CPEC Is a Sea Change and Work to Achieve Peace As If There’S No Terror YITZHAK RABIN It Transforms the Matrix of Opportunities and Threats in India’S Neighbourhood

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THE TIMES OF INDIA, AHMEDABAD 14 AN EPIPHANY OF IDEAS THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017

A thought for today We must fight terrorism as if there’s no peace process CPEC Is A Sea Change and work to achieve peace as if there’s no terror YITZHAK RABIN It transforms the matrix of opportunities and threats in India’s neighbourhood

[email protected] Thus, while there will be a panoply of tax and duty concessions for Chinese Raising Costs President Donald enterprises – not available to Pakistani Trump’s “America first” businessmen, let alone investors from policies have led to other countries – the bulk of the aid will Assaults on Pakistan army posts must be America contemplating consist either of expensive loans or equity complemented by other anti-terror strategies (mostly) its own navel, transfers. Pakistan was made to refuse a while the domestic loan offer from the multilateral Asian fter the beheading of two Indian soldiers on May 1, India has politics of Great Britain – that former Development Bank for its $8 billion sought to “proactively dominate” the LoC with “punitive fire empire builder – seems to be about how to Peshawar-Karachi railway line, whose assaults” against Pakistan army posts. Such assaults them- make itself irrelevant in the world. Into funds must be drawn from a Chinese A that breach has stepped President Xi bank instead. Thousands of acres of land selves have precedence, but what is novel is the Indian army publicising Jinping with visions of making China are to be leased to Chinese entities. Visa- them and releasing a video. As summer is melting snows in Jammu great, and to that end he has been promot- free access to Pakistan is planned for & Kashmir and Pakistani efforts at armed infiltration are expected ing his signature ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ Chinese nationals, with no reciprocity. to rise these assaults, and the publicity given to them, are meant to (BRI) with missionary zeal. There is no clarity whatsoever on the demonstrate India’s will to check such infiltration. Xi declared the China Pakistan funding and repayment terms of CPEC They signal both that there will be retaliation for barbaric acts Economic Corridor (CPEC) to be BRI’s projects. One report cites a planning flagship, thereby hotting up Kiplingian ministry official to the effect that Pak- like the May 1 beheadings and that India too can use surprise as a ‘great games’ in India’s neighbourhood. istan has bound itself to awarding all tactical weapon these days, as seen with the surgical strikes carried Some enthusiastic commentators have CPEC projects to Chinese contractors at out by Indian special forces last year. There is a strategic logic to compared BRI to America’s Marshall whatever price the latter quote. Instead of raising the cost to Pakistan for fuelling anti-India terror. However, Plan to resuscitate postwar Europe. This being excited about CPEC, Pakistani busi- eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation alone is wildly optimistic. nessmen are apprehensive of its fallout. cannot work, in isolation from other When the Marshall Plan was launch- In short, if CPEC is BRI’s flagship,

ed the US bestrode the world economy rowe then BRI could be a way of exporting the strategies to bring down levels of violence like a colossus – accounting for close to debt problem that burdens the Chinese

and restore peace. 30% of global economic output – while Chad C economy and rapidly acquire assets In that context, the army’s decision to Europe and Japan lay in ruins. Moreover abroad. The Hambantota story is well honour a major who tied a civilian America was facing off with the Soviet under unprecedented pressure. According known: when the current Sri Lankan Union; the Cold War was just beginning. to Ruchir Sharma, Morgan Stanley’s chief government came to power it found itself to his jeep’s bonnet, as a human shield to If CPEC is BRI’s flagship, prevent mobs from attacking Election These factors made the Americans global strategist, China has kept its saddled with $8 billion in Chinese debt, remarkably generous. Most Marshall growth going after the 2008 financial crash then BRI could be a way of thanks to deals negotiated by the previous Commission staff, is a mistake. Even if Plan aid was in the form of grants instead mainly through stimulus measures, by Rajapaksa government. To help pay this it’s the case that the move was necessary of loans; Europeans themselves were pumping debt into wasteful projects. exporting the debt problem debt Sri Lanka now wants to sell off the to save lives, as the army contends, the asked to create their own plans to rebu- China’s public and private debts have that burdens the Chinese strategically located Hambantota port to optics is terrible. While the government ild their countries; technical assistance grown from a manageable 150% of GDP economy and rapidly a Chinese company, but is being held back was provided to European manufacturers. during the boom years to an unsustain- by vociferous political protests. is justified in taking action against stone pelters and violent mobs acquire assets abroad better