Former Press Secretary to the President of India speaks on Brexit, Indian economy, China-PakistanEconomic Corridor (CPEC) and conundrum created around Kashmir
On 4th September, Wednesday, the High Commission of India in London along with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) UK organised a 'Fireside Chat' with Mr. Ashok Malik. The former Press Secretary to the President of India was interviewed by Manoj Ladwa, Founder & CEO of India Inc whilst delivering a talk about ‘Resurgent India: What it means for Indian Business & Diaspora in the UK’.
Mr. Malik is a distinguished fellow of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), an independent forum analysing the problems that plague India's socio-economic fabric. His visit to the UK comes at a poignant moment in British politics and in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Tensions have sparred between the diaspora communities settled here in the UK with recent attacks on the High Commission of India in London. On two occasions have these peaceful protests turned into violent mob lynchings and damage of public property. Many in the Indian diaspora, have echoed their concerns around safety from members of the Khalistani, Pakistani and Azad Kashmiri factions who heckled them during the Indian Independence day celebrations.
Right to peaceful protest but not to damage diplomatic property
“In any democracy people have the right to peaceful protest. So if the Pakistanis have a problem with Delhi's actions then they can organise demonstrations without causing harm to individuals but they don't have the right to damage diplomatic and private property.
“They don't have the right to use slogans and resort to actions that incite hatred against other communities many of whom are fellow British citizens of Indian descent. As a modern civilised city, the authorities in the UK have a duty and an obligation to enforce law and is of conern to the Indian Government,” said Malik.
Speaking about the concerns around Pakistan occupied parts of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, Malik also broached the subject of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. He highlighted the security, military and socio-political troubles in the region he said,
“Today, where the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor being constructed is of extreme concern to the Indian government. This is constructed with infrastructure that in parts of economic and military consequence. For London CPEC is ideal but for us in India, it is being constructed in a territory that legally belongs to us and can lead to potentially a hostile non-friendly presence of these countries in Indian territory.”
Speaking about the current Brexit limbo that British politics is stuck in, Malik said that this is the era of great gambles and said if Boris Johnson played the right cards then the UK may emerge as a victor unscathed out of the EU. But addressing the UK-India bilateral relations, he emphasised on India's growing economy especially in the manufacturing sectors of electronics, defence and IT which has made India an emerging economy despite the global slowdown.
