NASHIK: In the next ten years, we will see drastic changes. The hope that India will lead the world is felt by other small nations, including Islamic nations, which are standing by India’s side, thus expressed by defence expert and senior journalist Nitin Gokhale. “In order to make India more efficient than other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, we have had to pay more attention to militarization and economic matters,” he added.
On the occasion of the 149th birth anniversary of Dharmaveer Dr. B S Moonje, defence expert Gokhale spoke at length in the memorial lecture series on the topic “Geopolitics in 2030 – Indo-Pacific”. Convenor Hemant Deshpande chaired the function. Ranjit Singh Anand, Founder President of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation was the Chief Guest.
Dr. Dilip Belgaonkar, Capt Shripad Naravane were present among the dignitaries. Gokhale gave various examples of the importance of the Indo-Pacific region. The area from Iran to Japan was called the Asia Pacific, but then its definition changed, with China, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia gaining prominence over the last 20 years.
Today, China has become an economic powerhouse, and India has a different significance. The expansion of the Indo-Pacific is big. The US is more prevalent, its influence seems to have lasted for more than 70 years. The US seems to have dominated the ASEAN countries like Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, we see the influence from Japan to Bangladesh, Thailand, he said. Gokhale noted that the United States has at one time or another favoured Pakistan, adding that India’s importance has increased over the last 20 years.
He said that each country has its own unique strength, which is seen in its policies. The next ten years will see a complete change. India’s role in this great game is very important. The progress of Hong Kong and Thailand is astounding. India’s confidence increased When it comes time to stand up against China, India can compete with them competently. India is now recognized as the only country that opposes and confronts China.
The manner in which India’s response to the attacks has soared has raised India’s profile, and other countries are looking at India with a reassuring eye. Richard Nixon toured China in 1972. There they made some agreements in terms of trade and industry, but no further progress was made as per the agreement.
China has empowered itself today and other countries, including the United States, are nowhere near it. He said that China has taken many small countries into its custody in different ways so that these countries can be seen living under the umbrella of China. Naturally, China has lost its temper due to the non-payment of debts. The big challenge for India will be to make all these countries favourable or to attract their sympathetic help.
China is always ready to help Pakistan and is ready to do anything against India, Gokhale said. The Indian system needs to change The workings of our government system are slow. Mentioning that time goes by, he said that military might is the strength of India. We give everything with new technology, but our leadership lacked willpower, so nothing could happen, now the situation is changing. Our friendship has grown with other countries,” he added.
