Global affairs remained as happening this week like they always endure. After the Chinese state-sponsored Global Times praising Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for his incredible global leadership, the US Secretary of State, Blinken praised Narendra Modi this week for his ‘remarkable achievements’ and his government that has benefited the relations of many ally countries. Proving him right objectively, this week, India took one more step to strengthen its strategic relationship with Latin American nations by signing a significant Lithium exploration pact with Argentina. Argentina is one of the three Lithium Triangle countries in Latin America and holds a great strategic significance. China has already invested heavily in these countries and Indian partnership with Argentina is considered as a major step not only to boost green development but also containing China in the region. On the other hand, China is baffled with the new anti-Chinese President in Taiwan. The recent elections in Taiwan seem to be escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region as the new President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, is labelled an ‘instigator of war’ by China, and will certainly impact the relations with China over the next four years.
Anti-Chinese President in Taiwan
China is perplexed with the new anti-Chinese President in Taiwan. Lai’s victory in the recent Taiwan reflects clear-cut anti-Chinese sentiments in Taiwan. He belongs to Democratic Progressive Party which openly condemns China’s territorial claims over Taiwan. Working as a true activist of his party, Lai has also advocated for Taiwan’s separate identity. During his electoral campaigns, Lai promised to work closely with the US to counter Chinese aggression. He also keeps introducing himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwanese independence”. Though he did not look very vocal for attaining a separate identity of Taiwan during the recent elections, his previous statements and intensions cannot be ignored. This development would certainly make China worrisome.
India signs a historic pact with Argentina
China would be worried with two more important global developments this week. India has signed a big deal with Argentine for Lithium exploration this week. India’s state-owned firm Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) signed a lithium exploration pact for five blocks in Argentina worth 24 million USD. As per the Mines Minister, Prahlad Joshi, “The project will help India strengthen lithium supplies, while developing lithium mining and downstream sectors of both the countries.” India is looking forward to sign overseas pact with the mineral-rich nations like Argentina and Australia to ensure sustainable development and phase out fossil fuels. With the pact KABIL has signed with Argentina, it has obtained exploration and exclusivity rights in Argentina to evaluate, and explore Lithium mineral, and use the same for commercial production. Argentina belongs to one of the three Lithium Triangle countries in Latin America; the other two are Chile and Bolivia. After the world is looking forward to the progressive ways to cut down the carbon emission and promote green energy, Lithium has become the most sought-after mineral. India is looking forward to the nations that can help it with Lithium exploration and production. This strategic move of India will certainly strengthen the strategic ties between India and Argentina. Also, this significant development will contribute to the SDGs meaningfully. However, China might not like this new strategic bond between India and Argentina!
Blinken wholeheartedly praises Modi
This week, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken wholeheartedly praised Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for marking an ‘extraordinary success story’ and benefiting the relations of many ally countries. While speaking at Davos in the World Economic Forum, Blinken explained how India-US relations have been established to a new level and how both the nations always keep democracy and human rights in the epicentre of their conversations.
“We see an extraordinary success story and we see the remarkable achievements that Prime Minister Modi has achieved moving forward under his watch that have materially benefited and positively affected so many of the allies. We also see our relationship between our countries that is in a new place at a new level. That’s been a very deliberate effort by both the Prime Minister and President Biden. At the same time, a constant and regular part of our conversation is the conversation about democracy and about human rights,” Blinken said.
The world needs to learn from the Vishwaguru and Vishwamitra! At this juncture, when we are living in an era of highly advanced technology, but facing a crucial challenge on our survival itself due to rapid environment degradation, we need to understand that mindless competition, wars or conflicts could not take us anywhere. India is not only spreading the message of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’ to bridge the gap among nations, it is also calling the nations for collaboration for it knows that it is the key to the golden future. It is up to the nations now to realise the same and collaborate.
The author is Professor, School of International Studies, JNU.