BJP in America

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took time off during his recent visit to the US for an informal interaction with BJP volunteers who attended his events and worked behind the scenes for his public engagements. Modi congratulated them for their commitment to supporting BJP’s activities and their sense of involvement with India. He pointed out that unlike party workers in India who might look for a career in politics, volunteers such as those in the US have no such motivation. It was remarkable that they were moved to associate with BJP and the Indian government’s programmes. The meeting went off well and the volunteers, mostly young people, spoke to the prime minister about their backgrounds and professional pursuits. Given his wide travels in the US long before assuming public office, Modi was able to relate to the backgrounds of many of the volunteers and even refer to people he knew in the regions of the US they hailed from. Apart from Modi’s events, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar interacted with policymakers and think-tanks to explain India’s views and concerns on a range of issues. He also interacted with a group of Indian students in New York and the engagement has led to a more permanent involvement with many of those who attended, expressing their wish to continue the association beyond meeting Jaishankar.

Lotus Hopes to Bloom In Jharkhand

After keenly fought elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir, polls in Jharkhand and Maharashtra are likely to be no less engaging. There is a quiet confidence among BJP leaders in Jharkhand that the party is poised to take on the ruling JMM and its allies. The BJP-led alliance is close to finalising ticket distribution with Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) being accommodated along with principal ally All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) and JD(U). Though JMM has not lagged in announcing populist schemes, including payouts to women under the Maiya Samman Yojana, in keeping with such schemes being offered by most political parties, BJP leaders feel the state government has lost much of its shine due to indifferent governance and controversies, such as the deaths of candidates in the hastily organised recruitment to the police and the issue of illegal Bangladeshis entering the state and displacing tribals. The illegal immigrant issue seems to have touched a chord and has made JMM wary of the likely fallout. The state seems headed for a close contest with BJP deputing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, seen as an astute politician, as its main strategist for the state election and alliance management.

No Personal Diplomacy Please

A Delhi-based BJP leader’s attempts to engage in personalised ‘diplomacy’ with regard to the US elections have come to an abrupt end. The concerned individual has been unable to come to terms with his role in BJP’s foreign affairs department, having been reassigned. But old habits die hard. The matter surfaced when an event organised by the Republican Hindu Coalition in support of Donald Trump was announced and it was claimed that BJP had supported the meeting. The claim set off alarms within BJP as the party has scrupulously kept its distance from both the Trump and Kamala Harris campaigns. The BJP top brass conveyed to the leader concerned that the party must be distanced from the event without delay. As things turned out, the event has been put off and it seems it might be cancelled for all practical purposes. The Ministry of External Affairs feels ties will only deepen despite occasional hiccups as both countries are keen to maintain the momentum in their relations.

Congress’ Land Muddles

There are more than a few takeaways for Congress in Karnataka following the controversy over land allocations involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife and the high court upholding sanction for investigation granted by Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. While the party has apparently closed ranks, the haste with which Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s family has chosen to withdraw from plans for a skill development centre indicates party leaders are wary about fresh controversy. The visit of KC Venugopal, Congress general secretary (organisation), to Bengaluru further fuelled speculation as this was seen to be stock taking over the way the controversy is playing out. The decision of Kharge’s son Rahul to withdraw a request for a five-acre site in Bengaluru seems pre-emptive. There is a view that should Congress consider a change of guard necessary, the party would not want any other issue to crop up. It is hard to tell if Siddaramaiah has become a liability for the party. A former associate of Janata Dal (S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda, his Janata Dal background and politics has a rural touch grounded in backward class mobilisation that has helped Congress.

A Drone for India

India and the US formally signed a deal for the supply of 31 Predator drones for the Indian armed forces. The Sea Guardian drones are designed for anti-submarine warfare as well and can track them underwater. The `32,000 crore deal will significantly enhance India’s capacities on all terrain, from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, which is becoming a zone of contestation. The deal signals a major step in India-US ties at a time when allegations of Indian covert action against Khalistanis have left relations with Canada in shreds. Though trade matters continue to engage the attention of the US and India, the decision to transfer the drones—with maintenance to be carried out in India—breaks technology barriers that have held back relations in the past. The next big deal waiting to be operationalised is the manufacture of GE F414 engines for India’s Tejas fighters in India. The collaboration between GE and HAL is in the works and the American firm should deliver the first engines by March next year.

Chinese Moves

There are fresh reports of construction on the Chinese side north of the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, apparently to step up its capacities along the Line of Actual Control. The area has been under Chinese control and is a response to Indian efforts to build infrastructure by way of roads, landing strips and helipads. The developments are part of a pattern that has accelerated since the Galwan clash in June 2020. China has similarly built up a presence to the north of the Doklam trijunction in Sikkim. There has been a stop-start pattern in the India-China border engagement, with some reports of forward movement seeming premature. The changes in India’s neighbourhood, such as developments in Bangladesh and a fresh row with Canada, might tempt the Chinese leadership to pause any improvement in ties. Yet, as Prime Minister Modi’s visits to Southeast Asia and engagement with the Quad indicate, there will be no let-up in India’s efforts to build partnerships with nations concerned about China’s expansionist plans in the Indo-Pacific. The ball is in China’s court.

CongressDonald TrumpIndia-China relationsJharkhandNational PoliticsUS Elections 2024