Goa Khabar: The biggest lesson India could learn from the on-going war in the Middle East is to become more self-reliant. This was one of the key opinions expressed by Happymon Jacob, Delhi based international relations expert and academic. Jacob was speaking on the topic: ‘Ten reflections on the Iran war- the view from Dehi’ as part of the ICG public lecture series at the International Centre Goa (ICG) on Saturday evening.
Commenting on India’s stance on the war, Jacob said, “One of the reasons why India has remained silent throughout this war is because we are dependant on the world for almost everything. Eighty per cent of our oil and energy comes from overseas. India will have to become more self-reliant if it wants to enjoy strategic autonomy.”
Jacob pointed out how India needed serious course correction. “Our spend on research and development is only 3 per cent of our GDP. This has to improve substantially. The ease of doing business has to improve. We need to build a much stronger manufacturing base and also manufacture our own defence equipment. Where are the white papers on manufacturing and economic growth?” Jacob asked.
Terming Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel, just 48 hours before the war with Iran as a diplomatic blunder, Jacob said, “India needs Israel in times of trouble, but there was absolutely no need for our prime minister to address the Israeli parliament and make a public show of our alliance. This will hurt us diplomatically. We need to be friends with Iran and Saudi Arabia also.”
According to Jacob, India’s continued silence on the on-going war will come at a cost. “There is a new world order emerging and India needs to be far more assertive if it wants to be part of this order,” Jacob said.
In conclusion, Jacob reiterated the need for India to become more innovative with their defence inventory. “The wars of today are increasingly asymmetrical in nature and the use of drones has been extensive. India needs to review its defence equipment strategy urgently,” Jacob said.
