Modi’s “Howdy” to Diplomacy a “Diplomatic Invention”

The major accomplishment of this “Diplomatic Invention of addressing Indian diaspora” has been to raise the message of Indian cultural, religious, linguistic ecosystem.

On Sunday the 22nd September 2019, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets on the stage along with President Donald Trump in NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas to a houseful 50,000 Indian diaspora. It signals to the world a new level of diplomacy which India has been engaging. As White House spokesperson rightly pointed out that “It will be a great opportunity to emphasize the strong ties between the people of the United States and India and to reaffirm the strategic relationship between worlds oldest and largest democracies.” This would also be the first time that an American president would be addressing thousands of Indian-Americans at one place in the US.

It is a “Diplomatic Invention” of Narendra Modi in addressing Indian diaspora on his foreign visits which have given roar to India’s titanic soft power assets. Now he has added an extra layer of diplomacy for Indians in every corner of the globe. India has always been projecting its soft powers for decades. With Prime Minister’s address to Indian communities in their home ground, it has added an edge to the soft power diplomacy which now goes beyond books, culture, religions, communities, languages. This has lead to turning the Indian diaspora as a big tool of India’s foreign policy. It signals to the host countries that people of Indian origin are invaluable assets to them.

Narendra Modi has now a force multiplier which makes India’s presence in various part of the world more organized, united and visible at the grassroots level.

Through his address to the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister Modi has started uniting Indians (Sabka Saath) who are one of the largest international migrants with approximately 25 million migrant population. No other Indian Prime Minister has ever united Indians globally. This has lead to a sense of national pride amongst NRIs.

His speeches to Indians in a foreign land have ignited patriotism and thereby have them interested in funding them for nation-building project (Saab Ka Vikas). His events often have roaring approval amongst all in every country whether it is USA, Australia, Bahrain, France, South Africa. This has lead to confidence (Saab ka Vishwas) amongst Indians that they have a leader who will stand by them. The best example can be cited through Operation Raahat extradition of 5000 Indians citizen and foreign nationals struck in Yemen Crisis.

The major accomplishment of this “Diplomatic Invention of addressing Indian diaspora” has been to raise the message of Indian cultural, religious, linguistic ecosystem. Today the world has accepted Yoga, Ayurveda.

Media which always projected a dismal image about India has been dented with Modi’s doctrine which has an acceptance not only to people living in India but also amongst NRIs. Narendra Modi has now a force multiplier which makes India’s presence in various part of the world more organized, united and visible at the grassroots level. The benefits of people-to-people approach of Indian Prime Minister and the public relations with the Indian diaspora has turned the country into “VIBRANT” Nation (uttishthha उत्तिष्ठ & Shrestha श्रेष्ठ Bharat) on the world stage.

Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.