Politics of Globalization

Yesterday, the 22nd of July 2008, saw an end to the 2-day long econo-political drama that folded, unfolded and refolded within the Indian Parliament. What was supposed to be a consensus building exercise in favor of the Indo-US nuclear deal turned into a battleground marked by a spree of allegations and counter-allegations, questions and counter-questions, attacks and counter-attacks.

But why am I discussing this here? Neither I aspire to have my blog listed in the long list of political blogging platfornms nor does the issue make sense to what I have intended to rant in my blog (read outsourcing) – or it does? Well – the following lines will have an answer.

While the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government survived the vote of confidence, it also paved the way for the controversial Indo-US nuclear deal to see the light of the day. The deal, which would give India an access to the global market for nuclear energy and technologies, must now be approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), following which the US congress will have its say.

However, what’s important and notable was not the UPA win - not the newly emerged political equation either. Rather, it’s the emergence of a new breed of econo-political voices that made its mark during these two days – something that motivated me to make it a subject of my post. If you guessed it right – yes – I am talking about the Rahul Gandhis, the Omar Abdullahs and the Sachin Pilots of Indian politics – people whom I call the true YOUNGISTANIs.

Do I sound like a staunch Congress man? Well, I can’t help it if I do – but the fact is that the Rahul Gandhis, the Omar Abdullahs, the Sachin Pilots, the Jyotiraditya Scindias, and the Milind Deoras, all voted in favor of the government (read Indo-US nuclear deal). What was most interesting was the way they were heard and reacted in the parliament house. It’s not every day that you see a political stalwart like Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav stand and argue in support of what a novice like Rahul Gandhi had to say.

The young leaders voting in favor of the proposed deal was a reflection of the acceptance and recognition of “Globalization” as a means to solve macro-economic challenges that India is facing – an issue which till now never got its due in parliamentary debates. In fact, Rahul Gandhi was quick to add that instead of waiting the world to impact India we should take steps that will ensure that India impacts the world. While he started his speech by saying that he wouldn’t speak as a member of a political party and would actually speak as an Indian, he concluded it by adding that the fear of unknown should not motivate us to back out of taking decisions that will ensure India a secured foothold in a globalized world.

While the entire event had its highs and lows, one thing came out pretty clear. The India of the future is more than willing to embrace “Globalization” as a means to fight poverty, illiteracy, corruption and other challenges that our nation has been a victim of. Its time CEOs of global organizations stop worrying about the political climate in India. While “political stability” traditionally gets sighted as a driver that motivates global organizations to invest in or offshore to a country, I personally believe that more than political stability, it’s the willingness to ensure organizational stability that will ensure organizations a secure and profitable foothold in any country.

Governments come and go – Values stay, forever.