Foreign policy influences
The need is to recognise, the significance of the interplay between foreign and economic policies. When these are not in harmony, there is a loss of opportunity to grow and strengthen the economy. Leaders must integrate the two. The cornerstone of this approach is the promotion of trade and investment for realising a peaceful world. The perpetuity of the need for engaged humanity is best served by its furtherance.
“The progress of diplomatic theory, has been from the narrow conception of exclusive tribal rights to the wider conception of inclusive common interests.”
History informs us that casus belli, of all wars and battles, since times immemorial, have been a vested economic interest. The pursuit of explorers and the expansionist designs of kings, emperors, rulers, had at the centre of their initiatives, a need to enrich themselves. The possibility of hitting an Eldorado remained a guiding principle – it continues to do so, even today.
Arguably, human society has evolved towards greater civility in the last 100 – 200 years, but the quest to own and capture economic assets has not diminished. The only difference is the format adopted and its related distinctive manifestation. The British invaded and ruled the sub-continent through its corporate entity “The East India Company”. Sir Thomas Roe did not come to the court of Emperor Jahangir, to merely deliver a message of goodwill of the Royal Court, or to buy spices, but had a bagful of economic and political agenda to initiate. Rest is history.
The current war theatres globally are representative of the new methodology adopted to pursue the old principle of depriving the local populace of its economic assets, for the enrichment of the aggressor. Governments are not free agents. International facts…… prevent them, often in the most unexpected ways
Less ethical US foreign policy requires new logic
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shakes hand with U.S. President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Evan Vucci/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing Rights
LONDON, Sept 18 (Reuters Breakingviews) – When Joe Biden took office he promised to put human rights at the “centre” of American foreign policy. But the U.S. president is now cosying up to countries such as Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and India which have, to a varying extent, chequered records when it comes to respecting the rights of their citizens. The change in policy requires a better explanation.
The main reason for the shift is clear. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions with China are now driving U.S. foreign policy, and ethical considerations have taken a back seat.
On a trip to Asia this month, Biden denied that he had sacrificed humane matters for strategic issues, saying he had raised questions about human rights with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese leaders. Even so, groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are concerned.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that “Beijing and Moscow are working together to make the world safe for autocracy”. Though he didn’t say the U.S. was sidelining human rights concerns, he added: “If we go it alone, or only with our democratic friends, we will come up short.”
This shift in emphasis was on display when Biden went to New Delhi earlier this month for the summit of the Group of 20 leading economies, where he lavished praise on Modi and shook hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The president then headed for Hanoi where Vietnam agreed to upgrade its relations with the U.S. to its highest level.
India is a democracy while Saudi Arabia and Vietnam are not. But the United States considers all to have poor records when judged against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Biden’s approach marks a contrast with his previous declaration that the key contest of the 21st century would be between democracies and autocracies. Before he was elected, he even promised to make Saudi Arabia a “pariah”. The U.S. president now seems to accept that autocrats come in two varieties: those who are a threat to the United States and its allies; and those who are not.
While it may make sense for the United States to choose the lesser evil, it is now unclear what role human rights play in American foreign policy. Biden would be wise to spell it out.
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