Modi revives the concept of ‘cultural empire’ to counter China’s influence
By Kartik Lokhande The recent visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to India and forging of ‘defence co-operation’ between both the countries; and docking in of Chinese submarine allowed by Sri Lanka may appear to be unrelated developments to layman. However, both are related and the second one is rather an indication of Chinese appreciation of India’s systematic attempt to counter the Chinese influence in the form of ‘String of Pearls’ around India. Going by the flurry of foreign visits and emphasis on forging of ties with strategically, economically, and geopolitically important nations, it is evident that India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confidently begun its systematic attempt to counter Chinese ‘String of Pearls’. Inking of pacts between Vietnam and India during the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister, is one important part of Modi Government’s efforts to regain the lost ground of influence in its neighbourhood. One of the agreements signed ...