The pivot state : India's pro US re-allignment a threat to Russia, China, BRICs

[Mr.Cyan]

Just read this on Sott earlier :
https://www.sott.net/article/317947-The-pivot-state-Indias-pro-US-realignment-a-threat-to-Russia-China-BRICS-SE-Asia

And I think the comments from Sott editors are spot on.

If a fearful India capitulates, the US then controls the linchpin to the BRICS, kissing good-bye a multipolar, geopolitical and economic stabilizing force, currently independent of Western hegemony. If this comes to fruition, it does not portend well on any level. Can't think of even one. It's that serious.

I also recall Pepe's op-ed :

The Empire of Chaos Strikes Back with a coup in Brazil, where he summed up:

https://www.sott.net/article/317198-Pepe-Escobar-The-Empire-of-Chaos-strikes-back-with-a-coup-in-Brazil

Beware the wrath of an Empire of Chaos scorned. That's what's in play now against the BRICS; Brazil under siege, the fall of South Africa, the weakness of India, China and Russia progressively surrounded. Hybrid War variations from Ukraine to Brazil, mounting pressure in Central Asia, the "Syraq" powder keg, all point to a concerted Full Spectrum Dominance offensive to break up the BRICS, the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership, and ultimately the New Silk Roads uniting Eurasia. Oil price wars, the ruble collapse, the refugee flood in the EU (caused by "erratic" Sultan Erdogan), 21st century Operation Gladio remixes all over, distract the masses against imaginary enemies while terrorism of the phony Daesh variety is manipulated as a sophisticated diversionist tactic.

It may be brilliant, even masterful, in its conception and in its execution, and it's so flashy in a cinematic sense. But make no mistake; there will be blowback.

This is indeed a crucial moment - if India fails and joins the Empire, then the unravelling of BRICs will definitely unravel the multipolar stabilising force - this will then leave Russia +China surrounded by the Empire. While militarily & economically the strategic partnership of Russia and China is more than a match for the Empire; globally its just more depressing news for humanity - like staring down the barrel of a gun. Hopefully as the C's mentioned, Earth Changes will intervene as the "blowback" before all this can happen.

Personally i think, India has too many vulnerable spots or "weaknesses" that the Empire can use to bring them inline. While expanding economically, there are still huge poverty issues in India and oligarchies in control of most of India's wealth and businesses. They pretty much run the show and state politics in India, and will sway to the "best deal" in town. Then there are the issues of salafi jihadism, terror attacks on Indian soil (of which India has suffered its fair share), and historical sectarian violence across known flash points (eg. Kashmir, Gujarat). All these can be easily exploited by the Empire to bring India inline, even though they have a long term friendship and great relations with Russia - hence the situation is not looking good.

Sigh! there is just so much energy and focus from the Empire channelled to ensuring more chaos, death, and tragedy to subjugate humanity. Can almost imagine some Lizzie or Orion STS figure sitting on a huge console, with all the buttons and screens etc - while orchestrating the coordinated STS attack on humanity.

Well...as depressing as it is.... I'm reminded of the scene from LOTR - the battle of Helms Deep, where they all have retreated into keep, and all seems lost:

THÉODEN
So much death. What can men do against
such reckless hate?

ARAGORN
[Pause] Ride out with me. Ride out and
meet them.

THÉODEN
[A light of determination shines in
his eyes] For death and glory.

ARAGORN
For Rohan. For your people.

GIMLI
The sun is rising.

[Aragorn looks up at a window to see
faint light streaming through. He recalls
Gandalf's words.]

GANDALF (V.O.)
Look to my coming at first light on
the fifth day. At dawn, look to the
east.

THÉODEN
Yes. Yes! The horn of Helm Hammerhand
shall sound in the deep one last time!


GIMLI
Yes! [Gimli runs up the steps to the
horn of Helm Hammerhand]

THÉODEN
Let this be the hour when we draw swords
together. Fell deeds awake. Now for
wrath! Now for ruin! And a red dawn!


[He mounts his horse and puts on his
helmet. The sound of the horn rumbles
through Helm's Deep as Gimli blows with
gusto.]

THÉODEN
FORTH EORLINGAS!!

[Théoden leads the charge out of the
keep into the Hornburg, slashing away
at the Uruk-hai as they go. Without
pause, they storm out of the gate and
down the Causeway, right into the column
of waiting Uruk-hai. In the midst of
battle, Aragorn looks east and sees
a white rider against the rising sun]


ARAGORN
Gandalf.

