A build-up for the future

William H. Avery

Amaryllis
Edition: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-93-81506-07-3
Pages: 244
Price: Rs.595/-

Of late, many writers have delved into the strained Sino-Indian relations. The discourse has mostly dealt with the possible scenarios where the competition between the two developing nations boil over to a point that it leads to bitter and open rivalry. Some even went on to predict future wars, making onewonder if these prognostications of an India-China face-off were grounded in reality or it was a Western ploy to get the neighbours fighting and further their (Western nations’) own ends in the ensuing arms race.

At first sight, William H Avery’s book seems to pick up this oft repeated thread and the first few chapters seem to insinuate the same. However, with successive pages the book explores the various elements of the country and how these factors may come together in making India not only China’s rival but a strong international power

in the league of the United States and United Kingdom. Instead of the usual war warmongering, the book delves into the Indian demography, economy, outsourcing, education and innovation with research and development to give a vivid picture of the country’s development. A rather interesting analysis goes like this: “Two centuries ago, the United Kingdom used Indian cotton as raw material to run its textile mills and strengthen its industrial base. Today, the Unites States uses Indian IT services to run its software products and strengthen its technology base. The effect is the same: a colonial style enrichment of other nations, at India’s expense.” 

While talking of the “mind race” (or rather ‘mind the race’) and “arms race” it has documented that “in 2008, China-based scholars published over 112,000 articles in peer-reviewed journals, nearly three times the number India produced and second only to the United States”. For any country to take a lead, a flourishing indigenous technology and strong base of research and development is required. Although India has its own of share of research papers getting reviewed and being cited, the need of the hour is to pump in funds and support it with policies which attract the best brains from across the world. The lack of Indian share in sophisticated technologies is casting its shadow on the defence sector. Consequently, India ends up spending a major chunk of its financial resources on importing arms.

In a recent ranking of Asian Universities, eleven Chinese and Hong Kong universities made it to the top thirty. India’s top entry, IIT Kanpur, was ranked 36, that is, it’s nowhere in the top 10 or even top 20! Taking it further, there is scarcity of personnel in the armed forces and foreign services. This at a time when India is trying to assert itself as a power to reckon with on the world stage.

The book raises the frequently discussed point that India lacks a ‘strategic vision’ and this lacking becomes more conspicuous at this critical juncture where India is claiming her place in the world order and is actually rising in stature. The issues which are acting as a drag can vary from pure lack of vision to the failure of the opposition to come up with constructive criticism. In the absence of any solid political issue, the opposition sometimes tend to politicise issues which have direct or indirect impact on national security in the long run.

The book exhorts India to unshackle itself from its “soft state” image and take a more pro-active approach in handling issues. The author concludes that the Indo-American friendship will not only be a determining factor in the development of India as a nation but also in the political climate of the world at large in the years to come. Avery does not mince his words when he says, “When the history of this century is written, it can be the triumph of freedom, liberal values, pluralism and democracy; or it can be the return of the tyrants. The United States will fight for freedom again, but by itself it cannot be certain of prevailing. It needs India to join the fight, and join it with raw power enhanced by moral authority.”

The book has been written after a lot of research and analysis. The writer cites a US report prepared after the second world war which served as the fountain head of innovation and technology. This technical acumen enabled the United States to become a world leader in many fields. It goes like this: “Using a 1945 report commissioned by the administration of President Harry Truman (1884-1972), the United Sates developed a system of research funding that has helped it achieve and maintain its global leadership in innovation.”

With its fresh approach and interesting analyses, the book is quite a good read. It is refreshing to see a Western author finally talking of India “moving from back office to the front”.