The year 2022 has ended and it is a matter of relief. For past many years end of year comes with the relief that it is over but unfortunately that is not happening. The recent developments in China shows that the pandemic may not be over as yet even though in India, it is almost normal now. Let’s look back at the year 2022.
Finance:
During the year, the Reserve Bank of India has added 65.11 tonnes of gold to its pile. This is the highest purchase in a single fiscal year, second only to the 200 tonnes of gold bought in FY10 from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It is seen as an attempt to diversify away from US dollar. RBI has launched Digital Rupee and as also started International trade in Rupee, starting with Russia and Sri Lanka.
While inflation in India is at modest 6%, the entire world has experienced inflation in double digit something the western economies have not seen for several decades. Rapid increase in repo rate by Central Banks did not prove very effective in controlling inflation but it may cause recession. We have to wait to see if it happens and its domino effect on the world. If Pandemic was the cause for the economic turmoil, Ukraine war acted as a booster to the problems.
Chinese and Indian Army is standing face to face in the foothills of Himalaya for last two years. China violated the no man’s land and moved forward till it was stopped by India Army. Clashes between the two armies which took place on 15 June 2020
Ladakh, Line of Actual Control, Aksai Chin, Sikkim, Ngari Prefecture, Shigatse are the places where both armies stand eye ball to eye ball. 14 rounds of talks have failed because China refuses to restore status que.
However except guarded statement that both countries should act with restraint, it was normal time for the world. Since USA’s favorite country, China was aggressive, it was all OK.
Special Operation in Ukraine:
As Russian troops carry out “special military operations” against Ukraine to “demilitarise” the country. The Ukrainian government is pleading with all major powers to intervene and stop the Russian advance. The European Union and USA has done precious little to extend actual help to Ukraine. They have imposed more financial sanctions against Russia but there were already there since 2014 when Crimea was annexed by Russia.
Ukraine’s position with India:
Did Ukraine vote against India in UNO on Kashmir issue and nuclear test issue in 1998? Did it vote against India’s membership in the Security Council? 3. Did it supply arms to Pakistan and supported Al Qaeda?
Without answering any of above questions or explanation, today the same Ukraine is seeking help from India.
Ambassdor of Ukraine in India making fervent appeal to Prime Minister of India to intervene in crises:
What Russia misses is some leftist media to invent right phrases like WMD or ‘Weapon of Mass destruction’ to justify it’s “Special Operations” in Ukraine.
There is a saying in Punjabi ‘My Dog is Tommy but your dog is just a dog’. This is the situation of the USA and NATO today. After toppling the governments all over the world and installing Dictators under euphemism of “King” in middle East and some other title in other places, it is crying over Ukraine and World Order as if it is a rule or law based order.
It is an unfair world in which one who weilds the stick weilds the power. Russia has recently acquired new sticks like hypersonic missiles like 3M22 Zircon Missile which is targeting USA as this moment and like proverbial pistol on the temple, it has immobilized USA and NATO.
According to Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid “the Russian attack on Ukraine is a violation of the world order and Israel condemns it. Israel is ready to give humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Israel knew many wars. War is not the way to solve conflicts.” He said in a statement issued on Thursday. Prime Minister of Israel did not denounce Russia but expressed hope that “Like everyone else, we pray for peace and calm in Ukraine, and still hope that dialogue will lead to a resolution,” PM Bennett also said that”these are difficult and tragic moments, and our hearts are with the civilians that, through no fault of their own, have been thrust into this situation. Israel will mobilize to extend humanitarian aid as needed.”
Will the World Order which acted as an empire of USA and NATO survive after Ukraine crises? There is very little hope that it will. And that is the reason for guarded posturing by all countries except NATO.
Sandeep Bhalla's Blog 