India must stand up

The real test is whether it will maintain a forthright posture when challenged.

India did make bold to come out with its nuclear device, but in general it has preferred caution or diffidence — sometimes even ill-fitting moderation — to forthrightness in its approach to bilateral, regional and global affairs since the days of Nehru and Indira Gandhi. US President Barack Obama more than hinted at this when he addressed our Parliament late last year, complaining that while India aspired to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it did not speak up on important items on the international agenda. Therefore, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s candid observation to the combined commanders’ conference in the national capital earlier this week is apt to surprise the US leader. Not mincing words, the prime minister noted that the international strategic and political environment had “deteriorated” on account of the economic difficulties facing the leading Western nations, curtailing their ability to intervene in global affairs. As such, he said it was necessary for this country to “consoli date its strategic autonomy” and prepare for independent action on questions that concern it.

But there is no doubting the statement of intent. The point really is, will India deliver when it matters? A lot of the time unambiguous political statements, diplomatic actions and trade-related moves will be called for to gain a key objective — in short, the kind of options that China, for example, does not lose sight of. The test would be when India maintains a forthright posture when challenged. 

Deccan Chronicle, October 15