Latest news with #LookEast
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Defense manufacturing can drive India's rise as global power: Ram Madhav
Ram Madhav (File photo) In a wide-ranging conversation with the Times of India, Ram Madhav , senior RSS member, outlines the strategic reorientation India must undertake to navigate a changing global order. From foreign policy to technology, economic growth to ideological values, and the Northeast to dharmocracy, Madhav, who also heads the think tank India Foundation, reflects on India's opportunities and challenges in the coming decades. In your new book, 'The New World: 21st Century Global Order and Bharat', you speak about a global churn. What is the biggest priority for India in this new world order? Ram Madhav: There is a big churn happening globally. The world is heading towards a completely different order after seven decades of a certain kind of geopolitical atmosphere. When you're confronted with a new order, you must shed some of the old habits and practices. I often cite Mao's infamous Cultural Revolution — not to endorse it, but as a metaphor. You need to think afresh. Historically, Indians have been very comfortable looking West — towards Europe and America. We do have strong ties with them. But a shift began with Narasimha Rao and taken further by Vajpayee through the Look East policy, which Modi upgraded to Act East. However, we still remain predominantly westward-facing. Meanwhile, the entire Eurasian region is in turmoil — the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Gaza-Israel tensions, and the Iran-Israel-US confrontation. These conflicts may end, but their impact will last for decades. In such a scenario, India must turn to its immediate and extended neighbourhood — Southeast Asia, ASEAN, and then the Global South, including Africa and Latin America. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo What will drive national growth in this new environment? Madhav: In the past, trade — especially in goods — powered national growth. Now, it will be technology. Prime Minister Modi has rightly focused on this with initiatives like the National Research Foundation and an emphasis on areas like quantum technology. But we still have a lot of ground to cover. Domestically, we must prioritise the economy over the next 20 years — something like what Bill Clinton famously said: 'It's the economy, stupid. ' Take China — between 1980 and 2000, it focused solely on economic growth. Deng Xiaoping even put communism on hold to prioritise economic development. India must aim for sustained 9–10% growth. The current 8% is good, but we must aspire for more. What about defense manufacturing? Madhav: That's a massive opportunity. Everyone talks about India's weakness in manufacturing, and it's true. But manufacturing has saturated globally, defense manufacturing has huge potential. India itself is a major consumer of defense equipment. Given the current global war-like environment, every nation is ramping up its defense. This is a golden opportunity not just for 'Make in India' but 'Make for the World'. That's where we can become a manufacturing powerhouse. You spoke of building 'Brand Bharat.' What does that entail? Madhav: In the outgoing world order — post-World War II — Western powers created institutions aligned with their interests and were able to set their agenda. But today, the West is no longer in a position to dictate the global agenda. If India doesn't take a proactive role, others like China will. India must assert itself not just as an economic and technological power, but also ideologically. Democracy is one such idea. The Chinese model offers economic freedom but not political freedom. Ours is different — full freedoms, rooted in pluralism, respect for sovereignty, patriotism, and sustainability. These are values India must articulate. Take yoga — that's one idea we gave to the world. The last profound political idea from India was Gandhi's non-violence. We must now think of the next idea. That's what I mean by Brand Bharat. You've also used the term 'dharmocracy'. Can you explain that? Madhav: Democracy, in its Western sense, often equates to majoritarianism — majority wins, period. In a dharmocracy, the majority may form a government, but governance must be through consensus. Gandhi's idea of Ram Rajya was not a theocracy — it was a model where the weakest had as much power as the strongest. Deendayal Upadhyaya also said that elections are majoritarian, but governance must be consensus-driven. That's the Indian model — dharmocracy. Can foreign universities in India help promote Brand Bharat? Madhav: Absolutely. Earlier, foreign dignitaries visiting India were taken to Qutub Minar or Red Fort — symbols of our subjugation. Today, they also visit temples, attend Ganga Aarti. That's our civilizational identity. But we can build up on that. With nearly 100 foreign institutions now allowed to open campuses in India, they will engage with India from the inside. However, they will mostly teach