We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: YE: INDIA
HEADLINE: Confrontation with China, Domestic Crises Test India
TEASER: Pandemic’s deadly second wave and a massive farmers protest challenge Modi, India’s strongest leader in decades
PUBLISHED AT: 12/23/2021: at 8:45am
BYLINE: Anjana Pasricha
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: NEW DELHI
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Steve Hirsch, wpm
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Reuters, AP, AFP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV __ RADIO __
TRT: 3:39
VID APPROVED BY: wpm
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO)) [[India confronted serious security and domestic challenges in 2021 as the country’s military standoff with China showed no signs of easing, a deadly second wave of the pandemic devastated the country and the biggest farmers’ protest in decades challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s authority. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi.]]
((NARRATOR))
The most serious confrontation between India and China in decades ended in February when they withdrew troops from a disputed border stretch in Ladakh.
((NARRATOR))
But the India-China border remains a dangerous flashpoint as talks to resolve differences at other contested points in the Himalayas have hit a stalemate.
((Harsh Pant, Observer Research Foundation)) ((Mandatory Skype))
“Both sides have reinforced their positions. In fact, China has been amassing troops, quite significantly, building semipermanent structures and making a show of force along that long boundary with India.”
((NARRATOR))
India, which had long focused on rival Pakistan, is now preparing to meet the security challenge from its much bigger neighbor. It is building roads and tunnels to move troops and weapons faster along the China border. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated
in two summit meetings this year with the United States, Japan and Australia to firm up a strategic alliance called the Quad meant to counter China.
((Harsh Pant, Observer Research Foundation)) ((Mandator ySkype))
“That’s a challenge that India has woken up in ways that are quite dramatic. That was happening even before the present crisis happened. Now India is responding in kind, not only ratcheting up its troops along the border, but also taking important decisions like formalizing Quad.”
((NARRATOR))
Domestic crises also challenged Modi. A deadly second wave of the coronavirus pandemic fueled by the Delta variant sickened or killed millions in the summer just months after Modi had virtually declared victory against the coronavirus. His government floundered to cope.
((Neerja Chowdhury, Political Analyst))
“And you had oxygen shortages, hospitals overwhelmed and this very tragic sight of bodies awash the River Ganges which people will take a long time to forget, so given that, yes, he did come in for criticism.”
((NARRATOR))
Thousands of farmers who camped on roads around New Delhi to lead a yearlong protest against market-friendly reforms won a huge victory when Modi scrapped the laws. It was a rare concession by a leader who has seldom tolerated a challenge to his authority during his seven-year rule.
((Dabinder Pal Singh, Farmer in Punjabi))
“We are so glad that Modi repealed the laws. We are going home very happy."
((NARRATOR))
The “sheen” on India’s strongest leader in decades has worn off say analysts specially as millions of poor people deal with the economic devastation caused by the pandemic.
((Neerja Chowdhury, Political Analyst))
“Apart from the COVID mishandling, certainly livelihoods, lack of jobs, economic distress, families pulling out their children from school because there is not the money, girls being married early, child marriage on the increase because parents can’t look after them … I think we have not felt yet the enormity of what has happened during 2021.”
((NARRATOR))
Coping with a more assertive China and addressing economic distress will continue to challenge India.
((Anjana Pasricha for VOA News, New Delhi))
NewsML Media TopicsHealth, Economy, Business and Finance
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 23, 2021 15:16 EST
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media
