….Moments Of Truth ”
At this critical juncture, does not India’s alienation in the world, especially in and around the neighbouring nations-Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan Bhutan, Myanmar and Maldives ring alarming bells? If yes, then why is it so ? Are “We the people of India…..,” not living in either the fool’s paradise or the World of Utopias? Has our country’s foreign policy as well as diplomacy fine-tuned to make India a force to reckon within the globe during the past over one decade is at present the moot question?
A bird’s eye view of a couple of months developments on the world scene bears testimony to the fact that nothing has been well so far as plight of India’s relations with various nations particularly three big veto powers United States of America, China and Russia is concerned. Following terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April,22 resulting in killing of 26 innocent tourists and two locals, the nation’s polity instead of addressing and eradicating the menace of trans border terrorism resorted to sheer mere eye-wash, cover up, optics of adventurism in form of too much of drum beaten Operation Sindoor then abrupt ceasefire in wake of tall countless times claims made by US President Trump to mediate the same has landed PM Modi in a very precarious and awkward situation and state of mind. Tight-lipped so far over Trump’s repeated claims Modi had to prompt Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to go in for a sort of cobbled stop gap arrangement measure of releasing statement to this effect to fill in the blanks in media.
Now a close look at the India’s relations with various nations reflects really a fall from grace painting a very grim and dismal picture in light of the polity’s concerted efforts leaving no stone unturned to improve the spectrum but it turning out to be very opaque and misty tale of Much Ado About Nothing after the April 22 Pahalgam Mayhem.
The four terrorists involved in Baisaran Valley assault are still at large after more than two months’ spell. No one till date has been held accountable for the multiple failures on Pahalgam front-be it either the intelligence or no deployment of even a single security person on the spot allowing the assailants ground free and open to strike their targets with impunity and go scot free.Then post Operation Sindoor,what was the fun and logic of sending seven delegations of MPs and erstwhile diplomats to thirty three nations to canvass resistance against Pakistan sponsored terrorism active off and on in India. Instead of serving the desired purpose the things unfortunately have of late gone berserk assuming worst ever proportions. The ground has obviously slipped under the feet of India and odds clearly going against it. Swayed too much by the complacent instincts, the polity erred in reading and judging Pakistan’s silent moves and acts ultimately three big veto powers USA,China and Russia dittoing the same throwing their weight behind Pakistan in a clandestine manner, all three having a soft corner for Pakistan overlooking India’s serious concerns on cross border terrorism outrightly.
Aforementioned scenario spurs “We the people of India….” to view and review India’s performance at various global platforms springing up many searching and researching questions. What purpose did PM Modi’s presence in 51st G-7 Summit (June 16 and 17) in Kananaskis Alberta in Canada serve in intensifying drive against the Pak Terrorism? On the contrary, US President Trump dining with Pak Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir complimenting Pakistan with gesture of “I love Pakistan” and UN Security Council too patting up Pakistan with two coveted offices of Chairman Taliban Sanctions Committee and Vice-Chairman Counter Terrorism Panel for the year 2025, though Pak sponsored terrorism took Pahalgam by surprise and IMF too offering cosy favours as well to Pakistan contrary to the expectations. Why did not then the Indian regime, delegations of our MPs- diplomats and other nations raise any hue and cry over decorating Pakistan with Vice-Chairman Counter Terrorism slot?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too had to face the music when in the two day (June 25 and 26) Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Conclave in China, the member nations ignored his raising of Cross Border Terrorism and Pahalgam Mayhem issue in the joint statement document of the conclave whereas Pakistan’s deep concerns on Baluchistan found a nod and mention in the document resulting in Rajnath Singh’s refusal to sign the document. Should not now the defence minister be haunted by this popular phrase, “As you sow so shall you reap”? Ironically, how much distressing indeed to find apostle of peace and non-violence Mahatma Gandhi’s India abstaining from voting pertaining to resolution of Iran-Israel ceasefire in the UN Security Council and then adopting a coward, silent and no stand on violence, dance of death and disaster in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war too. Then Rajnath Singh cannot absolve himself of the blame and moral responsibility of not taking suitable steps to thwart Pulwama Suicide Bomb Attack in February 2019 as then Union Home Minister in which more than 40 CRPF security men lost their precious lives. The mystery still shrouds even after more than five years how that suicide bomber could succeed in reaching the spot of mishap carrying large quantity of explosives in his vehicle unchecked and uninterrupted?
