The Power of Usefulness

THE POWER OF USEFULNESS O n July 20, 1990, Hindustan Times carried a report from its Moscow correspondent, Mr. Bhavani Sen Gupta, titled “A New USSR is Emerging.” In it, while describing changes in the Soviet Union, he quoted a senior Russian expert on international affairs as saying: “The United States will not be the first love of the USSR. The first love will be united Europe. Then Japan, followed by the US and China.” I asked, surprised, “What about India?” The Russian replied calmly, “India is special. India is not our first, second, or third love. India is our love forever.” For forty years, our government told us that the Soviet Union was our greatest friend. But this reply shows that India has now been reduced to a mere formal relationship. The reason is simple. Earlier, Russia needed us; now it no longer does. During the Cold War, Russia used us to counter the United States. But with peace between Russia and America, that rivalry ended, and so did our importance. Today, Russia values only those countries that can help build its modern economy—and Europe and Japan can do that, not India. The secret of importance for any person or nation lies in becoming useful to others. Every other basis is hollow, collapsing with the first gust of wind.