“Bharat” a reliable, trustworthy global partner, dedicated to building a better, not a bitter world, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Deepak Vohra

By R Anil Kumar

New Delhi, December 7. Ambassador Dr. Deepak Vohra, special advisor to the Prime Minister of Lesotho, South Sudan and Guinea-Bissau and also special advisor to Ladakh, Autonomous Hill Development Councils, Leh and Kargil, has a conversation with R. Anil Kumar, India Strategic. The diplomat discussed the eras before, during, and after the period of Covid while playing with the BC and AD timeframes.

He talked about how our perspectives and beliefs significantly determine who we are as people, discussed the developed countries and what India needs to do to develop: work collectively and diligently to develop the country.

Bharat is racing to its destiny. It is unstoppable. Never before in human history did a country open two bank accounts in one second, or build one toilet in two seconds, or open two colleges every day, or build two metro systems every year or construct 8 airports every year or build 28 km of highway every day. America’s population is 340 million, Bharat has 340 million students, over half are our daughters. As a Bharati, I stand tall. Believe in yourselves, I tell them, we can do it. Ignore those jokers who prepare all those stupid indices, hunger, democracy, freedom, education etc.

Look at Bharat not through Western eyes, but through Bharati eyes. Having confidence is my message, keep the faith. We call her Bharat Ma. A mother reaches out to help her children in distress, as Bharat brought home her children from virus-impacted and from war-afflicted countries (we even helped nationals of other countries). In the crisis in the Red Sea region, the Indian navy plays a sterling role to ensure safe and secure shipping through a crucial waterway.

Bharat’s destiny is evident. In less than a generation (25 years) we shall be a developed nation, the pride of the brave new world that we see coming.

“Bharat’s Comprehensive National Power is not just of our diplomatic, military, economic and cultural prowess. It is based on global acceptance of Bharat as a reliable, trustworthy partner, dedicated to building a better, not a bitter world,” Ambassador Deepak Vohra, said.

“Bharat, is committed to openness and transparency. Our national motto is the eternal triumph of truth (Satyameva Jayate). Owing to our sincerity and trustworthiness, we are seen by most of the world as a Vishwamitra,” Dr. Vohra termed.

He also discussed the management requirements for new technology. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, a Sanskrit expression that translates to “The World Is One Family,” was the phrase he used to describe why India aids other nations whenever they require assistance.

Speaking on what role India can play in supporting Africa’s development priorities, and how can bilateral cooperation be enhanced to achieve mutual prosperity Amb. Deepak Vohra said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his ‘Africa is our priority’ policy speech at the Ugandan Parliament. Implementing its strategic vision, India has established several new embassies in Africa, while posting Defence Advisors at several more Indian Missions. When Bharat navigated the African Union’s entry into G-20 at the New Delhi September 2023 Summit, over a billion African hearts thanked us. “I have spent half of my diplomatic career in Africa and am an advisor to three Governments in that continent,” Ambassador Vohra says.

Over the last three decades, as China aggressively went about neo-colonizing Africa, I often heard Indian so-called experts and journalists compare India’s reticence with China’s no-holds-barred policy. They pointed out that China was building roads and ports and airports to take away Africa’s minerals.

The annual China-Africa Summits became jamborees with every African leader wanting his picture taken with Ping Pong and swearing eternal fealty to him. Why could India not do the same? Even some of our military fellows in peacekeeping operations in Africa asked me why India was being cautious.

Beginning 2022, with China blamed for the virus, Africa’s economy tanking, exports to China collapsing as its own economy wobbled, growing evidence of corrupt Chinese deals, we see a growing pushback against China’s predation. The validity of India’s caution and friendship-based not exploitation-oriented policies vis-a-vis Africa is universally acknowledged.

The involvement of rising powers like India, China, Brazil, Russia have given Africa an alternative to unfettered capitalism forced by the west, contributing to revival of Africa’s economic fortunes within a globalizing world economy and ending Africa’s economic marginalization. Africa’s development has been constrained by many factors but none more than conflict. More than 32 African countries have been involved in some kind of war since 1980. They look to Bharat’s guidance and support, and not just from our UN peacekeepers.

The emergence of India as a Super Power

India is currently developing significantly in all areas, and the young generation of Indians is having incredible success all over the world. India, the youngest nation in the world with a median age of 29 years, though has a long way to go, is progressing very quickly and will reach greater heights in the near future, Dr. Vohra says.

Indian youth desire to make a difference and take action. “When the going gets toughest, the Indians get going,” he said.

Citing an example of his favourite character in the Ramayana, the bear Jambovanta, he says when the Lord Hanuman was sitting despondent on a rock in Rameshwaram wondering how he could travel 40 kos (120 kilometres) to Lanka where he was informed that Sita Ma had been incarcerated, Jambovanta came to him. Hanuman, he said, recall your strength. Hanuman did so, and in one leap he flew across the ocean into Lanka. I tell my young friends and interlocutors that there is a Jambovanta in each one of us. Listen to him and recognize your strength.

Hypersonic Missile Capability-India among the Elite Nations-Ambassador Dr. Deepak Vohra

Hypersonic missiles are redefining the defence arena as they provide strategic advantages with the ability to strike targets faster than traditional missiles with impunity, facilitating pre-emptive and retaliatory strikes.

The successful test launch by India of a long-range hypersonic missile, places it in an elite club of nations, possessing such capability.

India’s hypersonic missile technology not only boosts its defence capabilities but also negates Pakistan’s nuclear sabre-rattling and China’s flexing of its hypersonic superiority.

This success is not only a triumph for the nation’s scientists and armed forces but also a beacon of its technological aspirations on the world stage.

Ambassador Dr. Deepak Vohra

Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Lesotho and Guinea-Bissau and to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils, Kargil and Leh

From the Indian Foreign Service class of 1973, Deepak Vohra was India’s senior-most Ambassador and has been described as one of the finest minds in the world.

Ambassador Deepak Vohra has served in France, Vietnam, Tunisia, United States, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Chad, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Spain and as Ambassador of India to Armenia, Georgia, Sudan, South Sudan, Poland and Lithuania

He was Officer on Special Duty to the Technology Adviser to the Prime Minister of India.

Dr. Vohra has vast international experience, having represented India at several conferences

National and international leaders who have interacted with him have uniformly commented on his transparent sincerity and integrity.

He is an advisor and mentor to universities and companies in India and lectures regularly to national and international audiences. His insights are much appreciated.

Ambassador Vohra speaks English, French, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Bahasa Melayu, Hausa, Motu and Armenian fluently.