Let’s leave no nation untouched

That 68 of the 196 countries in the world — one-third — have never had the pleasure of the presence of Indian ministers is indeed worthy of concern. Some of this apparent neglect can be explained by the historical happen stances such as the splintering of the USSR into many independent entities.

But it cannot be denied that Indian dignitaries have indeed generally displayed a marked affinity for personally ascertaining the business and other prospects of nations such as US, UK, China, Singapore, Japan, Germany, France, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, etc, buoyed by first-class air connectivity. Even the Prime Minister has mostly stuck to the usual nations in his tally of 46.

However, less known — and, coincidentally, harder to reach — countries may present opportunities that India should not ignore. It might be difficult, for instance, to immediately assess the benefit of a minimum 15-hour flight to the Pacific island nation of Palau, via Hong Kong and Taipei. However, the minister allotted Palau as part of the NDA government’s commendable endeavour to reach out to all nations would be aware that Palau is a full-fledged member of the UN, with all its concomitant advantages, even if its business links with India remain rather modest. Besides, a 196/196 ministerial strike rate should put India in line for some world record.