India, through the eyes of a neighbor

India is the largest country of South Asia also known as the largest democracy of the world. The ancient history of India is similar to the other members of SAARC as all belong to a single history with deferent culture. The ancient civilization of Indus, Gnaga, Yamuna, Shwarashati, Barak, Brahmaputra, Krishna, Mahanadi, Cauvery valley and basin and islandic civilization of Indian ocean are the basic of present day South Asian nations. India alone occupied maximum of this vast human civilization.

As a matter of fact the politics, economy, foreign policy and social happenings of India impact intensively on the politics, economy and even on the social life of other SAARC nations. Even the environment and ecology, trade and business, knowledge and information and people to people connectivity of this region are strongly related to the nature and pattern of the behavior of India. Of course politics, political institutions and leaders are the representative of nation. So the behavioral pattern of political institutions and political development in India matter a lot for total South Asia. As the country is one of two nuclear powers of the region it has a very significant role in international politics as well.

It was observed that, from the historic period, mostly northern India is the center of political power. In other words, from mythological Hastinapur to present day Delhi is the center of political power. Though just pre British India was divided into many political centers, northern i.e. Delhi was enjoying the glory of royal flavor. In 1947 Present day India emerged along with Pakistan. By the time the region South Asia experienced many political developments and of course India, as large state, had obvious role in that process. For example, the independent of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka crisis and formation of SAARC could be cited. In the process of political development and changes in South Asia Indian role was more or less determined by the philosophy of party in power and persons in leadership. So, Indian leadership and general elections were the focal point of political observers always and of course upcoming parliament election is also an important political event to be observed.

Before decades, Indian National Congress was only national political party i.e. the political institution that governed the country, run the administration and bonded together the diversities in terms of ethnicity and religion as the party march forward with secular outlook, philosophy and practice. This spirit of politics was effectively active up to the saline Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. After his unexpected death, must say, Indian national congress lost its philosophical strength in its inner self and that caused many socio-political changes in India, which impact on total South Asia.

In true sense, death of Rajiv Gandhi was a great lose for congress in particular and for India in general. After the killing of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi as successor of his mother was not carrying that height of personality, which his mother had. But his pleasant behavior, sense of responsibility, depth of knowledge and love to the job and nation made him perfect leader and of course true successor of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Present Congress is also an extension of Rajiv era.

His death made congress weaker to control India politically. This vacuum pushed the country in a political chaos, which facilitate the emergence of strong local parties, Hindu conservatism, Muslim militancy, insurgency in terms of self rule in many regions and Maoism as philosophy. On the other hand as a state remain secular by constitutional bindings, but the society has lost the direction of secularism and started becoming conservative in terms of cast, creed and religion. Though many local parties believe in secularism and progressive philosophy the do not have the power that binds the whole nation and motivate the mass what was done by the leadership like Jawhar Lal Neheru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and their fellow colleagues.

Absence of strong political entities in India has an adverse impact on the relationship among neighbors, because the federal government has to spent time, energy and concentration for their survival. Moreover poor leadership has no that much of honor to the pattern of relationship with neighbors, which was built over the time on the basis of two way respects and mutual trust. Besides this, absence of strong nationwide political party, many sideline parties are getting importance, which they do not deserve. In political culture horse trading emerged as a common phenomenon. These phenomena created another culture that a little bit chauvinistic nationalism to inspired people. It is a hard truth that weak leadership has the trend to create enemy inside and agitate the people to fight it out. So far India is also not an exception, as observer in recent past, especially after the tragic death of Rajiv Gandhi. Rather the state emerged as a military power by abandoning its philosophy of welfare.

For India, of course for better diplomatic atmosphere in South Asia a strong stable government in New Delhi is essential, which will be secular by philosophy, democratic in practice and friendly with the neighbors that might create a business friendly environment among SAARC members.

It will be impractical if anyone tells that present day congress is the party and political force that could be able to meet up the demand of time that needed by Indian people and for a better trade oriented SAARC. But it is also a hard truth that to encounter conservativeness, chauvinism, militancy, terrorism and instability Congress is the party that could led a secular political force for a more acceptable government. Leftist parties in India have also an important role in building India a secular state. But the split process of leftist camp in last century make them handicap to be a countrywide political force. Rather they were happy with their strong presence in provincial level.

Once Congress was a hub of patriotic secular Indians, no matter they are socialists, capitalists or new revolutionaries. If present day Indian National Congress reorganizes itself like past glory could be contribute more for in the history. One renowned intellectual of Bangladesh let Ahammad Safa said that in Bangladesh If Awami League win, only Awami League win; if Awami League defeated, defeat come for the whole nation. Possibly it is also true for the Congress in India that if Congress win, only congress win; if congress defeated, seculars in India defeated.