How Nations Earn Respect
Because of power differentials, asymmetry is inherent in international negotiations. The parties are rarely equal in economic or military strength. Yet history shows that the stronger side does not necessarily prevail, whether on the battlefield or at the negotiating table. Outcomes between nations often depend less on material capabilities than on leadership, political will, national resilience, strategy and tactics.
In 1962, China, by launching a surprise war against an unprepared India, inflicted a humiliating defeat on an economically and militarily stronger adversary. More recently, the world’s most powerful military, the United States, has struggled to achieve decisive results against a much weaker Iran.
In 1999, China was no match for American power. Yet after the U.S. bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, which killed three Chinese nationals, Washington was compelled to pay $32.5 million in compensation for the damage and for those killed or wounded. The U.S. also issued repeated apologies for the bombing, with President Bill Clinton personally apologizing to help defuse the crisis.
In 1971, defying U.S. military pressure and nuclear blackmail, a relatively weak India helped Bangladesh secure independence in a swift 13-day military campaign that produced the largest number of prisoners of war (POWs) since the end of World War II. The operation succeeded despite President Nixon’s deployment of a nuclear-capable naval task force off the southern tip of India.
In 1998, an economically vulnerable India brushed aside U.S. sanctions threats and conducted a series of underground nuclear tests, declaring itself a nuclear-weapons state. The decision reflected a willingness to bear costs in pursuit of national objectives and ultimately became a defining moment in India's rise and strategic transformation.
In 2026, by contrast, an India widely regarded as a rising power but seemingly lacking comparable political resolve responded fecklessly to the killing of three unarmed Indian merchant mariners by the U.S. Navy, demanding neither an American apology nor compensation for the victims’ families.
These episodes differed in circumstance and scale, but they shared a common lesson: nations earn respect not merely through economic or military power, but through leadership, resolve and a willingness to defend their interests.
Respect is earned, not bestowed. Power alone does not command respect; leadership and resolve do. Without them, even a rising power may find itself unable to defend its interests, uphold its dignity or secure justice for its own citizens.
CNN calls death of Indian sailors as ‘Collateral Damage.’
The Bush administration used this term in Iraq.
Israel uses the same term for Palestinians in Gaza.
Brown or nonwhite people historically have been and will always continue to be ‘collateral damage,’ for the white man.
Zoho is the one Indian company that's actually willing to do something new. The way the Left ecosystem harassed and discouraged their products because of CEO Sridhar Vembu's political inclination makes me believe why Indian Companies are not ready to take risks.
America is targeting India economically, tariffs, capital outflow, sponsoring movements against Industrialists, nudge Apple to leave India. Become its dominant supplier of energy; drains India’s surpluses out. Delay & destroy its indigenous defence program. Target its remittances & ITES !
The List is endless as they have decided to make India example for China & Russia and break BRICS. Can we stand up & for how long ! Time will tell !
I see so many Indians showing deep concern over Indian tech sovereignty.
But when an Indian comes to you with a product thats BETTER than an import why do they still make life so hard?
They should embrace it instantly shouldn't they?
I have repeatedly built products right here in India that compete with the Germans and Americans but Indian firms dont even trial them.
This is tech reality.
China on the other hand has a MANDATE that Chinese companies must buy imports only if local alternates arent available.
It is our PM’s responsibility not only to express concern over the killing of Indians on ship by US forces in gulf but also to convey India’s position firmly and clearly. The loss of Indian lives cannot be taken lightly, regardless of whether the incident was deliberate or accidental. A transparent explanation, accountability must be sought. At the same time, PM should reach out to the bereaved families, express condolences be compassionate & assure that nation stands with them in their grief. Strong leadership demands both firmness in protecting national interests & compassion towards those who have suffered an irreparable loss
US Navy could have disabled the tanker in multiple ways. But they chose to fire two hellfire missiles straight into the engine room which had the Indian crew. Cold Blooded Murder. Now, they are also advertising it.
As US Navy is hunting down one vessel after another with Indian crew members, it is time to realise why people like me objected to GoI's lame reaction to US Navy's aggressive moves through our EEZ around Lakshadweep and sinking of Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena in Indian Ocean. Those who argued at that time that Indian Ocean in not Indian should be ashamed of themselves. You allow a robber to rob in your neighborhood, your house could be the next one.
5 करोड़ मुकदमे पेंडिंग हैं।
जनता अदालतों के चक्कर काट रही है।
लेकिन चीफ जस्टिस, कानून मंत्री और 150 VIP लोग लंदन में "बैडमिंटन आयोजन" के नाम पर करोड़ों फूंक रहे हैं।
जिस कार्यक्रम का आयोजन भारत में हो सकता था, उसके लिए विदेश दौरे की क्या जरूरत थी?
कल तक जनता को ज्ञान दिया जा रहा था विदेशी मुद्रा बचाओ, पेट्रोल कम खरीदो।
यानि त्याग सिर्फ जनता करे और VIP वर्ग टैक्सपेयर्स के पैसों पर विदेश यात्राएं करे?
फिर उम्मीद की जाती है कि जनता सरकार और न्यायपालिका की नज़दीकियों पर सवाल भी न पूछे।
देश देख रहा है।
देश सवाल पूछ रहा है।
Modi ji said that foreign trips should not be undertaken so that dollars can be saved.
On the other hand, a Union Minister is taking 75 judges and senior lawyers on a six-day trip to London.
The Chief Justice, who likened the youth to cockroaches, was also with them.
PM Modi appealed to the country to follow austerity measures & avoid foreign trips but here we have Law Ministry sponsoring a badminton tournament in London! With a huge contingent of judiciary members in attendance. Will Hon. PM pull up the Law Minister? https://t.co/E7b09NQ0YP