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For some time now, there has been a buzz about India's growing role in the world and a widespread feeling that India must play a much larger global role. Today, this feeling has become far more acute.
It is important, then, that there should be greater, and more widespread, awareness of foreign policy challenges faced by India, as well as a deeper understanding of the stakes and options for India's foreign policy. The public needs to be more knowledgeable about foreign affairs, which cannot be the concern only of those who exercise power in New Delhi. It is something in which every citizen should be involved. It is also essential that there should be a vibrant and constructive debate, especially involving the young, on where we are headed and why, because unless there is public support our foreign policy will not be successful. Some recent incidents pertaining to our relations with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh where the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal respectively forced the hand of the Central Government illustrate this point. I am glad that the BJP manifesto talks about having a "Team India" that brings together the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers of States.
My conversation with you today is a small effort to create this awareness, perhaps stimulate your imagination and set you thinking. This is particularly important because I believe that the world has been in a state of flux for about 25 years. The French Revolution of 1789 was a remarkable event that signalled the end of feudalism, and marked the beginning of the modern era. 'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity' were the slogans of the French Revolution. The French Revolution planted the seeds of hope among the masses, but it was followed by a quarter century of disorder and chaos in Europe. Napoleon rose to power, but was then defeated and exiled. It was only in 1815 that the Congress of Vienna established a 'Concert of Europe' that brought some peace and stability to Europe. Exactly 200 years later, in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Communism collapsed. Like the French Revolution, this too was a very important turning point in world history. If one were to choose one defining idea of the 20th...