Italy’s wise step
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai. During this meeting, they took a selfie together, which went viral. After this was posted, a decision was taken by Italy, which can be said to have automatically increased India’s importance at the global level.
In 2019, China had involved Italy in its ambitious ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI) project; however, after realising China’s mischiefs, Italy has withdrawn from this project in 2023. China is going to be hit badly by this diplomatic step taken by Italy.
It would also be useful to know the reason for Italy’s decision. Although Italy was a partner in this project, it has neither received any help from China, nor achieved anything as was mutually expected.
Merely associating with an ambitious project does not suffice; its benefits should also be equal. In reality, this has not happened. Italy’s trade has also not increased. China has poured billions of dollars into the project; but Italy did not gain anything.
Italy’s foreign investment in 2019 was $650 million; it had come down to $33 million by 2021. Realising that there is nothing to gain from the partnership, Italy decided to withdraw. It can be surmised that this was wisdom gained a bit too late. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also explained that the decision taken 4 years ago to participate in this project was painful and hasty. In short, Italy’s decision is a huge slap on the face for China !
Farsightedness of India
China had tried to create a positive environment around this project at all levels. Consequently, many countries were impressed with the idea and were literally trapped into participating.
Looking at China’s project, its nuances and intricacies, no one had any doubt that China was aiming to achieve its own financial goal. Through this project China wanted to develop road and rail connectivity with many countries. China aimed at involving Europe, and thus, expand its control.
This project is China’s strategy to have influence at the global level. India is certainly not dumb that it will not realise the Chinese plot; rather, India is fully aware of China’s secret plot.
The BRI project is being criticised by many countries since it is likely to create a mountain of debt for them. Small countries invested in this project with the aim that they will develop. China promised them help; but India had already warned those countries that it could well lead to a debt crisis. That is the foresightedness of India.
Of course, small countries have no choice but to depend on China. They will be forced to accept China’s designs. After Italy, Philippines has also announced its withdrawal from the project.
As the saying goes, ‘The wiser of the future is the wiser of the hindsight’, learning from this decision of Italy and Philippines, it would be wise for countries that do not want to be debt-ridden, to also withdraw in time from this project.
After the meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Italy, the decision of the latter in Italy’s interest is a positive sign for India’s future. Therefore, Indians along with citizens of Italy have welcomed this decision.
China and Italy relations
Even though the project looks beneficial superficially, it is important for China because it serves its selfish goals. It is laudable that Italy recognised it in time and quit the project. Other countries will also think whether to continue in this project, and hence, China will have to suffer its consequences.
Italy’s decision is expected to create a big gap in its relations with China. Although Italy participated in the Chinese project, Italy’s internal stance is anti-Chinese. Earlier, Italy had banned the 5G network of Huawei, which is a Chinese telecom establishment. Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi had halted technology transfer as well as the takeover of Italian companies by Chinese firms. Italy’s current Prime Minister, Meloni, has been tougher against China. She downplayed China’s influence on the Italian tyre maker Pirelli.
China is reaping huge benefits by investing on the strength of its dominance and a desire to have a favourable public image. It is repeatedly trying to improve its image at the global level and making repeated efforts to show that it is popular.
No matter how high one jumps, it does not prove supremacy. No matter how much you try to show that you are popular externally, the truth can not be hidden. Likewise, China’s deceitful intrigues will not survive for long. That we should stay miles away from China is obvious; but we will succeed only if our strategies are well thought out. The Government should give this a serious thought and take further steps.
| That we should stay miles away from China is obvious; but we will succeed only if our strategies are well thought out ! |