• Development wins elections
• Antony calls on Vietnamese legend Gen. Giap
• Russia cherishes strategic partnership with India: Putin
• Indian diplomat becomes SAARC secretary general

• BJP wins Gujarat elections
• Putin as PM
• Dhaka takes back its 1971 war hero

The sheer scale of Narendra Modi's victory (by one-tenth of the popular vote) shows that development can be an election winner provided a chief minister is really serious. The "merchants of death" issue may have swung the vote a couple of percentage points Modi's way. But clearly he would have won on development issues alone. This is a huge achievement, given the difficulties many chief ministers have experienced in winning on a development platform. It seems easier to win elections by stressing identity politics and subsidies. Modi never dwelt on the state's 12% growth. Nor did he spend much time emphasising capital-intensive development (like the giant refineries of Reliance) that create few jobs and fetch few votes. Instead, he focused on development issues touching millions in villages and smaller towns - electricity, Bt cotton, check dams, rural roads, Narmada water. He boasted of Jyotigram, the scheme giving eight hours of pump-set power and 24 hours of domestic electricity to all households. Modi got the additional power for this by cracking down on theft, reducing T&D losses. Discipline in electric metering, billing and collection converted the state electricity board from a big loss-maker to a surplus one. Modi's stress on Bt cotton and check dams in Saurashtra pushed up his vote share in a region with few Muslims and no communal tension. Whatever view one might have on his communal politics, he has a reputation for personal honesty, for forcing slack government servants to work, and for getting results quickly. He has proved that development is not simply about building roads or check dams. It is also about giving people the confidence that their tax money is being used properly and not stolen by patronage networks; that government servants will be disciplined for shortcomings; and that wrongdoers (power thieves, those who don't pay their bills) will be penalised. For too long practical politics has been about building ever-bigger patronage networks, increasing kickbacks, and appeasing wrongdoers. By charting an alternative path, Modi's victory poses a challenge to all chief ministers and parties. This challenge cannot be evaded simply by fulminating against Modi's communalism.

Courtesy: www.economictimes.indiatimes.com, December 25, 2007

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Narendra Modi has led the BJP to a spectacular victory in the Gujarat assembly polls. This is the cool confidence of a winner. After sweeping Gujarat in a landslide, Modi is walking the walk of a victor. And, within hours of the win, talking the talk as well. On Sunday, everyone and everything was fair target for Modi. He first swipe was at the Election Commission, that also had a glancing blow for Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Narendra Modi, Chief Minister, Gujarat said, "We expect the EC's decision to be non-controversial. They gave two different notices to Sonia Gandhi and to me. They also took two different decisions. This is all an effect of the colonial rule". Then he upped the political ante. His target this time. While lauding the common man of Gujarat for his victory. "This agenda of this election was decided by the people of Gujarat. The agenda included development, progress and security. By giving us 2/3 majority, the people of Gujarat have given the BJP a very big responsibility," Modi added. He jumped the state's boundaries and positioned himself as a national leader. "The victory march that started in the end of 2007 will follow into the next year. I believe that the BJP, supported by the NDA will give India a stable government," Modi stated. A claim that would certainly worry many of the seniormost BJP leaders. As will the constant invocation of Bharat in his first public speeches after winning, An invocation wider than the state specific Jeetega Gujarat slogans.So is Modi planning to ascend the political ladder to the national stage? The answer to that question could lie on how easily the Gujarat crown lies on Modi's head.

Will Modi victory put to rest mid-term poll possibility?
The BJP's performance in Gujarat has not only silenced the critics, it has also put to rest all conjectures of a mid-term poll and a possible Congress- Left rift, reports Network 18's Shivpujan Jha. It's a resounding victory, and its echoes can be heard far outside Ahmedabad. It gives the BJP the chance to wrap up four states in the same calendar year. The political momentum is with the BJP and so if the Congress was harbouring any thoughts of going for mid-term polls, those plans have to be shelved.... With Modi's sweeping victory setting alarm bells ringing, the secular parties may have to bury their differences, even if those differences are over the Indo-US nuclear deal. Earlier, the UPA and the Left had agreed to a ceasefire till the Gujarat elections were over. But none had expected Modi to trounce the Congress. The result may reduce the Left-UPA tension and the BJP is already sensing that. And there will be added pressure from the allies not to precipitate a snap poll. Modi's victory may alter political equations at the Centre. It's secularism more than anything else that had brought the Left and the UPA together three and a half years ago. And a resurgent BJP may again bring back those same concerns and make the Left and the UPA reconsider their stand on the nuclear deal.

