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Interview with Shashi Tharoor on the inaugural Asian Forum on Global Governance

The inaugural Asian Forum on Global Governance will take place from October 16th through October 25th, 2011 in New Delhi, India. The topic is “Traditional & Non-Traditional Security Threats in Asia”. The forum will take a close look at Asian security and the challenges facing the global community. The Dean and Moderator of the Forum is Sashi Tharoor, former UN Undersecretary General, former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, a current member of Parliament and a prolific author.

Recently, Mr. Tharoor sat down for an interview with ZEIT-Stiftung. You can read an exclusive condensed excerpt of the interview below.

ZEIT-Stiftung: Why are you politically and socially active?

Shashi Tharoor: I’ve always sought to work for a more socially and politically cohesive world that tolerates difference and embraces pluralism and multiculturalism. India, in many ways, is the epitome of what we see around the world. All kinds of people make up India – people who could be divided by race, language, religion, colour, political orientations, ideologies and individual preferences, but who have made those differences a source of unity rather than division. India is today perhaps the most fascinating experiment in democracy and diversity ever witnessed and I’m privileged to be part of this experiment.

ZEIT-Stiftung: You are the Dean of the Asian Forum on Global Governance. What inspires you about meeting and discussing issues with the 46 international participants?

Shashi Tharoor: Interacting with the handpicked young leaders, who are already contributing so much to their respective fields, is certain to be stimulating and meaningful. The interactive structure of the Forum will allow us to exchange disparate ideas and perspectives about governance. I am excited by the prospects to steer and provoke thoughts and ideas within this group of young and bright ladies and gentlemen.

ZEIT-Stiftung: You have lived and worked many years in the U.S. In that time, what has changed of the U.S. position towards India and Asia?

Shashi Tharoor: The U.S. has long recognized that the phenomenon of rapid economic growth in Asia would shift the balance of economic bargaining power to the East, and require a new political accommodativeness on the part of the West. This is already happening. In particular, the adjustments and changes in U.S. policy towards India of late are indicative of a changed outlook.

ZEIT-Stiftung: Do you see a growing European interest in India?

Shashi Tharoor: Yes, but it is not a recent phenomenon. There is much we have in common, including political democracy, and very little that divides us. The European Union is India’s largest trade partner today, and negotiations over a FTA between the two are underway. Of course there are new challenges to the relationship; we disagree more loudly on matters related to trade rules, climate policy, space and nuclear sectors. However, this is only a manifestation of the fact that we talk to each other far more as friends.

ZEIT-Stiftung: For Germany, how important is the dialogue with Asia?

Shashi Tharoor: Amidst the current uncertain economic times, it is imperative that the ties between countries like Germany and India stay vibrant and evolve with the changing markets and needs of today. Germany is India’s biggest trade partner from the European Union, and given that India’s consumer base is growing rapidly, it is likely that Germany, and the rest of Europe, will stand to gain from increased dialogue on trade and sustained political contact.

ZEIT-Stiftung: And for India, how important is this dialogue with Europe?

Shashi Tharoor: Europe has much to offer India, and India should be ready and willing to take from Europe. I see a growing market for advanced European technologies in India. Germany has much to offer in terms of renewable/environmental technologies – as it has shifted away from consumption of conventional fuels to a large extent in the recent past. The real challenge for India will be to increasingly account for more of the European Union’s trade since the relationship at present is skewed.

Please click here for more information on the Asian Forum on Global Governance.