[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]I[/dropcap]ndia continues to pester the international community to act tough against Pakistan; we want the United States to declare it a terrorist state. On our part, however, we are loath to do anything meaningful. The Narendra Modi regime has also embraced this mindless policy of the past, as evident from its rejection of the private member’s Bill introduced by Independent MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar in the Rajya Sabha.
Would the complete severance of economic ties between India and Pakistan destroy our foreign trade or bring down our economy?
Prominent parliamentarians like Subramanian Swamy and Swapan Dasgupta supported the Bill. Swamy said, “One of the senators introduced a Bill in the US to declare Pakistan as a terror-sponsoring state. It is not only we who think it is. The biggest patron thinks so. With Trump becoming President it is possible they will all go in that direction. We are the ones who are affected. How many incidents have taken place? So what is the answer, each time you can’t say peace, peace, peace. There has to be, at some stage, a retaliation. Either Executive has to take action, or accept this Bill and we will come forthwith with our own Bill in this matter or a statement in the House.”
However, the Executive (that is, the government) neither takes appropriate action nor does it want the Legislature to come up with any law that it would be forced to implement. The Modi government showed conspicuous timidity in rejecting the Bill. In his response in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir made all the right noises about Islamabad’s role promoting jihad in India, its intransigence, etc., but refused to take action. He rejected the Bill on the grounds that it would have “far-reaching ramifications.”
What kind of ramifications, Mr. Ahir? Would they be any worse than what we endure every day? Would the complete severance of economic ties between India and Pakistan destroy our foreign trade or bring down our economy? Do you know that we extended the ‘most favored nation’ status to Pakistan years ago, but it has not been reciprocated? There are many questions, but not a single answer.
[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]I[/dropcap]ronically, the answer—or, to be precise, the clue to the answer—came from an Opposition leader. Participating in the debate, Abhishek Manu Singhvi of the Congress favored a “calibrated” approach. Responding to this, Swamy rightly pointed out, “We have tried all this calibration during the 10 years of the UPA; all we have got is more terrorist attacks. Some relief has come after the surgical strike by our government, but that is not enough.”
Another tactic employed by status quoists and quietists is ‘but’. Pakistan incubates and exports jihad, and it should be stopped doing that, but… We should deal firmly with Pakistan, but… We should fight tooth and nail against terror, but…
I have earlier mentioned that, among other things, two terms afflict India’s Pakistan policy—‘calibration’ and ‘nuanced approach.’ These are the terms used by Nehruvians, many of whom still in the foreign office, to restrain India from taking any firm action against Islamabad.
Another tactic employed by status quoists and quietists is ‘but’. Pakistan incubates and exports jihad, and it should be stopped doing that, but… We should deal firmly with Pakistan, but… We should fight tooth and nail against terror, but…
A similar attitude was at display in the Rajya Sabha where everybody, including those opposed to the Bill, complimented Chandrasekhar and his efforts in drafting it. So, Singhvi said, “Sir, let me first start by commending the propounder of this Bill, Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, our colleague, and I think his zeal, good intentions, research is not in doubt. His bona fide is not in doubt.”
Dasgupta was able to discern the semantics of subterfuge. Therefore, he said, “I want to join other Members here who complimented Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar for his erudition, for his scholarly application and for producing a wonderful document. However, I will desist from adding the word ‘but’ to his wonderful Bill.”
But—the dreaded word butts in again!—the guy who mattered in this debate was Ahir. And he, representing the government, rejected the Bill. Status quo triumphed once again.
Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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Geo-politics has the answers behind the helplessness of our govt. Unless we become a very very strong military and independent economy, such a move can have cascading effects on us. Its best to muscle up and once ready, make any declaration.
I am not sure if such a declaration by India could have made any material difference to ground realty or Pak behavior. Only Pak will do the same declaration about India within hours .
Has our unanimous parliamentary resolution claiming ownership/thus vacation of PoK brought that territory on a platter?
It’s in India’s hands to deliver unacceptable damage/ punitive action for all acts of terrorism/insurgency and incursions militarily without reference to anyone; scrap river treaty/block water flow/withdraw MNF status as far as possible till Pak comes to its knees as an economic wreck.
The author did not educate us about the benefits to India out of ‘terrorist state’ declaration.
I have saying on important issues, Modi does not have clarity of thought.He is no statesman.He is one of those fortunate to be at the right place at the right time.India at the turn of 2012 was so disgusted with 2G scams, they desperately needed a messaiah.They had already rejected advani as loh purush.he is more jellybean but then modi with his studious quietness and the opposition mindlessly throwing unproven charges made him look like a “Messaiah” to the voting public who in their disgust of the congress crooks fell head over heels on this “Messaiah”.Now his limitations are getting exposed.As rightly pointed out by the author, modi is proving to be another confused person dominating our political stream.India has experience to blunder along with mediocre men and women.We will do so some more time.
Modi is sapera, he knows how to handle king cobra(Swamy) and his poison. keep watching a game. may be timing is not proper.
haha..sapera is good for low level brow chaiwallah issues…He must realise that he is the king of the country not a CM of a low brow state.national as well international issues require knowledge,understanding and decisiveness.vishy washy what is in it for me will not work.It is not a 2 takka, theen takka matter which whole of gujju land is familiar with.Also know drswamy is no cobra and he has nothing to do with this above article.have some context.
Haven’t you people heard? Modi is more Nehru than Nehru.
Time and again Pakistan has proved that it is not trustworthy, it’ll never mend it’s way hence while dealing with them there shouldn’t be any ifs and buts only a firm and stern decision is the answer. They are habitual liars and they are so deeply tangled in supporting terrorism that its highly impossible for them to come out of it hence there’s no point in expecting them to change.