Courtesy: www.moneycontrol.com, December 24, 2007

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Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony Monday drove down to the modest residence of Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap in Hanoi to call on the Vietnamese legendary figure who was instrumental in defeating the armies of France, US and China - three of five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Giap was Vietnam's longest serving defence minister from 1945 to 1979. He crafted the strategy that led to the eviction of the French colonial forces in the 1950s and thereafter played a key role in defeating the invading US forces in the Vietnam War of the 1970s. Thereafter, he played a key role in beating back a Chinese invasion in the 1980s. Giap studied at the same school in Hue, in central Vietnam, as late president Ho Chi Minh and late prime minister Pham Van Dong. Now in his 90s, Giap "appears frail but showed no signs of memory loss as he recounted vividly fond remembrances of his two visits to India when he went to New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands", a defence ministry release issued here said. "Giap recalled the contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru and Ho Chi Minh to provide a solid foundation to India-Vietnamese relations. He also recalled the contributions India has made to Vietnam during the war periods, for the unification as also for its reconstruction," the release added. "Therefore, I feel like meeting old friends", he told Antony, who is on a three-day visit to Vietnam. Giap appreciated the giant strides made by India in science and technology, and especially in the IT sector, and expressed the hope that the "Indian advantage" will also be extended to the people of Vietnam. He requested Antony to convey his best wishes to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. According to Antony, it was a really "happy and exciting day" for him as during his younger days, he had read about the heroism of Giap, adding the general's "heroic acts were indeed lessons in warfare". Giap presented a copy of his memoir "People's War, People's Army" to Antony.

India, Vietnam to boost defence cooperation
India and Vietnam Monday agreed on a slew of measures to further expand their relations in defence cooperation and "take it to new heights", it was announced in Hanoi. Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony, who is on a three-day visit to Vietnam that began Sunday, announced at a meeting with his counterpart Gen. Phung Quang Thanh in Hanoi that New Delhi will transfer 5,000 items of naval spares belonging to Petya class of ships to Vietnam to make many of the ageing vessels operational. He also announced the deputation of a four-member team to impart training on UN peacekeeping operations in the first half of next year, a defence ministry release here said. The two sides also agreed to set up a joint working group to facilitate the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation. Antony said the measures taken Monday "will open a new chapter in defence cooperation between the two countries that will take the strategic partnership ahead". The minister also highlighted the traditionally close and cordial relations between India and Vietnam, the foundations for which were laid by first Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then Vietnamese president Ho Chi Minh at their very first meeting in Hanoi 50 years ago."The commonality of views of the two countries in many areas are a reflection of our shared strategic interests," Antony said. The minister congratulated Vietnam on being elected as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council for a period of two years. Gen. Phung, in his remarks put forward various proposals including training of Vietnamese defence personnel, enhancing the exchanges of delegations, expanding training cooperation and cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries. He also suggested an increase in the frequency of goodwill visits by naval ships, application of information technology in defence and e-technology and technical support to the Vietnamese navy. Phung expressed gratitude to India for providing training to armed forces officers in various areas and said "they are bringing back valuable knowledge and skills to their work areas". So far, 49 officers have attended various army and navy courses in India and 64 officers have attended English language courses. Earlier, on his arrival at the Vietnamese defence ministry, Antony inspected an inter-services guard of honour.

