Wanted: An Enduring Basis for Indo-US Amity

It remains to be seen yet what positive and net benefits accrue to India from the visit of Prime Minister Shastri to the USSR. But to an India who had been touched to the quick by recent postures of the USA, the trip is sure to have some sort of a balmy effect. The common men cannot fail to notice the contrast between the cowboy diplomacy and the bear’s tickling. In the present state of the nation’s mood, few can be expected to discern the dangerous consequences of the latter. No wonder if Indo-Us friendship suffers a set back.

There are people both in India and USA who want to strengthen Indo-Us ties of friendship. The two countries are wedded to democracy. In the East and the West respectively each can be a bulwark of strength for democracy. But this ideological affinity is too thin to forge strong and enduring bonds of unity. History gives numberless examples where ideology has been totally irrelevant to international attitudes. Moreover, USA itself has not cared much to preserve and promote democracy wherever it has gone. Generally speaking, except for the countries of West Europe. Democracy has been a casualty in all the countries allied to the USA. We do not mean it to be any reflection of USA. Democracy by its very nature cannot be transplanted or artificially propped up. It is the genius of the people that can sustain it. Therefore, those who desire friendship with USA should know that such friendship cannot be built on wishful premises.

It is only on the basis of hard realities of national life that international relations have to be built. If USA and India are mutually useful and beneficial to each other, we can continue to be friends and benefit each other. If on the other hand we pursue policies that are either irksome or harmful to each other’s interests, estrangement between our relations is bound to come. Let us now take the other for granted. This has been a basic mistake on both the sides. Those in the State Department have developed a supercilious attitude. They treat India as they treat other allied governments. Similarly our external affairs ministry and the government are so convinced of the justice of their cause, that they expect an automatic support from everybody. We do not recognise the need and scope of diplomacy in such matters. We must change our ways.

USA has failed to understand the delicate relationship between India and Pakistan. We cannot comprehend and appreciate the USA’s morbid opposition to communism. If there is anything which has played Indo-Us relations, it is USA’s bias in favour of Pakistan. In all matters against India Pakistan can safely on rely US support? India unable to see any plausible justification for this behaviour of the USA, especially after Pakistan’s open flirtation with Communist China. America’s love for Pakistan is a mystery as deep as late Pandit Nehru love for Krishna Menon Similarly USA wants us to lend our support to its opposition to Soviet Russia. That India has persistently refused to do. Even those who are opposed to communist recognise the need and usefulness of Indo-Soviet friendship America’s case against Communism recognise the need and usefulness of Indo-Soviet friendship. America’s case against Communism and Soviet Russia is based on the Stalinist era. With the recent changes in Soviet Russia and especially with the growing detente between Russia and China, the number of Soviet-phoebes in India has fast decreased. If American friendship is to be secured at the cost of Indo-Soviet friendship few would consider the bargain worth while. Except for few extremists, Indians in general desire to live in friendship with both USA and USSR. The task is difficult and delicate but not impossible, if only we follow certain do’s and don’t. Let us in the first place confine this relationship only to those matters that strictly concern the two countries. In all other matters we can afford to be neutral or follow a policy that is not against the interests of the other partner. Now that we have enough troubles of our own let us forget the world at least for the moment. India should give up its role of the preacher and the USA of a mediator between India and Pakistan. Realising their embarrassment, we do not want any support from the Anglo-American blocks in our conflicts with Pakistan. Let them give up their patronising attitude. If they can be natural and non-aligned between the two, there will be no cause for grievance by either. India can also give up the role of peace-maker that it has been accustomed to play so far.

Recent happenings have greatly damaged Indo-US relations. Unless some social attempts are made the ‘status quo ante’ will not be restored. There are people in the country who are exploiting the situation to further their nefarious game; If American is really against communism it should not do things that help them.

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer