyond the Paris Agreement on climate change. Prime Minister Modi's quick pit stop at Russia to grace this year's St Petersburg Economic Forum, however, raised eyebrows. Russia's growing cosiness with two of India's worst nemesis — China and Pakistan — has strained New Delhi's relationship with Moscow. Today, the relationship is purely business. Prime Minister Modi needs investment, and Putin's Russia wants to cash on lucrative deals for its cash-starved economy.
As a result, the only highlight of the quick stopover worth mentioning — besides the bohemian camaraderie between Modi and Putin — was India and Russia concluding a much-awaited pact for setting up the last two units of the Kundankulam nuclear power plant with Moscow's help.
Prime Minister Modi's odyssey to a new evolving European order has therefore marked the beginning of new diplomatic relationships based on mutual agreements over investments, terrorism and the biggest of all — the well being of our planet. So then, will this new-found relationship strengthen India's stand on the international stage? Will these new Euro partners champion for India aggressively and persistently for a permanent seat in the United Nations? Time will tell, as for now, these are just preliminary questions. We are, after all, living in a 'neopolar' word. A world which Charlemagne defined as the one where old alliances and rivalries are bumping up against each other in new and outwardly fashion.
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 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron")
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