Manmohan Singh falters

Today is a sad day for independent Indian foreign policy. I was always so proud of our independent non-aligned foreign policy. It was always so rightous, so self-standing, so non-dependent on anyone but ourselves. We led NAM, we kept South Africa and Israel isolated, we developed nuclear technology on our own, we were one of the handful countries which did not sign NPT as it is discriminatory, we tested nuclear device we serve our self-defence needs, and is the sole country to proclaim as a irreversible policy our no-first use of nuclear weapons.

And now, when Iran is being unjustly targetted by the western world solely for economic profit for themselves, India voted for the IAEA resolution. It asked Iran to stop enriching uranium to feed it's own nuclear reactor, and beg the west to supply that iff they toe the US line. This is so completely unjust as I had noted in a post before. And last I expected was for India to do a volte-face and take the easy way out. Put it's own national interest (allying with US) before something righteous. What has Iran done to condemn it to sell it's oil for it's energy needs, without knowledge of advanced means of producing energy? Nothing. except it has tried breaking into a coterie of greedy western powers. I have read all the for-arguments, namely India was responsible for waterng down the resolution and postpose a decision till November. But, ditching a friend in need is the most reprehensible behavior. It cannot be justified by any means. I respect Saran and his capabilities. But, he is taking too short sighted a view of things.

India needs to recognize that a strong independent foreign policy is a must for a great nation. Nobody wants to be a Japan. I am so much more comfortable in giving India's foreign policy decision to CPI/CPIM or BJP. They will never sell the soul for whatever benefits it gives us. The troika of India, China and Russia are more than capable of challenging the hegemony of the west very soon. And we should recognize that. Allying with US - a country which has one of the worst record of human right abuses (to citizens of other countries) and commiting terrorist activities for the last 50 years - is a bitterest pill that MEA has ever served us. I hope we rectify our mistakes in November and make the world more democratic.

Addendum: I had a very interesting discussion with Shu regarding this issue. He made me realize that the powerful ones won't give away their power so easily. The only way out for Iran is to force things, like India did, and break in. Make a bomb too, as they need to protect themselves against Israel and USA's motives. The world is not equal and never will be, always divided between have and have-nots, but we should always strive towards it. :-)