Remembering Rajiv Gandhi

Rajiv Gandhi is known as one of the most visionary leaders of post-independence India. His insights and initiatives into liberalization of Indian economy; technological advancement and most importantly bringing the super computer to India against all odds; made him a futuristic leader of his times.  

Rajiv Gandhi unlike his mother or grandfather is known to be more of a technocrat. His personality and leadership brought in a high level of dynamism in India’s foreign relations. Though, some critics do believe that his inexperience made him falter at times. Rajiv Gandhi is known to have left his own personal mark on India’s foreign policy. He was known to be a humble and polite leader as well as an extremely ambitious and dynamic  Prime Minister at the same time.His timely leadership and initiative has led India to become one of the leading markets in telecommunication & Information technology today. 

He not only created a separate identity for himself but he was also successful in taking forward Indira Gandhi and Nehru’s initiatives as well.  He gave a new motto to the Non-Alignment Movement that of- Nuclear disarmament.  India went through a lot of changes under Rajiv Gandhi’s leadership. He was a great believer of peace and this belief propelled him to propose the idea of disarmament.  

During his tenure as the Prime Minister, India also took up the cause of fighting against apartheid in South Africa. India’s role is considered instrumental in establishing the South Africa Fund under the cause of Non-Alignment Movement and thus provided support for many South African countries in their struggle for independence through this fund.

Rajiv Gandhi’s farsighted initiative also resulted into formation of G15 countries for promotion of the non-alignment movement further enhancing & encouraging South-South cooperation and facilitating a collective dialogue of the South countries with the industrialized nation-states.

His visit to the US in 1985 and his initiative of importing super computer to India did not enjoy equal and opposite response from the US. In spite of Rajiv Gandhi’s inclination of liberalization, privatization and to open-market economy India did not get too close to the US. The US was more inclined towards favoring India’s then arch rival, Pakistan. USA supported Pakistan in encouraging the mujahedeen against the communist government in Afghanistan and as a result against USSR. This brought a sour taste to the Indo-US relations.

Although, on the other hand the Indo-Soviet relations were on an all time high. It was seen that Gorbachev and Rajiv Gandhi got along really well. They both supported each other in the issue of disarmament and in 1986 both simultaneously advocated the virtue of non-violence in the world through a programme called the “Delhi declaration” and paved the way for disarmament.  This further enhanced Indo-Soviet relations.   

Moreover, Rajiv Gandhi is known to have modernized the Indian armed forces. India developed missiles like Prithvi, Trishul, Agni, etc. during his leadership. The defense spending was one fifth of the total government expenditure. He helped India enhance her image and stature in world politics. India’s standing in the world had improved a great deal the only unresolved issue was that of SriLanka for which he lost his life.