GANDALF
Théoden king stands alone.

ÉOMER
[Coming up from behind] Not alone. [He
raises a hand] Rohirrim!!

[Riders move up behind Éomer.]

THÉODEN
[Looking to the east] Éomer!

ÉOMER
To the king!

[The Rohirrim and the White Rider charge
down the slope. Half the Uruk-hai army
turns to face the challenge, bearing
their spears down towards the riders.
As the riders draw closer, the sun rises
behind them, momentarily blinding the
Uruk-hai who raise the hands (and spears)
to shield their eyes. The riders crash
right into the Uruk-hai and engage them
in battle.]

Had to quote the LOTR for some cheering up ...Just some thoughts on this topic fwiw...

 

[angelburst29]

This is indeed a crucial moment - if India fails and joins the Empire, then the unravelling of BRICs will definitely unravel the multipolar stabilising force - this will then leave Russia +China surrounded by the Empire. While militarily & economically the strategic partnership of Russia and China is more than a match for the Empire; globally its just more depressing news for humanity - like staring down the barrel of a gun. Hopefully as the C's mentioned, Earth Changes will intervene as the "blowback" before all this can happen.

Personally i think, India has too many vulnerable spots or "weaknesses" that the Empire can use to bring them inline. While expanding economically, there are still huge poverty issues in India and oligarchies in control of most of India's wealth and businesses. They pretty much run the show and state politics in India, and will sway to the "best deal" in town. Then there are the issues of salafi jihadism, terror attacks on Indian soil (of which India has suffered its fair share), and historical sectarian violence across known flash points (eg. Kashmir, Gujarat). All these can be easily exploited by the Empire to bring India inline, even though they have a long term friendship and great relations with Russia - hence the situation is not looking good.

India has an amazing - ancient history. The "Empire" has interfered on a number of occasions, including the British overlords, who tried to subject them to their dominating rule. As for the recent U.S. interference, politics may be part of the game but I sense, the overlords have their eyes drooling over "what they haven't been able to get their hands on - for Centuries" - the "treasures that have accumulated in the Indian Temples"!!! Below is a link to only one Sacred Temple - the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

http://www.infoplease.com/country/india.html

History. One of the earliest civilizations, the Indus Valley civilization flourished on the Indian subcontinent from c. 2600 B.C. to c. 2000 B.C. It is generally accepted that the Aryans entered India c. 1500 B.C. from the northwest, finding a land that was already home to an advanced civilization.

5 Battles That Changed Indian History Forever
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/5-battles-changed-indian-history-forever-12791

India’s history is characterized by a long list of battles as native and foreign powers sought to conquer and gain access to the wealth of the subcontinent.


About $22 Billion In Gold, Diamonds, Jewels Found In Indian Temple
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/07/06/137627235/some-22-billion-in-gold-diamonds-jewels-found-in-indian-temple

Back dated July 5, 2011- In Southern India a story that sounds like the plot line of a Hollywood adventure is unfolding. Over the past week, on orders from the country's Supreme Court, a panel has found a treasure estimated to be worth $22 billion in the underground vaults of a Hindu temple in Trivandrum, India.

The AP reports:



Inside the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, investigators were counting the staggering hoard of gold coins and statues of gods and goddesses studded with diamonds and other precious stones. Outside, small groups of armed policemen patrolled the temple grounds in the heart of the Kerala state capital, Trivandrum.

Metal detectors were hurriedly installed at temple entrances after six days of searches revealed a treasure trove of artifacts, statues and temple ornaments made of gold and embellished with jewels.

The valuables were donated to the temple by devotees over hundreds of years, and India's erstwhile royal family has been the custodian of the treasures.

The vaults had not been opened in about 150 years and the treasure spans some 500 years. India's Supreme Court ordered that the vaults of the temple be inventoried after a man filed a suit that worried about how the trust was caring for the riches.

In some ways, that's where the story gets interesting. With the find, India is in the middle of a heated discussion about what rights to afford former royalty and what should happen to riches like these that include historic pieces destined for museums. The Christian Science Monitor offers a condensed family history:

The temple is controlled by descendants of the royal family of Travancore, the former princely state of the region. It is believed the former rulers donated much of their wealth to the temple, where it lay in safe keeping for decades. Offerings by the many worshippers making pit stops there along the global trade routes probably also contributed to the treasure.



It was no stumbled-upon find, however. While the vaults have been kept under lock and key for around 150 years, the wealth has been on the public record.