The ensuing 17th BRICS Summit slated for July 6 and 7 in Rio de Janeiro Brazil too does not seem to augur fine for India as Russian President Vladimir Putin will skip and Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to skip the same on some vexed issue pertaining to India.Better not to say anything about External Affairs Minister Jai Shankar Singh.
The polity must indeed bear in mind this universal an adage “Charity begins at home.” In to the 78th year of nation’s independence, should not India learn the art of how to defend its borders smartly, boldly and vigilantly to stand on its own feet becoming self-reliant? Why to trumpet Pak Terrorism every now and then at world forums, unduly giving it airs and pampering, has any nation cared or bothered about it in any way? But in this context, only and only disappointment the tangible outcome? Why then to rush madly to be a member of world forums blindly sans applying proper mind, but an effort should now onwards be made to join any group after appraising it objectively so that it stands by India through thick and thin. Now is the right and ripe time to introspect how much did India gain by being a part and parcel of G-20,G-7,SCO, BRICS,QUAD so on and so forth ! Quality not quantity be our watchword!
It is deplorable why should tax payers money be squandered away, human resources, time, energies of the nation be frittered away in futility, state exchequer be abused unduly for global platforms’ visits abroad with shocking, disgusting and depressing results?
For how long shall India be going in for Surgical Strikes, Balakot Air Strikes and Operation Sindoor like exercises to counter terrorism off and on at the altar of top most priority streams of natural justice, development, progress, prosperity, peace, welfare and advancement of the nation ? Shall we always be subjecting our valiant defence forces to exercises like air strikes mode to encounter trans-border terror strikes. Modi ought to understand and realise that there cannot be the same answer to often repeated questions. He must see to it that abrogation of article 370 and Section 35-A and elaborate security cover in Jammu and Kashmir could not nip the evil of insurgency in the bud so far because mortar shelling cannot be permanent answer to bullets. Self-defence too is the best offence.
Quite imperative to go in for taking into the account very objectively the story of international relations in the swiftly changing global scenario every moment with special reference to India.
First of all, in the present turbulent and torn asunder a world order, have we learnt any lessons from our past blunders or just pulling on with flip-flop foreign policy to suit vested domestic politics interests to reap just “hurrahs” and “Modi, Modi” on foreign soils?
Then secondly, “evil shadow of fear and cowardice” has been reigning supreme not at all allowing the polity and organs of the state to act fairly, freely to flourish in the larger good and best interests of the nation.
Thirdly, in the nation’s polity, no one has the grit, guts and courage to speak the truth to the “supremo” as there is no room for collective wisdom, expertise and consensus in more than a decade long scheme of things hence every move falls subservient to His Master’s Voice with the main motive of sustaining in power for pretty long. The lurking Sword of Damocles to lose plum positions infact blunts “the nation above everything spirit” turning bulk of functionaries and citizens into cowards. The personal and partisan interests outweigh and outsmart national’s progress, welfare, development and advancement missions.
Fourthly, optics, double speak, tokenism, self-denial gimmicks and unilateralism play havoc with the diplomatic skills and diligence for want of free hand and liberty to act fearlessly. In this context, William Shakespeare’s fantastic relevance and universality comes to the fore when the hero Julius Caesar in his famous play ‘Julius Caesar” dispels fears of his wife Calpurnia of her night marish forebodings in this manner
“Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.”
All in all, it is the dire need of the hour for India that is BHARAT to take timely, well thought of and planned decisions to cultivate afresh harmonious, peaceful and friendly relations especially with neighbouring ones and various other nations in all the four directions- north, east, west and south of this grand earth.
Shall we care to surge forward in this direction before it is too late, getting our acts together in harmony taking all along on to virtuous, amiable, peaceful, truthful, smooth, soothing and brave new world?
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Contributed by :Prof PK Sharma Freelance Journalist, Associate Professor of English (Retired),
Pom Anm Nest, BARNALA(Punjab)Mobile : 94170-02504 e-mail : [email protected]