Was 'Ninda' of USA by the Indian Parliament in the country’s national interests? How do we tackle Pakistan’s ‘auction’ of its national interests to the USA in order to injure and harm India’s national interests?

Some analysts state that the Iraq war is over- others disagree and state that war has just begun. Yet, a sort of stock taking has begun in many centres of power- at least to analyze the impact of post Saddam Iraq all over the globe.

We are concerned with the impact of the war on India or more precisely the impact of the policies that our government and our society evolved during the 40 days since American and allied forces marched into Iraq. Pakistan and China’s policy on the war are of an equal concern from India’s security and soverignity point of view.

Did India react to crises like the Iraq war in a mature and rational manner so as to negate the designs of our adversaries? Do our policies on the Iraq war safeguard our national interest or do they injure and harm them?

The Iraq crisis has provided the country’s intelligentsia with an opportunity to re asses and redefine our foreign policy. Needless to state that the foreign policy of any nation is a tool to further strengthen its domestic policies like internal law and order situation and internal security. Is it not true that what is happening now in Iraq and earlier in Afghanistan is but a reaction to what happened in America on 9/11?

Now how do Indians align what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan or what happened in New York on 9/11 with what happened in Mumbai on 12^th March 1993 or what happened in Coimbatore or what happened in Chattisinghpura, Kaluchak, Indian Parliament, Godhra, Raghunath Temple, Akshardham Temple to the Amarnath Yatris.

One 9/11 in America to hundreds of 9/11s in India.

Before our Parliament was attacked thousands of Hindus had been massacred in free India, lakhs have become refugees in the India of their dreams and after the Parliament attack this anti Hindu orgy continues unabated. But the same Indian Parliament condemns ‘American aggression’ against Iraq. This parliament has no solution for the safety and security of Hindus, has no solution for insurgencies and secessionist movements in many corners of India but spends scores of hours in an anti American diatribe.

Think what were to happen if terrorists attacked Capitol Hill, White house, burnt scores of Americans in trains, attacked Churches and Cathedrals and made Americans refugees in their own country

While countries like Turkey and Pakistan ‘auctioned’ their support to get the highest bidding from USA

(Turkey opted out at the last minute with just minimum support and non interference in Kurdish majority areas), China kept its criticism within limits so as to maintain its advantageous bargaining position with America. There were no anti American demonstrations in Beijing as the ones witnessed in Delhi and Kolkatta. (In fact Sonia Gandhi sent a circular to all Congress Committees throughout India to hold anti American rallies and they were held specially in Muslim dominated pockets.) Sdame Congress party along with others indulged in competitive ‘secularism’ to condemn ‘American aggression’ in a very strong manner by passing a resolution in the Lok Sabha.

Did it serve our national interests well or did we just allowed our vote hungry MPs to sacrifice our national interests at the altar of cheap vote bank politics?

Pakistan supported Americans at governmental level and (Secular) India opposed Americans at governmental level but the predominant Islamic society in Pakistan indulged in hate America exercise most viciously while predominantly Hindu society was subdued in its hate American diatribe except some demonstrations by ‘secular/negationist’ deIndianised class.

Now as Indians we have to be alarmed by the ‘auctioning ‘ of Pakistan’s friendship to America in the fight against terror. All patriotic Indians will keenly watch what price Pakistan demands and the final offer that President Bush gives to Musharraf. ‘Secular’ Indians have no concern about this ‘deal’ between Pakistan and USA. In fact they are for strengthening Musharraf vis-à-vis ‘communalists’ of Bharat.)