Still, $22 billion (yes, billion with a "B") is a lot of money. We wondered why it wasn't put to use. The Hindu newspaper reports that the royal family ruled Travancore as "padmanabha dasasas," which means they were servants of the temple's deity. The BBC explains a bit better in between some legal history:



The Supreme Court stayed a ruling by the high court in Kerala, which ordered the state government to take over the temple and its assets from the royal trust. It also ordered the trust to hand over responsibility for the temple's security to the police.

The members of the Travancore royal family entrusted their wealth to the temple because they consider themselves to be servants of its presiding deity. The deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is considered by devotees to be an aspect of the Hindu God Vishnu in eternal sleep.

But there was a public outcry when the Maharajah attempted to retain control of the temple by citing a special law, with many arguing that the wealth belonged to the people now.

The panel appointed by the Supreme Court has opened five of the six vaults. The panel managed to open the sixth vault but found an iron wall inside it, reports the BBC. As if the story couldn't get any weirder, The Hindustan Times reports the sixth vault has a snake on the front door and quoting an unnamed royal family source, it reports that opening it "might be a bad omen."

The Guardian reports that the sixth vault has "special locks" but experts should be able to examine them and open it by Friday. The Guardian also reports that the inventory is being conducted under the watch of police, but no pictures or video of the vaults will be taken or released because it "is strictly prohibited" within a "sacred space."

Update at 9:30 a.m. ET, July 6: "India's Supreme Court Takes Steps To Protect $22 Billion Treasure."

Update at 2:43 p.m. ET. On The Value Of The Treasure:

As we said, $22 billion is an almost unimaginable number. But that is likely a conservative estimate. The Hindu reports that the panel is simple counting and weighing the valuables. "Their value, including antique value, is not being assessed," The Hindu reports.

 

[bjorb]

I never had much fate in India because they aren't hoarding gold as China and Russia are doing. This proves that they can't see where the wind is blowing.

This article certainly paints a bleak picture but it isn't over yet. The US over the years had tried repeatedly for India to fully open its naval bases for US warships for resupply and to use for a possible war with China. India so far has refused this every time.

Besides military they are closer with Russia. They have several joint programs running the US could only dream of + Russia is helping to build nuclear power stations for India they can't do without because of systematically power shortages.

Russia has the better hand here but I think there will come a time that every BRICK country have to make their alliance clear.

I think it has become obvious that only those who carry the hero-archetype have what it takes to stand against the forces of entropy.

Putin obvious is such a man. China is lacking, just like India and Brazil. Which leaves them very vulnerable. But Mandala's legacy of the ANC president Zuma of South Africa has been shown that he is very sharp man when dealing with the US and the West. Nelson Mandela was to old to carry on the International struggle but he repeatedly stated that US leadership is without empathy among other things which clearly pointed out the he recognized the state of the world and his enemies. Zuma is no different but I hope he has enough charm and smarts to keep South Africa together. The US repeatedly 'warned' (threatened) South Africa that terrorists are planning attacks on their soil and we all know what this truly means.

 

[Mr.Cyan]

India has an amazing - ancient history. The "Empire" has interfered on a number of occasions, including the British overlords, who tried to subject them to their dominating rule. As for the recent U.S. interference, politics may be part of the game but I sense, the overlords have their eyes drooling over "what they haven't been able to get their hands on - for Centuries" - the "treasures that have accumulated in the Indian Temples"!!! Below is a link to only one Sacred Temple - the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

http://www.infoplease.com/country/india.html

Thanks angelburst29 - the article reminded of another similarly "rich" temple in India that I had previously visited around 10 years ago :

Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala in Tirupathi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venkateswara_Temple,_Tirumala

Excerpts from Wikipedia:

The Temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga....

It is the richest temple in the world in terms of donations received and wealth.[3][4][5] The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30 to 40 million people annually on average), while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world.[6]....


The temple attracts approximately 75,000 pilgrims every day.[15] The annual budget, estimated at INR 2530.10 Crores for the financial year 2015-16,[16] runs charitable trusts whose funds are derived from the budget and donations from the devotees.[17] The popularity of the temple can be judged by its annual budget. The annual income is estimated at INR 10 billion in 2008. Most of its income is derived from the donations in SriVari Hundi. Devotees donate to the TTD, which runs into millions of rupees. TTD, the organisation running the welfare of the temple, runs various charitable trusts, whose funds are derived from the budget and donations from the devotees.[18]....