means of crowd control which minimise collateral damage, Moreover the Americans extended able 260% now, which according to How should India play BRI? Its general Marshall Plan-like aid to Asian countries Sharma’s calculations will most likely attitude of wariness is the right one, but as well as better ways of winning hearts and minds in the Valley, such as Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, whipsaw its economy into a deep The Nawaz Sharif government has not that should be married to an awareness of need to be devised. and opened their market to them without slowdown or even a recession. The next yet released details of the CPEC master the compulsions and weaknesses driving More broadly army actions have to be complemented with strong reciprocal benefits. Soon, they would global financial recession, in fact, could plan which it agreed to in December 2015, Chinese policy, which Beijing will mask international diplomacy. One development Indian diplomats must flower into ‘miracle’ economies with be triggered by China. going so far as to characterise a recent by projecting its sense of manifest destiny promote to the fullest is President Donald Trump’s desire to convert explosive growth rates. The details of most BRI deals, nego- report detailing the plan in Pakistan’s and grandiose rhetoric around BRI. American military grants to Pakistan into a loan, even as Daniel Coats, Dating from 1948 the Marshall Plan, tiated between secretive governments, Dawn newspaper as an appalling ‘leak’ Such an awareness may even enable in fact, launched America as an outward are murky. They often have the flavour of (on par with Dawn’s earlier leak about New Delhi to leverage those compulsions the director of National Intelligence, has testified to ‘persistent’ looking, global power (some might argue the Mughal emperor bestowing a firman Islamabad pleading with Rawalpindi to and get Beijing to pay more attention to threat to the US and the West from Pakistan-based terror groups. that era ended in 2016 when America on the East India Company. The sub- curb its proxy warriors, a leak which its concerns. But for that it must be While seeking to weaken Washington’s support for the Pakistan elected Trump and looked to return to continent has seen this movie before and incensed the military and caused senior prepared to negotiate hard and keep its army, New Delhi must also pursue back channel talks with the same. pre-World War II isolationatism). So, did is understandably leery, including in government heads to roll). The shroud of own strengths in mind – unlike the Especially as every time India seeks to talk to the Pakistani civilian China just do in 2013 – when Xi launched Pakistan which otherwise sees China as secrecy, together with the sweeping and Pakistanis who have walked into a trap leadership, the effort is torpedoed. For example, the May 1 be BRI – what the US did in 1948? its “iron brother”. There’s a debate in ambitious scale of the plans as revealed driven by a simplistic worldview that Far from it. China’s own ‘miracle Pakistan now, on whether CPEC should by Pakistani press reports, incline one may be summed up by the quasi-Orwellian headings followed close on the heels of Sajjan Jindal meeting Prime growth’ has tapered off and its economy is be seen as a gift horse or a Trojan horse. towards the ‘Trojan horse’ metaphor. dictum: “China good, India bad”. Minister Nawaz Sharif. Changing Pakistan’s India policy requires engaging its real director – the Pakistan army. How to combine GST with a sharp Make in India strategy Reform Prisons to convert India into a global manufacturing hub Ajay Srivastava lower transportation and dis- from other countries. In less Reduce incarceration periods for undertrials tribution costs. Currently, firms than 15 years China emerged as who have not been convicted For most in- spend a high 5-8% as product dis- the leading exporter of electrical dustrial pro- tribution and warehousing cost. machinery, electronic and tele- he Law Commission is reported to have finalised recommen- ducts, GST rates The main reason for the high cost com equipment. India already dations for reform in bail jurisprudence. Specifically, the have been slated is the expense incurred on spends large amounts of foreign commission is expected to recommend release of undertrials at 18%. Today a branches and warehouses that exchange importing such items. T manufacturer exist due to tax saving rather Fourth, create large-scale who have served one-third of their maximum possible sentence. pays about 28-30% as taxes, so than business considerations. manufacturing facilities for This will be a welcome reform of India’s dysfunctional criminal this means an average saving of This would further reduce cost. producing skill- and labour- justice system which moves at a glacial pace, and the government around 10%. The lower tax rate is The lower taxes, simplified intensive products like auto should accept it. India’s jails are overcrowded and a majority of not the only benefit GST offers. It tax structure, seamless tax credit components, toys, furniture, prisoners are undertrials. Providing relief to them will not only be a will provide a push to manufac- footwear, apparels, mattresses, humane move, it will reform today’s counterproductive system turing in three big ways. locks, low-end engineering where long