Fons Stoelinga

private account of former Dutch Ambassador to India, now back in Europe

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

EUROPEAN PRESS ON INDIA

“A journalist of Norway ‘s daily “Dagsavisensent” presented Modi with the claim that India is 157 on a global democracy ranking. When a ranking is so contrary to common sense -why didn’t she ask those who created the ranking why they spread such nonsense?

[Erik Solheim @ErikSolheim]

Why is the West not curious on the great Indian 🇮🇳 civilization?

This week Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Norway. The government rolled out the red carpet. King Harald invited for lunch. All bigwigs of Norwegian business turned up. This is of course as it should be at such a historic visit.

Rather different was media. No curiosity, no real attempt to understand India. When the third most powerful man in the world visits Norway, you may expect some real interest? An attempt to understand the world’s third largest economy, a global green leader, one of the world’s brightest civilizations??

It’s not that Norway is overrun with visit at this level. Last Indian top visit was Indira Gandhi in 1983. Last Chinese president visit was 1996, last American president was 2009.

Here are some taste bits from Norwegian media:

* Aftenposten the largest newspaper printed a caricature of Modi as a snake charmer, many found it racist and derogatory. The accompanying article (written by an otherwise brilliant journalist) described Modi as a “slightly annoying man” and simply showcased that India is not high on the papers reading lists.

* Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), the state broadcaster, explained “why prime minister Støre is clearing his desk to receive Modi”. From everyone outside Norway I got exactly the opposite question: Why did Modi use his valuable time in such a small and insignificant place?

* Dagsavisen, a left of center daily, sent a young journalist to throw questions after Modi - claiming that India is 157 on a global democracy ranking. When a ranking is so contrary to common sense - why doesnt she ask those who created the ranking why they spread such nonsense?

I am not aware of one Norwegian journalist closely following India. NOT ONE! How can the public learn more?

Unless you believe democracy only fits a handful of small, homogenous, ultra rich western nations, India is the miracle of democracy. The large, complex, lingustically and religiously diverse nation with many poor people - which has etablished a vibrant democracy and is much less violent than Europe or America.

India can in fact make a claim to be the worlds most homegrown and impressive democracy.

We are entering the Asian century. Unless we Europeans become more curious - to civiliazation, history, politics and economy in the Global South - we will become the big losers of history.

[TIME @TIME]

"When a President describes sinking ships as 'fun,' when allies are blindsided and friends humiliated, when the reasons for war shift with the news cycle and the global economy buckles—the question is no longer whether the destruction is intended or careless. The question is whether anyone, anywhere, still believes that American power comes with a sense of responsibility attached," writes Bobby Ghosh https://t.co/1ciAIJcyu0

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

In Europa, en al helemaal in Nederland, zijn we teveel bezig met verdeling van groei en te weinig met creatie van groei.
Dat is een eindig proces.

[Tadek Solarz @TadekSolarz]

Een ochtend column

Ondernemend Nederland betaalt mee aan de eigen ondergang.

Er is een verschuiving gaande die zelden wordt benoemd. De overheid trekt arbeid weg uit productieve sectoren en concentreert die in een domein waar productiviteitsgroei structureel achterblijft. Volgens het CBS ligt de jaarlijkse arbeidsproductiviteitsgroei in de marktsector al jaren rond de 1 tot 2 procent, terwijl die bij de overheid en zorg vrijwel stagneert. Tegelijk groeide het aantal ambtenaren de afgelopen tien jaar met ruim 15 procent.

De beloning helpt mee. Een modale rijksambtenaar verdient al snel meer dan 60.000 euro per jaar inclusief werkgeverslasten, met bovengemiddelde pensioenopbouw en hoge baanzekerheid. In het MKB ligt het gemiddelde loon duizenden euro’s lager en zijn marges dun. De loonkosten per gewerkt uur in de publieke sector behoren inmiddels tot de hoogste van Europa.

Dan komt daar de nieuwe NAVO norm bij, zeg maar de Trumpnorm, die inzet op defensie-uitgaven van richting 3 procent van het bbp. Voor Nederland betekent dat grofweg 15 tot 20 miljard euro extra per jaar. Dat geld koopt materieel, maar vooral mensen. Defensie werft technici, IT’ers, logistiek personeel, koks. Precies de profielen waar ook het MKB om vecht.

Arbeid is geen abstractie. De kok die voor Defensie kiest, staat niet meer in een restaurant in Deventer. De technicus die een uniform aantrekt, installeert geen warmtepompen meer bij een ondernemer in Harlingen. In een economie met krapte, bijna 400.000 openstaande vacatures volgens het UWV, is elke overstap voelbaar.

