The harsh truth is that neighbors or for that matter anybody respects the powerful and assertive- read agressive. India should have played the role of a big brother after consolidating its gains after independence, made strategic relationships with Russia and China (not bhai bhai sloganeering or wishing others goodwill but by a planned giving-receiving startegy) and then brobeaten Bangladesh and other machhar Islamic countries into submission. We didn't do that; we remained in fear of Arab backlash; oil embargo; and exposed our serious weaknesses via internal riots, lack of administraion, scurity control, etc. We are really sitting ducks. Much like USA went for an easy kill of Iraq, China probably thinks that India is an easy pushover, a low hanging fruit to achieve quick small succes to look liek a power before taking on the ugly west. We Indians can't work together, focus on issues of national improtance, prepar'd to suffer weak leadership, particpitae politically, or take risks. Our Bhagat Singhs are too few. No wonder little nothings like Pakistan and Bangladesk stick their middle finger in India's face repeatedly and USA does not feel inclined for a real relationship. Which country will respect us if we can't handle our population growth,m security, poverty, education of 70% illetrate children etc. even after 60 years. Do we even have a plan? IT is a passing thing. Our successes are too few for a nation of our size and timeline since independence.
