New Delhi
Cheaper price points cannot determine India’s national interest, its security and its position in the world, says Mr Sachin Pilot, National General Secretary, Indian National Congress and a former minister.
Mr Pilot said it while addressing the 51st National Management Convention of All India Management Association (AIMA). He insisted that a cheaper phone is not the answer to India’s issues and pointed out that the US and EU have undertaken measures to counter China’s predatory pricing and dumping. He emphasized the need for a reduction in India’s dependence on monopoly of China on many of India’s critical supplies and having a plan B in case there is a war.
Speaking on India’s place and role in a multipolar world resulting from the US-China rivalry, Mr Pilot said that India has not managed to shape the new world order despite being the natural alternative for trade and security alignments. He said that India has not done enough to counter China’s effort to change the power paradigm through its influence in southeast and south Asia, eastern Europe and Africa. He highlighted the need to address the coming together of China and Russia and also the continuing Chinese incursions on Indian territory. Mr Pilot said that India needs to change the rules of the game before it is too late.
Mr Nikhil Sawhney, President, AIMA, pointed out that in the emerging multipolar world, India enjoys unequivocal support in the US. He said that geopolitics is always about national interests that are shaped by the domestic politics and citizen’s aspirations.
Mr Sunjay Kapur, Chairman, Sona Comstar, said that 3-4 years ago, India’s global companies did not even think about geopolitics, but now it is a big factor for them. He said that India’s auto component industry cannot ignore the fact that China has 20 million vehicle population. He said that India needs to look at that opportunity and not just be a China plus one country.
Speaking about management culture of Indian politics, Mr Pilot said that unlike in business, where the returns on effort are linked to talent and hardwork, in politics that alignment is not assured, as there are other forces at play that are beyond the individual’s control.
On succession in politics, Mr Pilot said that unlike in business, a generational shift is not as easy as transferring shares or outsourcing management. He said that in politics, the change can only be decided by the constituents, the voters, once every five years. Still, he said, those who persist come out on top eventually.
On technology’s impact on democracy, Mr Pilot said that the politicians have had to change the way they operate, the way they communicate and campaign. He said that with technology, there is less bureaucratic process in policy making and more connect between the policies and the people. He said that the politicians must be made more accountable to the voters and the election manifestos must be credible and not mere opportunistic announcements.
Jobs, Mr Pilot said, are the most important aspiration for the young voters. He said that the educated youth are not finding jobs commensurate with their qualifications and income expectations, and that is rather underwhelming for the person and for the country, as the young people are not living up to their potential. He said that it is unrealistic to expect a person to go from farm to AI, and stressed the need for promoting manufacturing and small enterprises to create jobs for the rural youth.
Mr Pilot expressed support for subsidies for farmers and the poor. He said that most of the farmers cannot survive on the market alone and need hand holding. He pointed out that the developed countries pay to their farmers, which India cannot do because of its financial constraints, but India can offer subsidies and exemption from income tax. He argued that what is freebie for one is the constitutional right for another. However, he emphasized, the subsidies , loan waivers and free electricity are not good for the economy if these are used only for getting votes.
On the functioning of the parliament, Mr Pilot said that the level of political discourse has dropped sharply since he first entered the parliament in 2004. He accused the media of staging and promoting slanging matches. He said that there is need to refrain from personal abuse while criticising the rivals.
The session was live streamed on AIMA’s social media channels.
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