India's relationship with her weak neighbours

[Kilimanjaro]

India is surrounded by 6 countries by land and 1 by sea . Some of the countries like Bhutan, Bangaldesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka were perceived to be friendly countries. But the recent happenings reminds us of the vulnerability around us.

[chicagocub]

we shd have long back taken over nepal just like kashmir and nizam kingdom. but anyway.....our position now is strong with paki and other countries not progressing because of their own internal probs. but bangla shd be given a fitting bashing for the recent BSF killings. we can easily dominate bhutan and other little nations......pakis r destroying their future by internal foolish bickering. srilanka is busy with its tigers...but ultimately we shd be cautious enough under all conditions, as our ours is the only secular country.

[Govind]

Woah!!! For your kind information, India did NOT take over Kashmir. The kingdom of Kashmir acceded to India when faced with a threat of invasion from Pakistan.
Also, I think your philosophy of muscle flexing is too hawkish. We do not need to take over these smaller nations. I agree that the BSF command should have given a fitting reply to the BDR adventurism. But taking over the other countries is stretching things to the extreme. Economic supreriority is the mantra my friend. We should try to become an economic superpower along with being a military power.

[chicagocub]

govind............i agree with ur ideas.....economis power can do wonders....as u see.....when money speaks, nobody dares to object....india is slowly getting into the mould of a super-power......we shd exercise restraint as of now......by taking over i meant....they shd not think of attacking india.....israel is surrounded by 5 islamis nations....yet they never dare to invade the israelis......i would like to see india also in a similar position.....

[Govind]

I totally agree. India is seen as a soft target who does not retaliate with conviction. Our response in most cases is not very well coordinated. For example, in this case, where the BDR perpetrated the massacre, it looks like they were acting on their own. So the best thing would have been, to pay them back in the same coin without giving too much publicity. The local commanding officers should have instructed their troops to retaliate firmly. Once the issue raises to the highest level, we cannot expect any retribution.

[prakup]

Hey you guys! I think you are missing the whole point here. I may be wrong, but I think that the lot of the country can be bettered only when there is strong leadership. And pray! Who has seen true leadership in the past fifty years? Where have all the leaders gone? Where have the revolutionaries, who dared to stand up against injustice gone? Where have knowledgeable countrymen gone? Where have the intellectuals hidden themselves and their ideologies? Today, we have become a nation of gullible people, foolish enough to vest criminals and unscrupulous elements with supreme power. The result was there for all to see in the (ongoing) Tamil nadu fiasco. Unless we get out of the clutches of corrupt and parasitic politicians, there can be no hope for a glorious future. And we need to find some TRUE leadership. Selfless devotion, strong principles, ethics and morals. And the courage to stand up against atrocities of any kind and to question the perpetrators. Until that happens, I don\'t see any sort of growth.

[conscious]

Its funny that everyone talks about military and economic superiority. How long do you think it will take us to get to a level where we can call ourselves \"superior\"? And superiority over what and who anyway? I have been to most countries in Asia and trust me, I think Vietnam is about the only one that is on par when it comes to economic equity with India. Thailand, and China on the other hand grew from nothing 20 years ago, to one of the most prosperous nations around. They are both an easy 25 years ahead of India. Has anyone ever thought why we can\'t keep up with the pace? The key I think lies in the people and the culture. We need to nip it in the bud and start thinking root causes. If people broaden perspectives on who they want to be and what they want their country to be, they will start seeing changes. Weed out social and political discrimination from society and watch the country evolve into a friendly and responsible neighbor. Question how you think about people of a different caste, relegion, culture, country, and economic stature. Question why your streets are dirty and who litters. Question who jumps signals and speeds over the limits. Question why we hate Pakistan so much when it was a part of our own. Try to think what our neighbors think of us - most of them think we are the bully in the backyard. You will find that the answer lies in each of us. Try to develop into model citizens and you will see the others follow. Call your neighbors \"weak\" and it is we that will be. It is time to look into ourselves and try to be more constructive with the way we critisize. Critisize the way we are and learn from the others, not critisize others and expect them to learn from us. Good life, my friends is not given to us in a platter, we have to snatch it while the opportunity exists.