Monday, January 19th, 2009
There is something wrong with the conduct of our foreign affairs. The language of diplomacy is both difficult and delicate. Those in charge seem to be totally innocent of it. I understand the need for some rhetoric with elections in the offing. But what is being said day in and day out does not even advance any legitimate electoral interest. At least intelligent people are revolted by it.
Another depressing feature is the frequency of retractions and flip flop. With a little thought a statement can be so worded that it does not have to be amended after every slight change in circumstances. It is better to think before you speak rather than fumble after every thoughtless fulmination.
Is the act of Pakistan or its agencies in dispatching murderous terrorists and suicide bombers, any different from Hamas lobbying rockets into Israel, habitations and killing innocent men, women and children. If the threats to pursue the terrorists inside Pakistan territory and raging war to prevent terrorism are legitimate why is it not legitimate to dispatch ground forces into Gaza to capture or sanitize the rocket launching sites.
India must pick up the courage of speaking truth to friend, foe and neutral alike. That is the way to honour Gandhiji who had promised that after independence India will be the conscience of the world.