periods of incarceration for alleged petty crimes give One, GST replaces eight products. This would require central and nine state taxes such In less than 15 years focus on the following four precision mechanical devices, creating the largest possible rise to hardened criminals. as central excise duty, service China emerged as the manufacturing categories. integrated circuits, etc. This scale of organised production An undertrial is a prisoner in jail during an tax, state VAT and entry tax. This leading exporter of First, develop a plan to would require investments in that ensures economies of scale. investigation, an unconvicted prisoner. At the means the end of an era of multi- facilitate manufacture of factory existing and new R&D insti- India should move quickly as end of 2015, Indian jails had 2.82 lakh undertrials. ple taxes levied at central, state electronic and telecom machinery, the machinery that tutions headed by professionals the factories are easy to develop Close to half of them are below the age of 30, and local levels, each with a equipment. India already makes the goods. No nation of proven capability. Korea and can employ millions of often with limited education. A little over a decade different tax compliance system. spends large amounts becomes a manufacturing is an interesting example of people who can move from Two, GST reduces the cascad- power without manufacturing how a developing country can agriculture or informal sector to ago, the criminal procedure code was amended to ing effect of taxes. An example of foreign exchange capital goods. transition into a high-tech formal jobs. Labour law reforms provide for their release on a personal bond if will explain the current system. importing such items We can focus on semiconduc- manufacturing country largely are a critical factor in facilitating they had served half of their term. But this law is seldom followed. A manufacturer pays central tor making equipment (SME) through government driven large scale employment. In 2014 the Supreme Court had to direct the criminal justice system excise at 20% on a shirt of value facility and technology driven which is at the heart of most interventions, providing sub- GST will raise India’s to follow the law. Rs 100. Next, the state govern- easy tax compliance system import products/ sectors today: sidy on R&D investments. productivity and reduce prices. Therefore, on this occasion the government should not only ment charges VAT not on Rs 100 offered by GST provide an ideal computers, mobiles, telecom, Third, facilitate manufac- Combining GST with a clearly but on Rs 120 which is the value of platform to increase manufac- automobiles, and now Internet turing of computer, TV, mobile articulated manufacturing accept the recommendation but also nudge different parts of the shirt and the tax already paid. turing’s share of GDP from the of Things. Part of the technology phone and other electronic strategy would attract global criminal justice system to comply. As states oversee prisons there is VAT rate of 15% in effect becomes current 17.4% to 25% by 2025. for such products can be obtained and telecom equipment. This investments, create jobs and a lot they can do to ease the burden of a burgeoning undertrial popu- 18%, leading to a higher price of This would require India to through licences or outright sector made China the world’s make India a large manufactu- lation. For example, Tamil Nadu allows people arrested to be the shirt. GST resolves the issue expand its manufacturing purchase. But most critical will industrial giant. Starting in the ring nation within a few years. released on their bond till a charge-sheet is filed. Subsequently, the by integrating tax systems of value add to $837.7 billion and be to develop in-house industrial mid-1990s, China focussed on There cannot be a better state’s legal aid tries to help impoverished prisoners in for petty crimes. Centre and state. Also, GST is to manufacturing gross output to R&D centres. electronics and telecom sectors time to jump-start the Make in be paid only on the value addition $3.8 trillion by 2025. These are Second, set up facilities for where final products contained India programme. However, the last decade’s experience shows that it is not enough and not on absolute value. ambitious targets. Getting manufacturing of specialty a large number of components The writer is from the Indian just to change the law. The justice system must also follow suit. Three, GST would lead to there would require a laser-like materials, nanotechnology, and parts that could be imported Trade Service. Views are personal

