Comments on Mr Bajinder Sharma posting:"Mauritius: India’s Muse or Mate? https://www.facebook.com/baljinder.sharma/posts/10159476149177160?__cft__[0

Nice article that picks up the essentials while avoiding the intricacies of the threat to “the fragile balance of interacting specificities”, le noubanisme à la Mauricienne, which has perhaps more to do with the failure of the economic and political elite to deliver in terms of augmenting the national cake and a fairer redistribution which has led to the pauperisation of the middle and lower classes and a call for a re-examination of our Constitution , the political institutions and our model of development, among others.

Indeed, we have a lot to gain by deepening cooperation (CECPA, Belt and Road Initiative ) with the two competing powers, that are trying to extend their influence in the Indian Ocean, if we are able to limit our proximities to the economic and social spheres.

As highlighted by Uday Bhaskar of the Society for Policy Studies “Islands in the Indian Ocean Region have acquired distinctive strategic relevance and India will have to step up its appeal and comfort index, more so since it is pitted against China’s deep pockets." ….but India needs to project itself as a credible and long term partner in a more persuasive manner, than what has been the experience in recent years and it will have to ensure , that it does not exert-as many believe- a disproportionate and undeserved influence over shaping the national narrative of these countries.

On the amended DTAA , I will like to add that besides the fiscal loss inflicted upon the Indian State, it involved more of round-tripping of the black money of Indian politicians, businessmen, bureaucrats, movie stars, and gurus alike - an influential constituency that was lobbying for maintaining the DTAA (non-application of capital gains tax ) despite the hue and cry from the Indian public for a crackdown on endemic corruption and black money.

5Raj Ramlugun, Darren Poinen and 3 others

1 share

Like

Comment

Share