George Washington’s Ideas Embraced by India

The Forgotten Blueprint

In 1796, George Washington wrote his Farewell Address. It wasn’t just goodbye. It was a manual for national success. America debates returning to these principles. India never left them.

Washington’s Core Ideas

Trade with everyone. Fight with no one:  Washington said extend commercial relations. Avoid political connections. Keep alliances temporary.

Stay neutral in foreign conflicts: Don’t get dragged into other nations’ wars. Europe’s problems aren’t America’s problems.

Focus on domestic development first: Build internal strength. Let other countries handle their own affairs.

Avoid permanent foreign entanglements: Temporary partnerships for emergencies only. Don’t become anyone’s satellite.

India’s Modern Application

Strategic Autonomy in Action

India trades with everyone. They buy Russian oil and American weapons. They work with China on BRICS but partner with America on defense. No permanent alliances. Just practical partnerships.

The Non-Alignment Legacy

India founded the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961. They refused to pick sides in the Cold War. This continues today.

They don’t join military blocs. They don’t take permanent positions. They evaluate each situation independently.

Economic Results

The numbers prove Washington’s approach delivers remarkable outcomes.

Income Equality: India ranks 4th globally with a Gini Index of 25.5. This beats China’s 35.7 and surpasses most developed nations.

Poverty Reduction: 269 million people lifted from poverty while maintaining income equality. This twin achievement contradicts assumptions that growth increases inequality.

Revenue Growth: GST collections growing at 9-17% annually while GDP grows 6-7%. This suggests either rapid economic formalization or GDP underreporting.

Tax Policy Innovation: Starting tomorrow, India cuts GST rates by 10-13% across all categories. Income tax exemption covers earnings up to 12 lacs rupees.

Global Tax Comparison:

• USA increases import tariffs to protect domestic industries
• UK raises income taxes to fund government spending
• India reduces taxes to stimulate economic growth
• This contrarian approach shows confidence in their economic model

The American Contrast

America gets pulled into conflicts worldwide. Ukraine commitments cost billions. Middle East involvement drains resources. Taiwan tensions create uncertainty.

India focuses on development. GDP grows 6-7% annually. Infrastructure projects expand nationwide. Technology sector advances rapidly. America debates foreign commitments endlessly. India makes profitable deals with all sides.

Why Washington’s Model Works

Economic Benefits

Trade generates wealth. Politics create problems. India separates the two. They sell to everyone. They don’t pick favorites. This maximizes opportunities.

Strategic Flexibility

No permanent enemies or friends. Just permanent interests. India can shift partnerships as situations change. America gets locked into outdated alliances.

Domestic Focus

Resources go to development, not foreign wars. Infrastructure improves. Citizens benefit.

Reduced Risk

Neutrality prevents getting dragged into conflicts. Less military spending. Lower geopolitical risk.

The Global Evidence

India’s approach attracts other nations. They see the benefits of strategic independence. Countries want partnerships with India because it doesn’t demand choosing sides. This creates more opportunities, not fewer.

Washington’s Warning Vindicated

Every problem Washington predicted has hit America.

Political Parties: Extreme polarization divides the nation.

Foreign Influence: Election interference and social media manipulation.

Permanent Alliances: NATO commitments drag America into conflicts.

Regional Division: Red states versus blue states.

India avoided these traps by following Washington’s blueprint.

The Implementation Difference

America struggles with how to apply Washington’s principles today. India never stopped applying them. They adapted the methods but kept the core ideas.

Washington’s Principle: Avoid permanent alliances. India’s Application: Strategic partnerships without binding commitments.

Washington’s Principle: Commercial relations with all. India’s Application: Trade with Russia, China, and America simultaneously.

Washington’s Principle: Focus on domestic development. India’s Application: Infrastructure, technology, and poverty reduction prioritized.

Lessons for America

India proves Washington’s ideas work in the modern world. The problem isn’t the principles. The problem is implementation.

America could return to strategic independence. Trade with everyone. Avoid taking sides in distant conflicts. Focus resources on domestic challenges. Infrastructure. Education. Innovation.

The Path Forward

Washington’s Farewell Address wasn’t just for 1796. It was timeless guidance.

India followed it and prospered. They achieved growth with equality. They maintained independence while engaging globally.

America wrote the manual. India implemented it. The results speak for themselves.

( Source: https://www.georgewashington.org/farewell-address.jsp)