WHERE DO WE STAND AFTER ALL IN WORLD AFFAIRS?

WHERE DO WE STAND AFTER ALL IN WORLD AFFAIRS?

India's weak foreign policy continues. Speaking in dual terms, playing both parties suit, may suit her fine but betrays her lack of significance in world affairs. Britain follows America like shadow following body and has yet again proved her ineffectual position in international affairs, a far cry from her days of colonial dominance. Meanwhile the Ummah gathers solidarity throughout the world showing India how to take up stance, not that such partisan attitude shows it up in any light brighter than the dastardly deeds it supports has shed on the world thus far. But India's inability to spell out in clear terms where lies her loyalty proves that she is an insignificant player in world affairs despite tallest claims otherwise. It is good to be realistic though and keep within bounds but bad to posture as a world power when she evidently cannot muster strength enough to show where she politically belongs. One understands her economic compulsions, her ties with the Arab world of oil-ownership and her new-fangled friendly relations with Israel but a world power ought to be more forthright in its statements and positioning than what India has shown up thus far to be. What is being highlighted here is the need to be as restrained in claims of premiership as a world power---which India is not---as is her restraint in committing to either party in the present conflict. Prudence and self-interest are good but ought to be exhibited in general terms as well in speaking less and doing more, a feature that will be more consistent with India's relative strength and weakness in a world where nations are not fools but can see through tall claims, hollow that they are quite. A permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council would require greater forthrightness and transparency in times of a world crisis. Else, that coveted seat is best not to covet. Hollow claims without corresponding deeds are never met.

Written by Sugata Bose