Opinion | Modi's 'mindset' perfectly matches Xi's as both agreeably advocate harmony and humanity
By Augustus K. Yeung
INTRODUCTION
PM Narendra Modi of India accepted his presidency of next G20 in Bali, Indonesia, doctoring the world's ill-health. He offers prescriptions for healing, the way that China's President Xi Jinping has been advocating.
Due to ideological differences, the Western world finds it convenient to turn a deaf ear to the Chinese leader's philosophy of governance.
Now it is Modi, prime minister of India – the world's largest democracy by population – that is selling oriental philosophy of 'harmony', 'one-ness', etc.
Will the Western world's leaders with their mindset listen to Modi? Xi's doctrine of golden mean may gain ground.
Anwar, the globalist should find these two fellow Asian leaders' mindsets helpful in harnessing his beloved Malaysia divided along the fault lines of ethnicity.
More converts may join these great leaders who think alike.
Now let's piously lend Modi our ears.
Modi Challenges Western Assumptions of Competition and Confrontation
"Today, India commences its Group of 20 (G20) presidency. The previous 17 G20 presidencies delivered significant results for ensuring macroeconomic stability, rationalizing international taxation and relieving the debt burden on countries… We will benefit from these achievements and build further on them," pledged Modi.
"However, as India assumes this important mantle, I ask myself – can the G20 go further still? Can we catalyze a fundamental mindset shift to benefit humanity as a whole? I believe we can."
"Our mindsets are shaped by our circumstances. Through history, humanity lived in scarcity. We fought for limited resources because our survival depended on denying them to others. Confrontation and competition – between ideas, ideologies and identities – became the norm."
"Unfortunately, we remained trapped in the same zero-sum mindset today. We see it when countries fight over territory or resources. We see it when supplies of essential good are weaponized. We see it when vaccines are hoarded by a few."
Modi Calls for a Change of Mindset and Advocates 'One-ness'
"Some might argue that confrontation and greed are just human nature. I disagree. If humans were inherently selfish, what would explain the lasting appeal of so many spiritual traditions that advocate the fundamental one-ness of us all?"
India's G20 presidency will work to promote this universal sense of one-ness, hence our theme "One Earth, One Family, One Future". This is not just a slogan. It takes into account recent changes in human circumstances which we have failed to appreciate."
"Today, we have the means to produce enough to meet the basic needs of all people in the world. Today, we do not need to fight for our survival. Our era need not be one of war; indeed, it must not be one." How true!
"Today, the greatest challenges we face—climate change, terrorism and pandemics – can be solved not by fighting each other but only by acting together," Modi emphasized. "Fortunately, today's technology also gives us the means to address problems on a humanity-wide scale. The massive virtual worlds we inhabit today demonstrate the scalability of digital technologies.
"Housing one-sixth of humanity, and with its immense diversity of languages, religions, customs and beliefs, India is a microcosm of the world. With its traditions of collective decision-making, India contributes to the foundational DNA of democracy. India's national consensus is forged…by blending millions of free voices into one melody…"
Technology Gives the Means to Address Problems on a Humanity-Wide Scale
"Today, India is the fastest-growing large economy. Our citizen-centric governance model takes care of even our most marginalized citizens while nurturing the creative genius of our talented youth.
"We have tried to make national development not an exercise in top-down governance but rather a citizen-led people's movement. We have leveraged technology to create digital public goods that are open, inclusive and interoperable. These have delivered revolutionary progress in fields as varied as social protection, financial inclusion and electronic payments."
"For all these reasons, India's experiences can provide insights for possible global solutions. During our G20 presidency, we shall present India's experiences for others, particularly the developing world. Our G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners but also our fellow travelers in the global south, whose voice often goes unheard. Our priorities will focus on healing our "One earth, creating harmony within our "One Family" and giving hope for our "One Future".
"For healing our planet, we will encourage sustainable and environment-friendly lifestyles, based on India's tradition of trusteeship towards nature."
"For promoting harmony within the human family, we will seek to depoliticize the global supply of food, fertilizers and medical products so geopolitical tensions do not lead to humanitarian crises. As in our own families, those whose needs are the greatest must always be our first concern. For imbuing hope in our future generations, we will encourage an honest conversation among the most powerful countries on mitigating risks posed by weapons of mass destruction and enhancing global security."
"India's G20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive. Let us join together to make India's G20 presidency a presidency of healing, harmony and hope. Let us work together to shape a new paradigm of human-centric globalization," Modi was sounding like Xi.
C0NCLUSION
These sincere utterances of a wise elderly statesman from India should not be brushed off as a speech made up of a string of slogans, foretelling the 'agenda' of India's presidency in G20.
Modi's wisdom, with as much sincerity and objectivity as Xi's, is inspiring. One difference, though, is that China is way ahead of India in showcasing the workability of this eastern philosophy as China is already assisting its neighbors such as Laos, for example, in alleviating poverty.
It is too bad that China's hawkish critics are blinded by their own ignorance, obstinance and arrogance.
Fortunately, there is reason to believe that two wise Asian leaders are reaching a consensus. For sure, there will be more like-minded people, and China's sceptics will find Xi's appeal for international cooperation truly convincing.
The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:
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