The “calm” amidst the storm
Following the publication of the latest Index of Failed States by Foreign Policy, India probably has the unique distinction of being the only “stable” country in the world that is “ringed” by failed states on all sides of its borders:
In the West, we have Pakistan (at # 12); In the north/northeast, we have Nepal (at #21); to the east, Bangladesh (at # 16) and to the south, Sri Lanka (at #25).
We may feel a little more relaxed about China (which is at #62) – or should we? (see link below to some articles re. China).
For the record, India is at 110 (the “lower” the ranking, the more stable is the country)
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Your blog makes for a great read. Thanks for providing me the link to lokmanch.com. I had almost stopped reading articles in Hindi since the local papers’ quality is awful.The articles are very well-written both in your blog and on the site.
I think that is a very interesting pattern (India ringed by failed states) you have highlighted. I happen to interact with people from our neighbouring countries at a professional and personal level. Time and again I find them asking themselves, ” Why are we not India ?”
Thanks Lekhika…
Amitabh: Indeed…and it would have been an interesting discussion why these countries are not India – except that being ringed by failed states makes our borders volatile and porous…and creates instability in our neighbourhood which – in the long term – can be immensely damaging.
So, in a way, the latest rankings – instead of making us feel satisfied – should make us feel very very worried…I am not sure that point came across in my post – so I am specifically mentioning it here.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.