Any perceptive observer of the Delhi darbar would notice lately that the Indian foreign policy is careering away in a new direction. The captain is steering the ship according to a compass set circa 2005-2006 when the sea was calm, which although had proven to be faulty, happens to be what is readily available. Captains can be capricious human beings.
An escalation of tensions in India’s relations with China and Pakistan is on the cards. It is taking place under a weak leadership. The startling report that a dejected PM Manmohan Singh even contemplated the cancellation of his recent visit to Dhaka but Trinamul nonetheless persisted and called his bluff, tells the startling tale of a government in drift under a diffident leader.
The Bangladesh visit turned out to be a ’setback’ insofar as the ‘image makeover’ that was expected out of the visit didn’t happen. However, since then, a series of media reports have begun appearing in the nature of selective ‘leaks’. It began with alleged reports of Chinese military’s belligerence across the LAC, which played out for a full day in the media — before Gujrat CM Narendra Modi brushed aside all national issues and took over the headlines.
That was followed by the leak about the government’s resolve to take on China in the South China Sea. Now comes the statement by the PM (with reference to the Home Ministry’s ‘leak’ that around 2500 ‘fully-trained’ Kashmiri militants are ready to infiltrate LOC) that Pakistan has “reactivated” the “cross-border camps for terrorists.” This is serious stuff, since the PM virtually suggested that his conciliatory approach to Pakistan has failed. What follows next? Pakistan is bound to take note and a repartee can be expected during the weekend itself.
Even more sensational is the media report — based on a ‘leak’, again — which appeared today alongside PM’s statement — that National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon is uncharacteristically assertive in supporting the intelligence assessment that China is clandestinely extending help to the north-eastern insurgent groups.
And all this within the space of a week since PM returned from Dhaka. The dots are now getting connected — Pakistan and China are attempting to destabilise India. Yes, Sir, no doubt on that score. Once an adversary, always an adversary. But then, what follows next?
The question that logically follows is whether or not the national opinion shouldn’t be uniting behind the PM and the government at such a most critical juncture when national security is under grave threat from two of India’s adversaries simultaneously. Is this a time that the people and the opposition political parties should agitate against price rise or hike in fuel price or inflation and corruption in the government?
Is it the right moment for a patriotic leader like Narendra Modi to raise the political stakes for the government or, equally, for the staunchly nationalistic L.K.Advani to begin another ‘rath yatra’ that may divide the national opinion?
Think coolly — and patriotically. The South Asia spat shows that the government is not lacking in political will and courage to defend the national interests and honour. Nor is our leadership supine. The mild-mannered EAM S.M.Krishna has forcefully made that point from Hanoi by cocking a snook at Beijing right from under China’s nose.
The big question remaining now is whether the White House would change its mind and receive PM in Washington later this month when India seems all ready to do its part of a deal with Washington for the US’s regional strategies — ‘balance of power’ in Asia and the browbeating of Pakistan to surrender its ’strategic assets’ in Afghanistan. An accolade from Barack Obama would be just what the doctor prescribes for our government at this point to regain its lost look of purposiveness.
The Govt must get its strength in its own way to tackle the issues that the nation is facing. They have been given the mandate for this purpose. It is totally illogical to Expect people to silently accept high inflation, high prices and frequent fuel price increases. For long the Govt has let things drift. Now when people are finding it difficult to manage, there are people like this author who are making such nonsensical emotional statements. If the Govt feels incapable, it mus quit rather than cry in this fashion.
When our politicians of every hue have made furthering their self intersts their only aim in their lives, it is foolish to expect patriotism to suddenly spring up from thin air and take root in our hearts and minds. Congress primary aim is to make Rahul the PM, Mayawati’s Only aim is to become Dalit PM, Advani’s aim is o become P.M., and so on. Mr Bhadra Kumar why are you writing silly stuff asking Indians to be Patriotic all of a sudden. Have our politicians changed a wee bit in face of such GRAVE DANGERS facing the country?. Grow up Mr Bhadra Kumar and learn to call a spade a spade when it comes to describing our present lot of politicians and bureaucrats. The country is not at all safe in their hands given their GREED for power and PELF.
Whole world including many Indians knows this that china and Pakistan are in partnership and making vigorous plans to implement to destabilise and destroy India - But MMS and his Govt. is acting like as if they know only now and running like headless chickens. Very sad state for Indians for having such a foolish Govt..
We are with our nation.
But this PM is spineless and shameless and doesn’t inspire any indian.
This whole government will go to any extent and stoop to gutter level vote bank politics to appease minorities. And this PM will take centre stage and issue “fatwas” to police department who take action against terrorists (unless it is the colour that his madam hates). The top brass of this government go to the house of terrorists and declare them innocents.
The PM says minorities have first right on resources !! By what logic ? doesnt our constitution give equal right to everyone ? Why minorities have first right ?
Why did he say that police atrocities against minorities should stop and people from minority community should not be framed ? and just see the timing - when the bomb blast investigations are moving forward - in both mumbai and delhi HC and death tolls are rising. Is it a vieled warning to Police force and threatening them against taking any action against terrorists ?
It is the sam PM - who has signed a treaty with SWISS Banks that Indian Government will have no right to ask for any account details from them for A/c’s held prior to Mar 2011 - what a shame !! And unprecedented - is any more proof required as to whose interest this government is protecting and for whom it is working ? It is working for one family and not one country. No wonder MMS did not hesitate attacking sleeping children and women in midnight when they were asleep. He was protecting his masters black money.
Surely we have to be vary of Pak and China - But in my view it is MMS - RG - SG and their stooges whom the countrymen and patriotic Indians should be more wary of. they are bigger threats compared to China and Pak put together because they are the masterminds and supporters of perpetratos of terrorist activities.
I for one do not support this CRONY governmenr and fascist family. To be honest this govt has to go. sooner the better
Absolutely right! When the PM promises a mere 5-6% growth in GDP, his crorepathi Ministers have shown 200 to 300% increase in their “declared” Assets with in a matter of one or two years. One 20% Minister has amassed crores showing increase of more than 300%. With many more scams waiting to unraveled, our “honest” PM is going to beat all records and even put Imelda to shame.