Courtesy: www.mangalorean.com, December 18, 2007

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President Vladimir Putin told a party congress today that he would accept the post of Prime Minister if his longtime protege Mr Dmitry Medvedev is elected President, guaranteeing President Putin a heavyweight political role after he leaves the presidency in May. Ending speculation that he had another surprise up his sleeve in this tumultuous election season, President Putin also said he would not ~ as had been widely expected ~ seek to strengthen the role of the Prime Minister at the expense of Russia's powerful presidential post. "If the citizens of Russia show trust in Mr Dmitry Medvedev and elect him the new President, I would be ready to continue our joint work as Prime Minister, without changing the distribution of authority," President Putin told the United Russia congress. Later, the party voted overwhelmingly to nominate Mr Medvedev, 42, who currently serves as a first deputy Prime Minister. President Putin last week said Mr Medvedev was his choice for the presidency, ensuring support by United Russia party. A day later, Mr Medvedev had said that if he were elected President, he would offer President Putin the Prime Minister's job. President Putin's promise today to accept the premiership from Mr Medvedev puts what looks like the last piece of Russia's leadership puzzle in place. Mr Medvedev, seen as a moderate technocrat rather than a Kremlin hawk, seems certain to win the March presidential contest, thanks to President Putin's endorsement. Putin, with approval ratings above 80 per cent, has consolidated power during his nearly eight years in office by extending government control of the media and nominally independent institutions such as the courts and parliament. Despite President Putin's pledge not to undermine Mr Medvedev, many analysts expect the center of power to shift from the presidency to the Prime Minister's post if and when Putin assumes the latter office.

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"We cherish the strategic partnership with India," Mr Putin said while accepting the credentials in the Kremlin from Indian ambassador to Moscow, Prabhat Shukla, along with other seven foreign ambassadors. "India is one of the centres of economic progress and influence in an emerging multipolar world," he said. "We are united by convergence in our global interests and our common responsibility for maintaining international security and stability," Mr Putin added, pointing out that he highly valued the outcome of the recent visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Moscow. He also expressed the confidence that the reciprocal ''Year of Russia in India'' and ''Year of India in Russia'' will further strengthen the bilateral cooperation. The President also said Russia's foreign policy will continue after the presidential election in early March. "I am sure, our country will continue its coherent course towards consolidating a multilateral diplomacy and the legal foundations of international relations, and a fair solution of key international problems," he said.

Courtesy: www.newkerala.com, December 12, 2007

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Qazi Sajjad Ali Zahir, "commanding officer" of a unit of a guerilla army fighting to liberate Bangladesh in 1971, had last seen "sepoy" Hamidur Rahman two days before the latter died battling Pakistani soldiers close to the Tripura border. Rahman, recipient of highest gallantry award Bir Shreshtha, died on October 28, 1971. On Monday, Lt Col (retd) Zahir and six other Bangladeshi officers took back the mortal remains of Rahman, 36 years after he sacrificed his life. The Bangladeshi delegation crossed the international border near Tripura capital Agartala to take Rahman's remains to Dhaka. "Rahman was barely 18 when I had taken charge of the unit after deserting Pakistan Army's East Bengal Regiment," said Zahir. "Two days later, he took on Pakistani soldiers manning the light machine gun post close to the border with Tripura. He got killed, but not before lobbing a grenade to silence the gun and save his comrades' lives."

Courtesy: www.yahoo.com, December 12, 2007

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India's Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna Sheel Kant Sharma has been appointed the new Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Sharma's appointment for two years was approved by the SAARC Council of Ministers Friday, succeeding the incumbent Chenkyab Dorji of Bhutan. Announcing the decision, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the Council 'deeply appreciated the contribution' of Dorji to the development of SAARC. Sharma, a senior diplomat, has been spearheading India's position at the IAEA, where the country had to take difficult decisions on Iran nuclear issue and also initiate negotiations on a safeguards agreements as part of the India-US civilian nuclear deal. The last Indian to hold the SAARC Secretary General's post was Kant Kishore Bhargava from October 1989 to December 1991.

Courtesy: www.earthtimes.org, December 07, 2007

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