India and the American Empire
Although most Americans would not agree with me America today is an empire just like the British, Soviet, Spanish, Byzantine and Roman empires before them. America is unlike previous empires in the sense that it does not occupy large areas of land that does not belong to them (except in the case of Iraq and Afghanistan). But this depends on the way one wants to see it. Many countries like Japan, Korea, Germany and many others in Western Europe have large American troop presence. In Japan alone America has over 33,000 troops (the Japanese government pays about $2 billion/year to support these troops). An equal number of American troops are stationed in South Korea. In all it is estimated that the United States has about 250,000 troops stationed outside the country.
There are many explanations (from the Americans and by the host country) for the presence of large number of troops in overseas American bases (the South Koreans will claim that the American troops are there to prevent an attack from North Korea. The Japanese would claim that the troops are there to prevent an attack from China). But one thing is clear. The host countries like Japan, Korea, Germany or Italy have very little say on how long these bases are going to be used by the Americans. These American bases in far reaches of the earth are going to be there for a very long period of time.
An empire is not just about military might. Empires typically export their “cultural values”. The most recent example is the British and Portuguese Empire. India was not just part of the British and Portuguese Empires from a geographical stand point but we part of these empires culturally too. They have exported their religion (Christianity) and their conservative Victorian values to India. Most of us speak or understand English (many in Goa still speak Portuguese). Our country is set up and administered mainly using the British parliamentary system. The leader of our country is a “Prime Minister” and the country is divided into “districts” with the leader of the district being a “Collector” or “Magistrate” and most of us are still crazy about this game called Cricket.
But Indians like citizens of many other past colonies are very wary about playing second fiddle to empires. But the reality is that this cannot be avoided. In my opinion Empires rise mostly because of the nature of human society. Some of us are leaders and crave for attention and power while others are very comfortable following these so-called leaders. Although Indians by and large are some of the most pacifist people around India clearly has leadership (and maybe a future minor empire) aspirations. While most of us criticize the American empire and their misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan, we at the same time want to make sure that things in the Indian sub continent go according to our plans (deep inside we want countries like Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to fall in our sphere of influence rather than the Chinese).
So how does India (a potential future mini empire) deal with the current empire? India has to make sure that our foreign policy is in tune with American policy (we cannot at this time in history afford to contradict American policy). One of the greatest failures of India’s foreign policy in recent years was India’s failed attempt to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Almost all countries in the world agreed that India should be a permanent member of the council except the United States (India votes with Russia 70% of the time at the United Nations. America was not about to allow a country with that type of partisan voting record to sit next to it at the Security Council).
India seems to have learnt from this mistake. India is now lobbying the United States to become a “non-permanent” member of the Security Council (something the US is open to at this time. This idea already has the blessing of former president George Bush). India also signed a “civilian nuclear agreement” with the United States first before approaching counties like Russia, France, Canada and Britain for nuclear technology that it badly needs for its growing economy (it would be impossible to get access to latest technology without signing the NPT). So by signing the civilian agreement with the United States we can have the cake and eat it too!!
The thoughts on the relationship between India and the United States should not be taken to mean that India is second rate country or an unequal partner. It is an expression of where these countries stand currently from an economic and military standpoint. India’s contribution to this world in may key aspects of human life and civilization is second to none over thousands of years. We can proudly walk with our head held high. But as a modern nation we have a long way to go and many domestic issues to solve before we can think about our global aspirations. But more importantly we should manage our polices and growth in such a way that it stays true to our past. As Hu Shih (former Chinese ambassador to the United States) said “India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across the border”. That is the kind of Empire I want India to be.
Related posts:
- American Official: Muslims in India are Not Terrorists
- The Climate Change Imperialists
- Cheap American Consumer
- Should India Become a Permanent Member of the Security Council?
- Indians Morally Superior to Westerners?
Category: Culture & Religion