I recall during my visit the wealth in the temple was astounding. The inner courtyard where the main Deities are located was all plated in gold. While the donation counting area, was equally astounding. There was a room surrounded by glass (for transparency to the devotees) where all donations (money and jewelry) to the temple donation boxes where channeled to. Here there were 3-4 volunteers sitting down on carpets, and from the ceiling, through a chute - came pouring down countless notes of money and jewelry (mostly gold). There the volunteers were busy sorting them out, counting them and putting it away on behalf of the temple committee. There was just so much wealth there, and the flow of donations was just not stopping. And this was just a normal day at the temple. I think there is speculation as well that just like the Vatican, no one really knows exactly how much wealth there is in Tirupati.

 

[angelburst29]

The Temples are truly a timeless wonder. You relate some remarkable personal experiences, Mr. Cyan. I hope that you have documented your trips with photo's and diary entries - along the way? And Thanks for sharing your experience of their culture.
It seems, much of their donations are systematically, put back into the system - through Charities, which circulates the wealth where it's needed. (Now, who would ever think - a system like that - would work to provide social stability?) That simple truth would never enter into the minds of many Countries, including "our exceptional USA".

Speaking of the U.S., they may get their foot in the front door with India but I think, it might be a short visit?

Indian Air Force to Get Russian S-400 Triumf Missile System in 2017
http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160510/1039377247/india-russia-s400-triumf.html

According to Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, "The five firing units of the S-400 Long Range Surface to Air Missile system are planned for induction in Indian Air Force in the 13th plan period (2017-2022)."

The Indian Air Force plans to introduce Russian S-400 Triumf Missile System to its military arsenal next year. The cost of the deal has not been divulged by India but according to other sources, India is likely to pay approximately USD 6 billion for five S400 units.

Expressing enthusiasm over the performance of the S-400 Triumf Missile System, Parrikar said in Parliament today that the S-400 has better performance parameters compared to the S-300 in many respects, such as maximum and minimum target engagement range, minimum target engagement altitude, and maximum speed of target engaged. Parrikar also said that the S-400 is better in terms of the number of targets and maximum radar cross-section of targets engaged simultaneously as compared to the S-300. It also takes less deployment time as compared to the S-300.

India's Defense Acquisition Council approved the purchase of the S-400 Triumf Missile Systems along with associated equipment and missiles from Russia. According to the Defense Minister, a separate contract has been signed for the supply of five Full Mission Simulators for SU-30 MKI aircraft with a Russian firm during 2015-16.

Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd.) tells Sputnik:

"The S-400 has many qualities. It has a very high range. Our 40-year-old existing air defense system has a range of only 20-25 kilometers. With S-300 and S-400 [systems], we can target enemy aircraft from a range of 250 kilometers. If we are to protect big cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, this system will help us destroy enemy planes and missiles from quite a far range. Secondly, the S-400 is quite precise. The old system lacks precision. The S-400 has 95% precision hitting the target. The precision of our existing system is only about 80%."

The S-400 is the most advanced air defense system in the world and many countries are vying to purchase the units including China. However, Russia has made it clear to prospective buyers that it will only sell the system to foreign countries after its own military requirements are fulfilled.

 

[Mr.Cyan]

The Temples are truly a timeless wonder. You relate some remarkable personal experiences, Mr. Cyan. I hope that you have documented your trips with photo's and diary entries - along the way? And Thanks for sharing your experience of their culture.
It seems, much of their donations are systematically, put back into the system - through Charities, which circulates the wealth where it's needed. (Now, who would ever think - a system like that - would work to provide social stability?) That simple truth would never enter into the minds of many Countries, including "our exceptional USA".

Speaking of the U.S., they may get their foot in the front door with India but I think, it might be a short visit?

Indian Air Force to Get Russian S-400 Triumf Missile System in 2017
http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160510/1039377247/india-russia-s400-triumf.html

Thanks angelburst29 :) - I travel a bit for work, and personally, hence whenever I do - I normally document my visits with pictures, and short notes, but sometimes especially for work trips, its quite hectic, and its difficult to do so.

Yeah, for Tirupati, it seems that most of the funds go back to society through Charities and this is a good approach - however I really don't know if this is the case for the all the donations in Temples across India; as there are literally temples in every village or small towns in India all receiving donations of some sort.

