Boldness Is a Mask for Fear, Uncertainty 
Francis Fukuyama, quoting Hobbes, says, people usually fight over necessities, but often enough they contend over trifles. That is to say, many quarrels arise over non-issues. They are expressions of petty self-assertion and puerile pride of leaders like Donald Trump. These want to take advantage of the anger arising from the injured pride of an ethnic group, or from inflated expectations of a party or a nation, as in the case of Narendra Modi. This inclination led John Dryden to believe, "Boldness is a mask for fear, however great." Bold postures seek to hide bashful timidities. This is true of boastfulness from the time of the Kurukshetra War and Greek contentions to our own days.

In a newly emerging international order, no rules hold. Russia invades Ukraine; the US intervenes in Venezuela and Iran, Israel bullies Gaza and bombards Lebanon, and together they attack Iran. Today, not propriety, but power display alone earns respect. The strategy seems to be: show off your strength before feebler nations or fragile communities, and bend low before sturdy stalwarts. When you miscalculate, you stumble. Trump seems to be learning a lesson. However, he looks like a slow learner.

But he, too, is picking up. He wanted the Kurds to turn against Iran. Kurd leaders grew anxious; they did not want to be targeted by Iran. He withdrew his suggestion.

A Bad Start Has a Bad End
The other day, Dattatreya Hosable of the RSS claimed that the RSS was not an Indian version of the Ku Klux Klan. In today's style of speaking, a denial is the assertion of a fact. It has become an acceptable mode. Indeed, the RSS does not resort to direct and overt violence like the Ku Klux Klan, but it plants division among communities that leads to communal clashes and the victimisation of the minorities. It motivates and trains Bajrang Dals, sets goals and strategies before them, and outsources violence to the vulnerable sections of society. Dalits/tribals who are ready to be beaten up or shot at are held as heroes. That explains the recklessness in the streets today.

Our leaders who connive at these horrors are equally guilty. They seem to follow the manner of functioning of the Islamic Republic of Iran: suppression at home, aggression at the borders. The only difference is that our leaders manifest deep deference to the mighty and stand in silent awe of intimidators. Rahul Gandhi speaks of Modi's "surrender" to America's disproportionate demands. Equally evident is our growing "dependence" on China's economic might.

Our leaders were nearly silent when Trump referred to India and China as "hell holes," while China protested in strong language. Even the Opposition in America slammed Trump for amplifying 'racist trash' on social media. Centuries ago, Dhammapada had warned, "Do not speak harshly to anybody; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful, blows for blows will touch thee." If not today, tomorrow!

In Shakespeare, we see Macbeth hesitating before Duncan's murder. He foresees the bloody consequences that might follow. "We still have judgement here; that we but teach blood instructions, which, being taught, return, to plague the inventor." Stability in international order comes with a rule-based relationship. Or else, power finds expression in hubris and sheer display, hastening towards nemesis, a ruinous end. Pride goes before a fall. A bad start has a bad end.

"Festival of Democracy", with Armed Forces Controlling
Modiji used to invite his international admirers to come to India during elections to witness for themselves "the festival of democracy". This time, the situation was more embarrassing. To begin with, the Election Commission would not recognise Aadhaar cards, ration cards, or even photo voter identity cards in West Bengal. Over 91 lakh voters found their names missing. "Logical discrepancy" was the only explanation given. This is unknown to election law. The grandson of an illustrious person like Nandalal Bose could not vote. Deletions in Bihar were reported to have been 64 lakhs, in Odisha, 9.8 lakhs. CAA came alive!

Rural illiterates were helpless. No one was giving them a hearing. Anger against SIR rose high. No wonder the turnout in West Bengal in the first phase was 93.2%, and in Tamil Nadu, 85.1%. It was partly in protest against the ruling party's domination, and partly against the Election Commission's one-sidedness.

Moreover, this time the "Festival of Democracy" was characterised by the heavy deployment of Central forces in Bengal in an unprecedented way, nearly 2.4 lakh personnel. This was evidently an abuse of State machinery—a form of undeclared Emergency. Over 700 companies of the Central forces were instructed to stay on in Bengal even after the polls. In Modi's India, Armed men are not at the borders, facing hostile forces, but in dissident states, reducing citizens to subjects. So, we see a loss of land at the Ladakh front, a struggle for power, and the throttling of opponents in Assam, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

A Story of Manipulations
Deletion of names is merely the first chapter. Games at the booths, changing of boxes, importing of hordes from elsewhere, lack of access for Opposition parties to the processes, and individual complaints are too many.

And finally, the tone changes after the votes are cast. Himanta Biswa Sarma promised free education up to university, jobs, bicycles for minors, houses for tea garden workers, free LPG for Durga Pooja, and low prices. Polls over, price rise begins, mocks Gaurav Gogoi. LPG price shoots up. Rahul calls it the "election bill." Surjewala worries about the arrival of a Double-Engine Government that runs on Deception and Oppression.

Modi team has shown that even the most unacceptable ideologies can be phrased in acceptable language. We are reminded of the "Ministry of Truth" in Orwell's "Animal Farm," whose task is to propagate untruth. The BJP-RSS Ministry of Truth moves from success to success.

"If voting changed anything, they would make voting illegal!" says Emma Goldman.

Objection to the Weak, Submission to the Mighty
We referred to the Islamic Republic of Iran, combining internal oppression with external aggression. But the Hindutva Republic of India combines suppression of minorities, tribals and Dalits within and of weaker nations in the neighbourhood, with loyal obedience to the wishes of mighty far and near. For example, the US decides when to ban and when to tolerate buying oil from Russia or Venezuela, or developing the port of Chabahar to gain access to Afghan markets.