Het wrange mechanisme is helder. Het bedrijfsleven financiert via belastingen een uitdijende overheid die met diezelfde middelen personeel aantrekt tegen voorwaarden waar ondernemers niet tegenop kunnen bieden. De belastingdruk stijgt, de loonkosten lopen op, de concurrentie om arbeid wordt heviger. Ondernemend Nederland betaalt zo mee aan de eigen ondergang.

Wie economische weerbaarheid serieus neemt, kijkt niet alleen naar tanks en begrotingsnormen, maar ook naar de vraag waar arbeid het meeste rendeert. Groei ontstaat in bedrijven die waarde toevoegen, exporteren en innoveren. Een economie kan veel dragen, maar geen systeem waarin productieve arbeid systematisch verschuift naar sectoren zonder productiviteitsgroei. Dat is geen ideologisch punt, het is rekenkunde.

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

Alleen Azië (en Argentinia) liggen boven het wereld-gemiddelde.

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

@VanparijsJ85661 Dank, Jo.
Ik heb het boek geschreven omdat -toen ik me voorbereidde op mijn ambassadeurs functie in Delhi- er in Nederland geen boek was over hoe India in elkaar zit.
Nog steeds staat India niet op onze geopolitieke radarschermen en staart Europa zich blind op de VS en Rusland

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

Het #geopolitieke landschap verandert razend snel. Wat weet u over #India?https://t.co/fbp89NsTpd

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

The #Dutch_minister made a huge mistake. #Weaponizing the trade in #chips. Opening the door for #China to do the same: with devastating consequences for #Europe.

[Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham]

Nexperia bombshell from NRC: suggests Dutch ministry *did* try to sway the court

"Karremans knew his controversial intervention... had little chance of success without judicial intervention. Therefore, he urged the court to impose additional measures"

https://t.co/Y38M2F8JRN

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

BREAKING यूरोप में युद्ध का पागलपन। क्या इसे तीन यूरोपीय नेताओं (मैक्रों, स्टारमर और मर्ज़) के रहते कंट्रोल में रखा जा सकता है, जिन्हें बहुत नापसंद किया जाता है, जो गंभीर आर्थिक समस्याओं से जूझ रहे हैं, और जिनके लिए एकमात्र बचाव रूस और NATO के बीच सीधी लड़ाई ही लगती है?

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

#Europe committing #economic_suicide. It lost #cheap_energy from #Russia, #cheap_defense from the #US and the US will push it to cut #cheap_consumer_goods from #China as well. With “leaders” like #Merz, #Macron, #Starmer, what do you expect?

[Megatron @Megatron_ron]

BREAKING:

🇩🇪 Germany with very low levels of natural gas ahead of the heating season - Spiegel

Germany's natural gas storage level is "very low" at the beginning of the heating season

The country's largest storage facility is almost empty.

[Alex Christoforou @AXChristoforou]

Meanwhile in Europe Kaja Kallas continues to amaze with here military analytical tactical strategy skills.
"Ukraine is a bargain..."
"Wars are lost by whoever runs out of money or soldiers first."

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

While China and the US invest in their economic hotspots and tech-infrastructure, the EU squandering the 650 billion ( which is part of a loan we lended from the markets) on countries with high deficits and debts.

[Kathleen Tyson @Kathleen_Tyson_]

Why would any Chinese company ever invest in Europe again?

Europe has 19th and 20th century industries missing out on 21st century technologies.

If Europe can’t find some diplomats who understand the urgency of mercantilist trade and investment diplomacy then Europe withers. https://t.co/sxX2teszrg

[Richard @ricwe123]

Here we have Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs,Vincent Karremans, trying to sell the story that it’s mere coincidence he seized control of Nexperia on the exact day the US hit China with export restrictions.
And of course, he had to "step in" under the noble guise of "national security"
What a pathetic excuse.....
😂😂😂😂

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

The Netherlands is actively contributing to the Economic Suicide of Europe by grabbing the control of Nexpiria from the Chinese
Look at the Declaration of he European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

20 years of US foreign policy captured in one photo......

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

Macron trying to drain the 3500 billion dollar debt swamp of France.

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

How do weak and incompetent leaders like this keep getting elected in Europe?

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

Regime change in Nepal

[Chay Bowes @BowesChay]

Disgusting Criminal.

[Olga Bazova @OlgaBazova]

Kaja Kallas is giving a speech on the Ukrainian conflict to an empty chamber of the European parliament.

[Fons Stoelinga @FonsStoelinga]

The debt clock of France!
https://t.co/ZBNN3KLozZ