Indian students. So our education system must consciously integrate Brand Bharat thinking. RSS is entering its 100th year. What is the vision going forward? Madhav: Formal centenary celebrations begin in October. The Sarsanghchalak will share the vision then. But as someone associated with RSS for decades, I can say this: it's a unique organisation. In 100 years, there has been no split, no dissidence, no weakening — only growth. It's entirely voluntary. No one is paid. It's run by those who see it as a duty. Its openness, adaptability, and relevance in every era are its strengths. Whether during the 1962 war, the Emergency, or the Ram Janmabhoomi movement — RSS remained central to India's national life. It is an organisation that deserves academic study in itself. You have worked extensively in the Northeast. What explains the political shift there? Madhav: I don't believe in right-left binaries. But yes, the rise of BJP and nationalist sentiments in the Northeast, especially in the last 10 years, has brought emotional integration with the rest of India. Earlier, people there felt Delhi was another country. That has changed. Under PM Modi, every week a minister visited some state. This continuous engagement built a sense of belonging. When we contested in Nagaland in 2017, even in remote villages, BJP flags were seen. We won 12 out of 20 seats we contested. Such change signals, besides representing BJP's appeal, a deep emotional integration. And RSS's role there? Madhav: RSS has worked there under extremely difficult conditions. Cadres were kidnapped, tortured, even killed. Yet they went from across India — from Kerala, Maharashtra — to serve those areas, often with no knowledge of local languages or familiarity of food habits. Organisations like Vivekananda Kendra and Ramakrishna Mission played vital roles in tribal education and cultural pride. Today, Arunachal Pradesh, for instance, communicates in Hindi. That wasn't imposed — it evolved naturally due to years of engagement. That silent foundational work held the region together in its most fragile times.
India Gazette
28-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Towering statesman and scholar par excellence": Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to former PM PV Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Saturday, paid tribute to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao on his 104th birth anniversary. In an X post, the Defence Minister wrote, 'Remembering former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao Garu on his birth anniversary. He was a towering statesman and scholar par excellence.' Union Minister Rajnath Singh noted that PV Narasimha Rao's tenure as the Prime Minister witnessed 'far-reaching economic progress'. 'His tenure as Prime Minister of India made notable contribution in far-reaching economic progress and national development,' the X post read. Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tributes to the former Prime Minister. In a post on X, Kharge said that Rao's far-reaching economic liberalisation policies were instrumental in 'catalysing an era of unprecedented national growth.' 'We pay our tributes to Former Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, on his birth anniversary. His government's far-reaching economic liberalisation policies were instrumental in catalysing an era of unprecedented national growth,' Kharge said. The Congress Chief further said that the reforms brought by Rao were pivotal in the 'upliftment' and 'expansion' of the middle class, and laid a foundation for a more 'formidable and resilient India'. 'These reforms were pivotal in the upliftment and expansion of the middle class, thereby laying a robust foundation for a more formidable and resilient India. His tenure was also distinguished by significant advancements in India's nuclear program and the initiation of several forward-thinking foreign policy endeavours, most notably the 'Look East' policy,' Mallikarjun Kharge said. 'His vital role in progress and strengthening of our nation shall always be remembered,' Kharge added. Born on June 28, 1921, in Karimnagar, Telangana, and being an agriculturist and an advocate, Narasimha Rao joined politics and held some important portfolios. He was the Minister of Law and Information, 1962-64; Law and Endowments, 1964-67; Health and Medicine, 1967; and Education, 1968-71, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Rao took over the post of the Home Minister on July 19, 1984 and was re-appointed to this post, with the additional charge of the Ministry of Planning on November 5, 1984. He was appointed as the Minister of Defence from December 31, 1984, to September 25, 1985. On September 25, 1985, he took over as the Minister of Human Resource Development. He was India's Prime Minister from June 21, 1991, to May 16, 1996. (ANI)
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Boy's sea rescue captured on live TV report
