Some Random Thoughts

We as a nation are paranoid if other nations talk about mediation/autonomy/freedom for the state of Kashmir - so why are we interfering in what is happening in Sri Lanka? I can understand that the Tamils have migrated from India and form a large part of the ethnic minority in Sri Lanka – but does that not mean that having chosen to stay in that country they should abide by the laws of that country. Sri Lanka is a democracy, and whatever solution the Tamils want should be within the democratic framework. Prabhakaran carried out a war for freedom which has resulted in the loss of more than a 100,000 lives – he is now no more – so is it not high time to smoke the peace pipe and bring Sri Lanka back to its past beauty and serenity?

There are cries and protests in India with requests from various sources being made to the Indian Government to ask for autonomy for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. I hope the government does not interfere and behave with the big brother syndrome which our neighbours accuse us of. If they do interfere, we will not be able to withstand the charge of double standards from countries not looking for our well being with regards to Kashmir – we will then be on a real sticky wicket. It is best for the government of Sri Lanka to take a humanitarian view of the genocide which has already taken place and make best efforts to rehabilitate all those who have lost near and dear ones, lost property and the means to earn a livelihood. If Sri Lanka requires humanitarian aid and our expertise in such matters, then and then only should we come forward to help.

Yesterday, I had written about US getting stuck in the Pakistani quicksand and how US is also responsible for the mess that now exists in Pakistan – guess what? – Hillary Clinton has reportedly (today’s TOI) said that US has used Pakistan over the years for furthering it’s own geo-political agenda and hence was in large part to blame for the mess that is Pakistan. I have always said what goes round comes round – and in the coming years it will be the US which will get it’s due. It has over the years poked its nose all over the world, whether it is Latin America, Africa, Middle East, South East Asia to further its own agenda, whether oil or whatever caught their fancy at that point in time. They have indulged in all kinds of dirty tricks and used a lot of dirty money to further their own so called goals. Well, looks like Mr. Obama may just oversee the downfall of the US economy in the years to come. I just hope the countless faceless enemies of the US don’t stand up and ask to be counted – in which case the US may face more problems than can be imagined.

Both India and the US are democracies having similar principles and interests, hence it is really surprising that Mr. Obama has so far ignored India. Maybe he was waiting for our elections to get over to start interaction with the new government with a fresh mandate – lets wait and see whether he takes the first step. As of now it is all about penalising outsourcing companies, reducing H1B visas etc. – he should read Thomas Friedman’s “The World is Flat” maybe he will get a better idea on what needs to be done to jump start the US economy.

The convergence of India and US rests just as much on shared principles as it does on shared interests, thus as Pakistan tears itself apart, US needs India more than ever. India matters to virtually every major foreign policy issue that will confront the United States in the years ahead.