As for India's growing economic "dependence" on China, it is a long tale. Here, we can only highlight some points. Congress led India to Independence in 1947; the party helped the nation to build up an independent image, without being excessively bound by alliances and allegiances. Nehru's India was a Vishwaguru for a period of time after Independence. Opening to global market did not mean for Congress "self-sale" to the economically powerful.

With the rise of the BJP proclaiming 'Atmanirbhar,' India's dependence on other nations turned into "subjection." America keeps India on the 'priority watch list.' Our dependence on China has sunk to irredeemable levels.

Absence of Creativity, Research, Investment in Education, and Health
Sushant Singh rejoices that India-China trade has reached $155.6 billion, but it records a $99.2 billion deficit. There is no saving feature. Options are limited. India's pharmaceutical industry depends heavily on Chinese pharmaceutical ingredients, the solar energy sector on Chinese cells and modules, the electric vehicles industry on Chinese battery technology and processed minerals! Meanwhile, our global manufacturing remains stagnant at 2.8%, compared to China's 30%.

In most cases, India remains no more than a final assembly point, even for iPhones. China leads in nuclear energy production and robotics. Chinese investors and technicians are invited back, after a long break. This is "a recipe for long-term decline," according to Sushant Singh.

The Italian activist, Chiara Lubich, used to speak of celebrating the "Day of Our Inter-dependence." It is a great idea. But opting for a healthy inter-dependence among nations differs from slavish surrender of a country to one-way dependence. Our Asian neighbours are beginning to realise that the Indian narrative of "Rising Power" is ill-founded.

Meanwhile, our leaders are busy with election manipulations, power-grabbing, throttling opponents, silencing criticism, boasting before flatterers, not with economic planning, long-term vision, investing in creativity, research, general education, specialised skills, or even on basic health and nutrition. We have become Vishwaguru in cow protection, diet control, meat ban near temples, history rewriting, and empty boasts. These things are piteously ridiculous like Trump wanting to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of Trump.

In the meantime, people's issues are clean forgotten.

The Poor Suffer
The poor suffer most. Workers are turning into real victims. Trade unions have weakened due to fragmentation and ideological division. Labour codes favour the employers. About 45% of workers in India are still in agriculture, but they earn only 14% of the national income. The excess labour force needs to be meaningfully employed in some sort of industry.

Inequality is noticeable in states like Telangana where caste rigidity is still strong. Each caste is further divided in a hierarchical order. The biggest inequality in India is in access to education, especially higher and specialised education.

According to '2026 Global Outlook,' over 318 million people in the world go to bed hungry. In '2025 Hunger Index,' India was placed at 102 among 123. That is where India is, despite BJP-RSS claims and pretensions. 

More on Advertisements than Performance
We spend more on advertisements of the BJP Government's achievements than on actual development. The Culture Ministry spent ?76 lakh on print advertisements for the RSS centenary (RTI). Meantime, Rupee has fallen to 95.34 per dollar; exporters make money; Adani has overtaken Bill Gates with $106 billion. Recently, he made $7 billion in a day. Mark Twain said rightly, "Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to."

How much of Rupee decline is due to the manipulation of exporters is worth studying. Aristophanes says, "Under every stone lurks a politician." Deception games are too many these days.

Our Fates Are in Our Own Hands 
Elections will come and go. Modi has his time, though we are not sure how long. If Viktor Orbán has been overthrown after 16 years, the Indian Prime Minister will reach the length of time allotted to him within a brief while. It is pointed out that, though Orbán is ousted, Orbán men remain in high positions: the judiciary is packed with them; the media is owned by Orbán cronies; the election map is gerrymandered. In any case, what happened to other stalwarts will happen to them as well. Everyone's days are counted. Modi men may remain a while more. We Indians take longer time to change our mind. History will assign him his due position.

But the future is for us to shape. UAE's exit from OPEC could bring crude prices down to $50, some people say, lowering inflation and stimulating growth. Khamenei is working for an America-free Gulf region. Regional collaboration among the Gulf states is possible if the Arab states are reconciled with Iran. America can remain on as a well-wisher. It is not impossible to think of Russia's reconciliation with the rest of Europe and a united continent. Only emotions must be channelled in the right direction, and cultural distances bridged. If Afghan and Nigerian immigrants can integrate with Europeans, more easily can Slav Russians. Give Trump a break for a Golf trip, and Europeans and Americans can shake hands together.

Stirring Enthusiasm in the Other
As for China, Indians are slow to forget hurts received. And yet, healing the memories of 1962 or 2020 is not impossible under new leadership. Bonds that strengthen each other can grow. India and China shared ideas and ideals for millennia. Ideas have legs, ideals have unction. They construct our joint destiny. As for Pakistan, they are our blood brothers/sisters.

What divides nations are the inflated egos of individuals and nations/communities and imagined grievances. Seneca tells you, "We suffer more often in imagination than in reality." Reorder your egos, educate your emotions, project a vision of togetherness, and miracles happen. We move from tariff wars to tales of collaboration, from Operation Epic Fury to Operation Shared Venture, from threats and warnings to stirring enthusiasm in the other.

Pope Leo XIV recently travelled over 11,000 miles in Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, spreading a message of peace, reconciliation, social justice and integral human development. The impossible is possible. He seems to affirm that our fates are in our own hands. God helps!