By: Robin Mitra
freebird@rocketmail.com
March 03, 2004

Comment on some reports that have appeared lately in the US, which reflect perceptions that could not have been more contrasting.

Earlier this week Gallup released its annual update on the American's image of countries around the world. Not surprisingly, the survey reported that Americans had overwhelmingly favorable opinions of those with whom they share a common language, if not accent: Australia, Great Britain and Canada. The French after enjoying immense goodwill for many years suffered heavy beating in the American minds for refusing to take part in the U.S.-led military action against Iraq.

Something of note in this report was the perception of India among the American hoi-polloi. This year's poll indicates that 61% of Americans have positive feelings about India. (In 2000 the figure was less than 50%)

Australia, Great Britain, and Canada are viewed favorably by 87% to 88% of Americans. Next comes Japan, with a 75% favorable rating, followed by Germany 69%, Mexico 68%, Brazil 66%, India 61%, Israel 59%, Russia 59%.

North Korea, has unfavorable ratings in the 80%-plus, Iran, the Palestinian Authority, and Iraq are viewed unfavorably by 70% to 80% of the American public. Cuba 67%, Saudi Arabia 66%, Afghanistan 65%, Pakistan 64%.

The first time this annual poll had caught my attention was in the mid to late nineties. At that time India did not even figure among countries that the American public needed to be asked its opinion on. In the year 2000 a little after India went nuclear, and when the opinion of America on India was first asked - less than half had responded favorably. But four years hence, the average American's disposition towards India not only weighs positively but also is slightly more favorable than say towards Israel and Russia. This is despite the constant wail from Lou Dobbs of CNN evening after evening, announcing another American job going to India as if another suicide bomber had exploded at Times Square.

Gallup`s survey is summarized at:
Image of France Begins to Recover in Americans’ Eyes

While Gallup was busy asking the man on the street what he thought about other countries, the US State department was occupied in a similar kind of assessment of its own. On Feb 25, Secretary Powell held a special briefing to announce the release of the 2003 Human Rights Reports.

In its survey of India the report says India is a "flawed" democracy with allegations of corruption influencing court decisions and violence during elections. It calls the leading party in the government coalition, the BJP, "a Hindu nationalist political party with links to Hindu extremist groups that were implicated in violent acts against Christians and Muslims."

The report is scathing and among India's shortcomings it finds - violence in some of the elections; allegations that corruption influenced court decisions; police atrocities; atrocities by both government forces and militants, including foreign militants, in Kashmir and elsewhere and restrictions on religious and academic freedom.

Sify Report: Indian democracy durable yet flawed: US report
Discussions: Is the US right in saying that the Indian democracy is flawed?
The State Department's report can be read at: 2003 Human Rights Reports

While the people and politicians were stating their "world-view", the pundits were not to be outdone. Just last year Cato Institute an influential think tank based out of Washington DC prepared a "Handbook for Congress" containing policy recommendations for the 108th (the present) Congress. Section 55 of this handbook deals with "Policy toward India and Pakistan."

In its policy advice, the Cato institute advocates that the US government should:

** focus on democratic India as a leading diplomatic and economic partner of the United States in South Asia and as a strategic counterbalance to China,

** reassess economic and military ties with Pakistan as part of a policy of U.S. "constructive disengagement" from that unstable military Dictatorship,

** reject plans to establish a long-term military presence in Pakistan

** treat India as a central player in the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism and the radical Islamic forces in South Asia,

** refrain from pressing India not to use its military force against terrorism emanating from Pakistan, and

** resist calls for an activist U.S. diplomatic role in mediating the dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

The report is published at Cato`s website in pdf format. The full chapter can be downloaded at: CATO Handbook for Congress 

The contrast could not have been stark when the State Department calls India a "flawed democracy", while Cato advises the congress to focus on a "democratic India". In relation to Pakistan Cato states that the US "refrain from pressing India not to use its military force against terrorism emanating from Pakistan". Yet America`s own kid-glove handling of Pakistan post 9/11 and post disclosure of rogue Pakistani scientist AQ Khan has drawn serious charges of hypocrisy - much less from India and far greater from the rest of the world. In an op-ed titled "Double standards in nuclear proliferation" published in the Hindu Businessline G. Parthasarthy, India`s erudite and conscientious former High Commissioner to Pakistan lays it out:

"American non-proliferation warriors like the Under-Secretary of State, Mr. John Bolton, and his predecessors in the Clinton Administration roar like lions when charging Libya, Iran and North Korea with violating non-proliferation norms, but become silent when the name of Gen Pervez Musharraf comes up and finally squeak like a mouse when dealing with China. Does not the phrase "double standards" aptly describe such behavior?

Being fair-minded people, most Americans themselves acknowledge this.
Double standards in nuclear proliferation (The Hindu)

Parthasarthy's last line could not have vouched for American public opinion more eloquently. In the melee of reading America's mind it could be stated unequivocally "the man on the street knows better". Looking at that table from Gallup - it is evident he is getting informed even better as each year passes.

Robin Mitra