dilbert Sacredspace Sindhiani vs Parsiwalli The Cycle After creation, living beings Getting butted by the battering that arose in the ocean of Ram called Jethmalani infinite consciousness like waves and ripples entered into Bachi Karkaria the physical space; and when the elements evolved they He’s defended almost the entire Rogues Gallery of India, but the feisty, 94-year-old lawyer can also turn as ‘rogue’ as an elephant became involved in them. in ‘masth’. If you’re lucky, it will be in ‘masti’, mota-moti. Invited Birth-death cycle began. to do the honours at a book event last Sunday, Ram Jethmalani knocked the gild off Mumbai’s Royal Opera House. Instead of the Yoga Vasishta de rigueur flattering, he subjected the author to rigorous battering. And, to the awed delight of the audience, turned a run-of-the-mill launch into a highly entertaining tour de force of stiletto wit and unstoppable oratory. Yours truly was the bali ki bakri of this Ram-a-damn. Mercifully, i wasn’t What Upsets Your Peace And Harmony? subjected to the 41 questions he recently shot at Arun Jaitley in the defamation case filed by the suave minister against loose-cannon Kejriwal. Three decades earlier, he’d fired 10 daily questions at Rajiv Gandhi. Those were on Bofors; India’s big Ramesh Balsekar That is what spiritual seeking is all action is a happening according to a deal with practical matters that involve guns – legal, naval, political, social – were also involved in the Nanavati case which about. Masters may talk about enlighten- Cosmic Law and not something ‘done’ by the past and future. The concept of the had triggered Sunday’s book. They had all lined up to exonerate the Accused, but here have been moments in almost ment or Self-realisation, but what does it an individual human being. He therefore ‘thinking and working mind’ is a great Jethmalani, then only a junior lawyer, had dismantled them with just one astute everyone’s life when one has really mean in one’s daily life? It can have does not blame anyone for whatever help. The ‘working mind’ is concerned observation: The Towel That Did Not Fall Off. It should have remained around the Texperienced the true joy of living, no meaning unless Self-realisation brings happens through any body-mind with resolving a practical problem in the dead Prem Ahuja’s waist if the Defence story was true: that Com- and calm, peace and tranquility. What with it the peace and tranquility that the organism. Hence, he is anchored in peace present moment. The mischievous mander Nanavati’s .38 Smith & Wesson had accidentally gone off disturbed such moments are usually sage enjoys in his life. and harmony: he is continuously ‘thinking mind’ dips into the past, erratica during a scuffle between lover and cuckolded husband. memories of something one has done or A sage is considered a sage comfortable with himself and projects itself into future uncertainties That mythic case had pitted Bombay’s toff-nosed Parsis not done or what one should have done. A because he seems to be anchored also comfortable with others. and interrupts the smooth and efficient against its Partition-displaced Sindhis for the first time – and presumably the load of guilt and shame, carried by the in peace and tranquility while Consciousness is the subjec- functioning of the ‘working mind’ in the last. But, in a 30-minute fusillade, Jethmalani accused the author of perpetrating ego and relived in memory every facing the usual pains and plea- tiveand dynamic perceiving present moment. the bias all over again, and totally ignoring her plaintive ‘Objection, Milord!’ now and then, makes one extremely sures of daily living in his chosen aspect of the static Conscious- To prevent this, let not the thinking There i’d been preening over how i'd painstakingly redeemed the victim who uncomfortable. Or, it could be something field of activity, like any other ness, while the objective aspect is mind have any sustenance. Purpose, had been turned forever into Unmitigated Villain while Accused Ban Gaya that someone else did that affected one ordinary person. We are attracted the perceived, dreamed and effort, hope and belief become the Hero, and here i was now blushing deeper than my scarlet crepe sari. adversely one way or other: a load of to the sage for this very reason. discriminated element. In other inspiration but when one pursues these What chance did this puny Parsi have against the celebrated Sindhi – a total hatred or jealousy for someone! What does ‘Self-realisation’ words, the dream that is the values, one is usually unaware of the reversal of the Blitz-pumped-up skew 60 years ago? The feisty nonagenarian So those rare moments of the sheer mean to the sage? Both the sage the phenomenal manifestation interconnected opposites to which they also conclusively answered his version of the Beatles question: ‘Will you still joy of Being are suddenly disturbed by and the ordinary person respond occurs in Consciousness. It is are inevitably attached: hopelessness, heed me. Will I still bleed you,/ When I’m 94?!’ thoughts of blaming oneself or someone to their respective names being speaking perceived and cognised in Cons- confusion, failure, frustration. *** else for something. What would the called. In both cases, there is tree ciousness and is interpreted by In relying on one’s personal effort, Alec Smart said: “Suresh Prabhu’s warning, ‘To catch a train, don’t position be if one could have been abso- identification with the body and the name Consciousness through the duality that is one should not forget the basic principle take a plane.’” lutely convinced that no action is any- as an individual entity separate from all the basis for all phenomenal manifes- in every religion, “Thy Will Be Done; [email protected] one’s doing, that all actions were merely others. The sage, unlike an ordinary tation: the subject-object relationship. Inshah Allah; Thou art the Doer and http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/erratica a happening that simply had to happen? individual, totally accepts that every This does not mean that you do not Thou art the Experiencer.”