About the S-400 topic - I think this is largely due to India's long term friendship with Russia, and also maybe hedging their bets as you definitely can't fully trust the Empire. India too has in the past made policy decisions in favor of the Empire, hence they're foreign policy seems to keep all options open, and they don't normally "openly" take sides, except maybe for the issue of Pakistan. I think the BRICS initiative is probably the first time where they took a firm multipolar stance, but even then I guess, we can see that they have weak spots, and the Empire still can arm twist them.

Further, I think Russia has only considered the first overseas countries for deployment/purchase (I may be wrong on this point) the S-400 for only India and China, hence this clearly shows how important the BRICS are, and India as the "pivot state" - for the S-400 will definitely seal off Indian Airspace from any attacks/tricks the Empire can conjure.

It seems to be evenly poised at this stage, and I hope the Empire's sojourn in India this time will be brief, but you just never know...

 

[Hesper]

SOTT Radio just covered this topic pretty in-depth, and it's a depressing picture for sure. I'm not sure that the US' sojourn in India will necessarily be brief due to this:

Underpinning the rhetoric is the so-called "Logistic Support Agreement" (LSA) the US and India are currently negotiating with each other. This is essentially a blend of the "Host Mission Support Agreements" that NATO has concluded with Finland and Sweden and the transit agreement that NATO has recently agreed with Serbia.

Reuters quotes US military officials as saying that the LSA "would allow the two militaries to use each other's land, air and naval bases for resupplies, repair and rest". What that means in practice is that the US has effectively acquired the right to deploy full-spectrum rotational forces anywhere throughout India on a preplanned case-by-case basis in order to "contain China".

Although not yet signed, Ashton Carter's major achievement was that the two sides agreed "in principle" to conclude negotiations for the LSA in the near future. It is believed that only the amount of financial compensation and other related technical details remain to be agreed before the deal enters into force presumably later this year.

The agreement doesn't sound like it will be signed in the near future, but with what India is pulling with allowing terrorists to use their country as a staging ground for forays into China, it is obvious that the BRICS are being significantly undermined, and that the US has some significant hooks in the country.

In all I'd probably have to agree with bjorn, that only those nations that portray the hero archetype have what it takes to withstand the unbelievably cunning forces arrayed against them.

And this all takes place in the context of the escalation of war against BRICS, and we're seeing the casualties now. It truly is 'The Empire Strikes Back'.

Behind the Headlines: The Empire Strikes Back: BRICS under attack with coup in Brazil

Democratically-elected Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has been suspended pending impeachment, replaced with a corrupt, right-wing, unpopular U.S. spy. Modi's India seems to be aligning more with the U.S. in confrontation with China. South Africa is suffering at the hands of U.S. intrigue. In short, it appears as if the U.S. Empire is launching a multi-front war on Russia and China by 'converting' its BRICS allies to the dark side.

This comes as the U.S. 'policy' in Syria is coming apart at the seams. Their 'friend and ally' Turkey has been exposed as arguably the biggest supporter of ISIS/Daesh in Syria. The U.S. is feebly trying to maintain that the terrorist groups it supports are 'moderates'. But unwilling to admit defeat, the U.S. seems keen on taking the world down with it in perhaps the biggest case of suicidal hubris the world has ever known.

 

[angelburst29]

India does seem to have a system of redistributing their wealth, in providing for the poor. Many of Modi's social and welfare activities remind me of some of the programs Qaddafi introduced in Libya?

India’s political activists supported Narendra Modi's initiative to provide poor families with free gas, comparing him to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, who is listened to and followed by the whole country.

Give it Up for Modi! Indian PM Wins Praise for Free Gas to the Poor
http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160516/1039688335/india-modi-campaign.html

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, a scheme which provides 50 million people with free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections using money saved from gas users voluntarily giving up their subsidies, was launched on Sunday at Dahod, a small city in the Indian state of Gujarat.

"He [Modi] appealed to the well-to-do people to give up LPG subsidy for the poor and the response was unprecedented. Perhaps never before did any PM get such a massive response," Amit Shah, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, said at the launch of the second phase of the scheme.

"On PM Modi's appeal, 10 million people have already given up their LPG subsidy, and it is not a small thing," he added.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh state, compared the Prime Minister to Mahatma Gandhi, saying "First, the world would keenly listen to everything Mahatma Gandhi said. Today, the world listens to Modi."

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was also kicked off on May 1 at Ballia city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The entire ‘Give-it-Up' campaign is estimated as Rs. 8,000 crore (US$ 1.2 billion) that will be needed for providing free LPG connections to families below poverty line.