Here's hoping that he will be a mature US President

Never before has the whole world been so baffled with a US President-elect. So, Donald Trump will be the 45th US President. The rest of the world is busy anticipating the outcomes of his reign. Will he really be strict on immigrants or will he stand by his plank of temporarily banning Muslims from entering his country? And his brash attitude and aggression have been matters of concern for political leaders, experts and commoners. Yet he has usurped all calculations and beaten his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the race to the White House.

Yes, it's a Triumphant moment for the real-estate tycoon who also earned laurels as a TV host. His slogan, "Make America Great Again," has reaped him rich benefits. The rural Americans have voted for him, so have the unemployed youths. The slogan has worked big time for a man who has faced allegations of being a misogynist. But leave aside his chequered history with the fairer sex and his aversion towards immigrants, the fact remains that he will be taking over from Barrack Obama in January next year.

Now too many questions are being asked. If at all, Trump sticks to his pre-poll calls, then the world is in danger. If he decides to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan, Syria and other places, terrorism will get a boost. What would be his approach towards China and Russia? And how would he deal with China over the South China Sea conundrum? And from Indian's point of view, how would he deal with Pakistan and its bonhomie with China? And will he really be tough on the Haqqani network that has put Pakistan on a sticky wicket?

Well, Trump says in his victory speech, "It’s time. I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important to me...I want to tell the world community that while we will always put America’s interests first, we will deal fairly with everyone, with everyone — all people and all other nations. We will seek common ground, not hostility; partnership, not conflict."

Now, that's quite noble enough. He means unity and he means no harm to anybody yet if anybody tries to take America on, his policy is simple: Push US's enemy to the back foot.

There's a huge difference between pre-poll strategy and post-poll ones. Once you are on the hot seat, you are in charge and you have to shed all your inhibitions as a candidate. There are issues that need to be dealt with logically and the immature stance of building walls should be thrown into oblivion. It remains to be seen how Trump behaves once he reaches the White House. There is a sense of fear not just in USA but also in other parts of the world that a Trump Presidency can usher in an era of mayhem and pandemonium.

It's left to Trump to assuage such a notion and behave like a true statesman. He was courteous enough to acknowledge his rival Clinton's contributions to his nation in his victory speech. Well, for once he was decent enough. One prays he maintains such a dignity and doesn't come up with statements that don't quite deserve a mention from the President of the United States of America.

Fingers crossed!

SRK's Fan set to release in China

As a birthday gift to Shah Rukh Khan (November 2), Yash Raj Films (YRF) will release the King Khan starrer Fan in China this weekend. Avtar Panesar, Vice President International Operations, YRF said, “Shah Rukh Khan is adored in all over the world and of course, equally in China. With the release of Fan across China, we are delighted to offer his fans a chance to experience the movie in their language. In our ongoing endeavours to take Indian cinema to all corners of the world outside of India, we are confident that his growing audiences in China will embrace this film as here as well and continue to build a solid base for Indian cinema.”

The movie will be screened in major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu and Chongqing. The German fans of the actor are also in for a treat as well, since a German language DVD and Blu Ray of the film will also release across Germany this weekend.

The Great Chinese Hypocrisy and India

When Pakistan says that relations with India cannot see better days if the Jammu & Kashmir issue is not resolved, it means business. No matter, how many other avenues you look for to ease tension on a bilateral platform, unless and until, the main mess is not taken care of, your efforts go down the drains.

If that is the case, then China too cannot expect India not to raise key issues afflicting the relations between the two nations when the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits India. Let's face it! There are too many factors that define the current tension between the two nations and if overlooked, the friction will further escalate.

China's growing bonhomie with Pakistan that results in the former vetoing a UN initiated designation of JeM Chief Mullah Masood Azhar and blocking India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), only drives home the point that all's not well with India. And this is not the end of it: Chinese troops' incursion in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh certainly doesn't lend credence to the fact that Beijing is serious about not antagonising New Delhi.

But look at the great Chinese hypocrisy. As per an article in the Chinese government controlled Global Times, "India may want to avoid unnecessary entanglement with China over the South China Sea debate during Wang's visit if the country wishes to create a good atmosphere for economic cooperation, which would include reducing tariffs on made-in-India products exported to China amid the ongoing free trade talk known as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership."

Just because you are economically and militarily superior to India, it doesn't mean that you can expect New Delhi to dance to your whims and fancies. If China is sincere enough to offer an honest hand of friendship to India and the rest of the world, then it should abide by the verdict of the International Tribunal in Hague over China's historic control over the South China Sea.

But time and again, China is proving to assert its authority as against the might of USA. On one hand, it gets insecure about India's proximity to Washington, but on the other hand, it hardly takes steps strong enough not to provoke India to shy away from it. The 8th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) coming up in Goa in October could witness China being isolated over the way it has handled disputes of late.

The age of blackmailing is a thing of the past. By threatening India over trade and constantly brow beating (if we may use the term) countries dependent on it, China may not have read the writings on the wall. That day is not far when an anti-China block emerges and poses a serious challenge to the country on various global platforms. Even Islamabad won't hesitate to walk out on Beijing, given such a situation.

It may be a bit pre-mature, but if China continues to behave arrogantly, it might go the Iran or North Korea way. And we are talking about global isolation. USA isn't in its good books, neither is India. On South China Sea, there are south-east Asian countries that haven't taken Chinese dominance sportingly. And one reiterates, Pakistan isn't the friend to be trusted. So, it's time to have a re-assessment of your foreign policy, Beijing.  

So far as New Delhi is concerned, contentious issues should not be avoided. The Narendra Modi government must not give in to Chinese pressure even if that means, a heavy toll on economic relations with its neighbour. Serious matters like Chinese entry into PoK and the NSG imbroglio should be raised in meetings with the Chinese Foreign Minister before the BRICS summit.

Assert Modi and not play a diplomat literally. If possible, hold a bilateral parley with the Chinese President Xi Jinping when he is in India for the BRICS summit and put your point across. The days of timidity are over, it's time to stand up and take the 'enemy' head-on.