In the Clinton era and the initial years of Bush era it was emphasized that America and India are natural allies. But Pakistan and ‘secular class’ in India have seen to it that the possibility is diluted. In fact this aspect of Indo- US collaboration is the first casualty of the above mentioned ‘auction’ Post 9/11, American administration has got facilities in Pakistan to operate in Afghanistan. Musharraf is doling out a calibrated and opportunistic dose of anti Taliban and anti Al Qaida assistance to Bush administration whereby he is receiving a generous kitty in dollars and technological aid. Americans have got custody of some Al Qaida suspects but OBL remains the ultimate goal- and the goal of Musharraf is the return of Nixons pro Pakistan tilt minus Pressler amendment whereby Pakistan gets the total force multiplier in Missile/Nuclear weapons regime as well as superiority in air power. Musharrafs dream is that if Saddam has failed to become modern Salaudin, it is Musharraf who should fill the gap.

Indians have to respond appropriately. Blind Anti Americanism just gives bonus points to Musharraf. Those who voted in the Indian Parliament condemning American action in Iraq were prisoners of Islamic vote bank and had no concern for national interests, long term or short term. All that they want is a sure shot to Lok Sabha in 2004 General Elections.

Right from the Nehruvian era to the Gujral Prime Minister ship, Pakistan was firmly entrenched in Uncle Sams lap by default , due to senseless and cheap anti American rhetoric by theNehruvian brigade in India. India became economically backward but had to seek American assistance whenever exposed to internal or external threats (PL-480 for food supply shortages and seeking John F Kennedy’s intervention during 1962 Chinese aggression).

NAM (Non Aligned movement) has harmed India rather than helped it. A few years back, India’s attempt to get a non-permanent seat in Security Council failed with India just getting support from 10-12 countries and the entire Islamic block (including Iraq) opposing it’s candidature. Japan had offered to share the seat with India for a year each but I.K. Gujral refused the offer because of his confidence in NAM’s loyalty to Nehruvian India.

We have a lesson to learn from China. Oppose America wherever it hurts our national interest, but India should not unnecessarily needle the USA in so far as it’s moves in some countries. Our MPs have been talking about supremacy of the UN persistently but, what was UN's role during China’s aggression on India (When China was not even in the UN), during Pakistan’s aggression in 1948 and 1965. UN ignored the plight of India during the influx of over 10 million East Bengali refugees but became active only after India initiated the liberation process in East Bengal. Again during the Kargil aggression by Pakistan the UN was silent. Our vote hungry MPs have a lot to discuss about this selective role of the UN but America bashing is the priority. That these vote hungry MPs target their criticism keeping their Islamic vote bank in mind is highlighted by the silence of these MPs when America attacked Serbia in defense of Muslim Bosnia. That time bypassing of the UN was digested by our MPs with relish !

Not that a nation of a billion souls should kneel down before a super power. No- we should assert our rights- but if it requires that we keep mum on some issues, or express our views about morality and ethics in moderate tones keeping our long-term national issues in mind, there is nothing wrong about it. It should be pointed out that the Marxists of India who coerced Vajpayee to sing strident anti American tune have yet to criticize fraternal China for the 1962 aggression! They still accuse India of launching an attack on China in 1962. These opportunistic politicians have betrayed national interests be it Kargil, Kandhar, Kashmir militancy, Pokhran-II or attack on the Parliament.

Pakistan and China both have a strong tie up to strengthen their national frontiers. Pakistan has ‘auctioned’ 5000 sq kms of Indian Kashmir to China. ‘Secular’ India or ‘Nehruvian’ India has allowed that to pass by. Surprisingly ‘secular’ India has ‘auctioned’ waters of northern rivers and Farraka barrage to Islamic countries on our borders for an elusive peace. Pakistan and China have a ‘Monroe’ doctrine to destabilize the societies bordering their countries. Both have concluded that they require American benevolence to carry out the task- American dollars and American technologies. We just should not allow both these countries to use American technology and assistance against our sovereignty and integrity. We should pay them in their own coin. We need not ‘auction’ Our loyalty or national honour to an extent that Musharraf has done. But opposing USA in a blind manner will only allow Musharraf to succeed in his anti Indian game with a minimum cost and create more problems for us than we can handle.

A mature response and a bit of opportunism in so far as it affects Islamabad's evil designs on our land should not be condemned by any self respecting Indian.