TV viewers were given a stark reminder of the dangers of the sea when a boy became stranded live on air. BBC journalist Debbie Tubby was reporting from Wells-next-the-Sea when cameras captured the 13-year-old getting cut-off on Friday. People watching Look East were able to look on in real time as the beach-goer was loaded on to a lifeboat. Presenter Susie Fowler-Watt said the incident had a "happy ending" as the boy was brought ashore. It happened shortly after the regional news show started airing at 18:30 BST. The BBC was broadcasting live from the popular beach after 40 people were cut-off by the tide within two hours the previous weekend. Almost three minutes into the report, cameras cut to show the boy sitting on sand while surrounded by water. Watch: BBC Look East "You might be able to see a boy who's actually stuck on the sand bar out several metres away from me," said Tubby, live on air. "The RNLI has been launched to try and get him so hopefully we'll get him back safe and sound." The programme continued with other reports before returning to Tubby about nine minutes later. Footage showed the sand had all-but-disappeared and the boy was being helped by an RNLI crew. Speaking from the studio in Norwich, presenter Fowler-Watt said: "This is what we were talking about earlier, how precarious it can become very quickly. "Luckily, the RNLI has reached the boy and he looks like he's safely on the boat there, so a happy ending in that particular scenario." The boy's mother later told Tubby she was grateful for the help he received, but admitted he should be "slightly embarrassed". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Forty people rescued in a day despite tide warning Beachgoers warned of 'incredibly hazardous' tides Beachgoers urged to check tide times after rescues RNLI
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
BBC TV report captures sea rescue live from beach in Norfolk
TV viewers were given a stark reminder of the dangers of the sea when a boy became stranded live on journalist Debbie Tubby was reporting from Wells-next-the-Sea when cameras captured the 13-year-old getting cut-off on watching Look East were able to look on in real time as the beach-goer was loaded on to a Susie Fowler-Watt said the incident had a "happy ending" as the boy was brought ashore. It happened shortly after the regional news show started airing at 18:30 BBC was broadcasting live from the popular beach after 40 people were cut-off by the tide within two hours the previous weekend. Almost three minutes into the report, cameras cut to show the boy sitting on sand while surrounded by water."You might be able to see a boy who's actually stuck on the sand bar out several metres away from me," said Tubby, live on air."The RNLI has been launched to try and get him so hopefully we'll get him back safe and sound." 'Slightly embarrassed' The programme continued with other reports before returning to Tubby about nine minutes showed the sand had all-but-disappeared and the boy was being helped by an RNLI crew. Speaking from the studio in Norwich, presenter Fowler-Watt said: "This is what we were talking about earlier, how precarious it can become very quickly."Luckily, the RNLI has reached the boy and he looks like he's safely on the boat there, so a happy ending in that particular scenario."The boy's mother later told Tubby she was grateful for the help he received, but admitted he should be "slightly embarrassed". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Labelling ASEAN countries as China's ‘B-team' unwarranted, insulting: Congress
The Congress on Friday hit out at Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal for his remarks against the India-ASEAN trade agreements, signed under the UPA government, saying labelling these countries as 'B team of China' is 'irresponsible and insulting'. Speaking at the India Global Forum (IGF) session in London, Goyal said, 'There was a point of time 15 years ago when we were more focused on doing FTAs with countries who were our competitors. So if I am doing an ASEAN agreement, it really is silly because (that is) opening up my market to my competitors, many of whom have now become the B team of China.' 'So effectively and indirectly, I have opened up my market for goods that find their way from China into India,' Goyal had said. Sharma, a former Union Commerce Minister, Friday said in a statement, 'Piyush Goyal's statement terming the Trade agreement with ASEAN as silly and labelling these countries as B team of China is irresponsible and insulting.' He said India and ASEAN countries 'have been engaged in a multifaceted relationship for over three decades' which is 'mutually rewarding and important'. 'This is an integral part of the Look East policy to deepen and diversify India's relations with a region economically vibrant and of enormous geostrategic importance…' 'The Commerce Minister should be prioritising strengthening trade relations with partner countries and not insulting them while bending backwards to negotiate a suboptimal trade agreement with US on its terms,' he added.
