Superpower status a distant dream

As the 16th summit of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) kicks off in Tehran today, the world watches with keen eyes the position India will take in the global stage.

The NAM took birth due to the Cold War when a host of countries, then newly-independent or in dire poverty, decided they could not afford to offend either blocs. Though the NAM claimed moral high ground, it was primarily the desperation for aid from both the blocs that necessitated the movement.

The NAM had strength in numbers, but its role was inconsequential in international politics as all international bodies, including the United Nations, were structured to allow control by superpowers. The group of developing countries were reduced to fence-sitters and in course of time many drifted to either of the blocs and reduced their non-alignment to lip service.

India too could not escape this as the 1962 war with China made it realise that applause from its NAM friends do not translate into political and military power. Realpolitik considerations drove India into an all-weather friendship with Soviet Union and those bonds strengthened our position.

With the end of the Cold War and the emergence of a new world order, the relevance of NAM has come under question. Erstwhile Soviet satellite states are now Nato members and China has emerged as the uncrowned superpower.

However, Indian foreign policy continues to have one foot in the bygone era and is hindering our transition from a reg­i­onal player to a global power. From gas exploration deals in disputed waters off Vietnam to safeguarding our territory abutting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) — which Chinese patrols violate with impunity — we are being cowed down by our giant neighbour.

The Communist state has beaten India in most commercial undertakings across the world, especially in Africa, where the states were once India’s strongest allies. Sheer economic might and a ‘no-strings attached’ policy in regional politics have given the dragon a big edge.

Though nuclear-armed Ind­ia is considered a force to reckon with and its growing economy is emerging as a big draw for investors, there are policy flaws that undermine our credibility.

Pakistan continues to bleed India through a thousand wounds, terrorism being the primary weapon. From circulating counterfeit currency to the recent SMS/MMS campaign that triggered the exodus of people of North East from South India, our estranged sibling’s unabated attacks reduce our economic and military might to mere paper tigers.

Our deafening silence on decades of dictatorship across in West Asia and feeble support for Palestine shows that we are still incapable of pushing our agenda in the global arena. We were forced to scale down our support to Aung San Suu Kyi after the Burmese junta began harbouring and arming anti-India militants.

In the last few years, India has allowed the US to arm-twist it in several matters, including doing business with Iran. The nuclear liability Bill has been watered down to appease possible partners. Though they voice protest about its ‘stringent clauses’, Indian follow-up of Bhopal Gas Tragedy has demonstrated amply that the rules would be more of an irritant than measures that would enforce liability or accountability.

With government after government at the Centre crippled by alliance compulsions and giving in to populist (and incredibly stupid) measures, we have little offer to the rest of the world as a power that has the will to get its way — and unwilling to go all the way.

(This article was published as the editorial column in Postnoon on August 29, 2012)

Divided we stand as Pakistan's puppets

Assam riots and its ripple effect have come as a disgrace to India and its leaders who love to flaunt the 'unity in diversity' tag.

While the violence displaced close to 4.5 lakh people in Assam, at least 50,000 people from North East fled from other parts of the country to their homes as random targeted attacks and hate campaigns via SMS, MMS and social networking sites created a fear psychosis.

Some media reports claim that the sheer magnitude of the displacement is the biggest that has been triggered in the history of the country since the post-partition bloodbaths.

While the violence in Assam has behind it complex and intertwined factors such as illegal migration, ethnic identity, vote bank politics, militancy, unemployment and lack of development, its 'fallout' across the rest of the country defies all logic.

One cannot fathom why lives and property of people of North East, very much the citizens of this country, must be held to ransom by elements who support Bangladeshi immigrants (according to government statistics, there are at least 3 crore of them). Can someone who threaten his countrymen on behalf of protecting illegal aliens be called a patriot? Their actions are nothing short of treason.

Now more evidence is emerging about Pakistan being the epicentre of the mobile and internet hate campaign (like most of terrorism directed at India). Indian intelligence agencies have said that it is a psychological warfare that has full support from Pakistani intelligence agencies.

Therefore, any act of violence that would hurt Indians and undermine our national security security will be the moral equivalent of being on the payroll of Pakistan.

What difference does it make if someone in Bangalore or Mumbai attacks people with oriental features? Will it solve the problems of Assam? Can even one among these brainwashed mobs differentiate between an Assamese from a Naga, or a Manipuri from a Mizo? Do they know anything about the unique culture and heritage of the North East?

India has been battling militancy in the North East for decades. The continuing conflicts and the resultant military presence have already made the people of the region wary of the designs of those in the 'mainland'. Even without the racially-targeted violence, they face enough humiliation, harassment and discrimination across the country. Reservations, economic packages and inspiring speeches on 'our India' will not work when our citizens are made refugees in our own country.

An anti-Assam-violence protest in Mumbai on August 11 turned violent, killing two people and injuring over 50 — most of them policemen. The thick-skulled mob did not even spare the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial (for martyred Indian soldiers).

The exodus of North East people from 'mainland' cities have given a major boost to Sangh Parivar organisations. The likes of Raj Thackeray and his vitriolic MNS are hogging the limelight and whipping up communal passion. The way of life India adopted after partition has ensured that we did not end up a failed, savage, theocratic dump like Pakistan, and it is only natural that our western neighbour wants some parity in the department.

It will be an acid test for us as a nation to uphold the values enshrined in our culture and the Constitution so that we do not end up like our estranged (and deranged) sibling.

(This article was published as the editorial column in Postnoon on August 22, 2012)