ET View: Aim higher than the Commonwealth

In circa 2018, the Commonwealth is, at best, a geopolitical version of a bookreading club. At worst, a footnote of an artificially propped-up anachronism -- at least, for India. But there is no real harm in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, after nine years of absence by an Indian PM. It could, indeed, warm the cockles of the hearts of Downtown Abbey fans.

The rather pointlessness of India’s renewed interest in the Commonwealth, however, is not about history -- about the unsavoury optics of being a member of an ex-British Empire Colonies club. Vietnam and the US do wonderful business together despite having a rather prickly history. The Commonwealth is a digression for India because of the unsavoury optics of being part of a parochial club, especially at a time when it wants to be taken seriously as a world power. New Delhi’s presence at the table brings very little to its plate, economically or otherwise. Instead, India’s presence makes the Commonwealth seem almost relevant.

No one is arguing India gets up and leaves the room. That would be rude. But India needs to learn to cherrypick international platforms. China not being a member of the Commonwealth – thereby giving India some heft here -- is akin to pushing someone to join a kitty party simply because she hasn’t yet been able to become a Gymkhana member.

The historical advantage of ‘knowing’ other Commonwealth countries can be utilised by propping up what Big Boy economies do: bilaterals, and meaty multilaterals. Entrenching itself in the Commonwealth is hardly like BCCI once successfully planning to take over world cricket from ICC. Cricket generates great revenues and soft power. The Commonwealth does neither.