India is a maritime nation’ is an oft-heard phrase, strategically inserted into speeches of senior politicians and government functionaries. It has a nice ring to it. People believe what they say because of the exalted stature of the speakers. Besides, it sounds quite self-glorifying. This belief, however, is not necessarily because we understand what it means to be a maritime nation.
Geographically, India is a maritime nation. There was never a doubt about it. Very few countries in the world have oceans on three sides. No other country in the world has an ocean named after it. India’s maritime and seafaring tradition dates back to 3,000 BCE when the Indus Valley civilisation was known to have maritime trade with Mesopotamia.
Geography has time and again shaped the history of nations. Rivers and seas have been critical elements of such civilisational histories, be it the early Egyptian civilisation along the banks of the Nile or our very own Indus Valley. Two-thirds of civilisations live within 200 miles from coasts. It is also an undeniable fact of history that invaders who came to India across the land borders either went back or were assimilated, but the colonisers who came to India from the sea enslaved, plundered and looted the Indian people for over three centuries.
Does India possess a maritime mindset? The answer is a big ‘no.’ It was a bigger ‘no’ till even a few years ago. It has been a recent realisation that India has to look towards the sea not just to counter maritime adversaries, but also for its economic well-being. This is what we term as the ‘Blue Economy’. We are ‘Blue’ in word, but not in thought and deed. Here is why.
DEFENCE
Denne historien er fra December 31, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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Denne historien er fra December 31, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock