The Metro Railway Diplomacy: A Path

The Metro Railway

Diplomacy:

A Path ahead of Mainstream Diplomacy

Ranjesh Kumar Station Controller Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation

Better diplomatic relation means better exchange of trades, talks and culture with that country. Better diplomatic relations also mean better understanding between countries on various issues like poverty, technology exchange, terrorism, security etc. To understand the gravity ofhaving a good diplomatic relation with countries, I would like to request you to just rewind few months back to August-2019, when India revoked Article 370 from Kashmir, most of the major countries around the world did not oppose India or built pressure on us despite continual attempt from Pakistan for the same. All of this happened smoothly because India had and has a very balanced diplomatic relation with almost every major country around the world.

Recently, 2019 global diplomacy Index was released by Lowy Institute, in which they ranked 61 countries around the world based on their diplomatic relations with other countries. China ranked first in this list with 276 embassies and consulates around the world and India ranks 12 th in this list with 123 embassies and consulates around the world. It need not be debated that our major competition is with China. India can always deepen its ties with countries and can improve its ranking by doing a unique kind of diplomacy, which I would call as The Metro Rail Diplomacy.

What is Metro Railway Diplomacy?

India currently has Metro Railway projects floating worth approximately 3 lakh crores across the country and new metro railways are being set up in almost every Metropolitan city across the country. India can share its technology, expertise and act as consultant to help other countries build their first Metro Railway Networks.

Importance of Diplomatic relations for countries Need of Metro Railway Diplomacy

The Equation of geo politics is dynamic and keeps on changing. We all have witnessed it in past few decades. Indian interest lies in having a good tie and having a vested interest in our neighboring country so that they don’t chose to be the part of another block. Countries like Myanmar, Maldives, Sri Lanka are now in heavy influence of China and can prove to be a serious threat for India, if they fall in the famous Chinese debt trap. To secure our interest, it is required that we assist them build infrastructures without letting them get trapped in Chinese debt trap. Hambantota Port is a life long lesson for India, that I think none ofus would want to forget.

How Line of Credits can be used as a part of The Metro Railway Diplomacy

India can always give loans to these countries in the form of line of credit to build the Metro lines for themselves. Generally, the terms of line of credit are much flexible than the normal loans, Line ofcredits are easy to pay and easy to access. For our readers, those who don’t understand what line of credit is. Line of credit is a kind of loan with easier repayment schedule and easy access of money. In simpler words, it is like a coupon, to buy things from India. For example, if they need to buy cements to build Viaducts, they can simply show the coupon to the Indian cement companies to buy cements without having to pay anything at the time of purchase. Of course, cement company can be in touch with the Indian government to receive their payment. Line of credits can be borrowed easily and can be withdrawn in installments and interest will be charged on only the amount withdrawn not on the overall granted amount. This makes Line of credits are suitable for borrower as they don’t have to pay hefty amount of money in the form of the interest of the amount that they have not even used yet. Line of credit is not a new concept, India has already issued Line of credits worth $28 billion to 63 countries around the world. So, we can always extend few more millions for the Metro Railway projects around the world.

Will it hurt our Economy?

Answer is No! In fact, it can help us grow faster in a way. Line of credits are project specific and If the condition of the Line of Credit says that borrower must buy required raw materials and other required accessory for that project from India only, then such type of Line of Credits is suitable for Indian economy. As our country is going through an economic crisis due to less demand in the market. We can use our line of credits to generate foreign demand ofour products. For example, if a country A has taken Line of Credit from us to build a Metro Railway Network in their country, they will have to buy rolling stock, construction related materials and all other required accessory from Indian companies which will eventually help our companies survive at the time of no demand scenario. Another, intangible benefit would be that companies will be able to keep its significant population employed. We all know that in Economy, there is always a ripple effect of every events and incidents, if there is a growth in a certain industry then all other related industries will grow simultaneously to help India to grow at bit a faster pace.