India’s fumble at the UNSC

[CaptainJackSparrow]

India’s fumble at the UNSC​

In a world of increasing complexity, India needs to develop a much more sophisticated outlook if it is to participate meaningfully in global affairs as a power to be reckoned with. Conducting foreign policy on outdated thumb rules won’t do

India’s election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was hailed as a major event for the country. The last time the country had a seat on that high table was 19 years earlier, before the end of the bipolar order and the complex problems of recent years were hardly imaginable. At that time, a worldview crafted during the Cold War decades enabled simple, near binary, choices.

Today, that comfort is not available. India’s difficulties, if that is an appropriate expression, in dealing with the Libyan situation illustrate this well. When sanctions on Tripoli were being deliberated at the UNSC, India reluctantly sided with the majority. Some weeks later, during a global debate on imposing a no-fly zone over Libyan air space, New Delhi aired its reservations. As reported in Mint on Tuesday, the country’s envoy to Libya, along with those of Russia and China, met the ruler Moammar Gadhafi who said the three countries should invest in the oil infrastructure there.

While such meetings are routine, in this particular instance—when seen along with the voting record at the UNSC and other relevant facts—India appears to be fumbling on the subject. This is not a good sign for a country that is seeking a permanent seat at the UNSC.

To be fair to our foreign policy establishment, handling complex international questions is often tricky. The problem in India’s case, however, is that of hanging on to an outdated vision. India has for historical reasons—especially its encounter with colonial rule—been against foreign intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries. Our record on this is consistent. This has bred a realist vision that refuses to believe that the nature of domestic political rule in a country has a bearing on its external relations. India’s fears over great power intervention over Kashmir fuelled this outlook to a point where it has become counterproductive.

This has led to failures. One good example is our inability to deal with Pakistan. The foreign policy establishment and influential voices in the country continue to believe that negotiating with any government in Pakistan will deliver results suitable to India. The fact is that politics in Pakistan is consistently anti-democratic—even if it comes with a foil of elections. Key areas of decision-making have been under the army’s control for decades. It’s hardly surprising that the country is a global terror factory.

In a world of increasing complexity, India needs to develop a much more sophisticated outlook if it is to participate meaningfully in global affairs as a power to be reckoned with. Conducting foreign policy on outdated thumb rules won’t do.

India

 

[indushek]

Too much generalization here, what does the writer know of behind the scenes happenings.

There are too many factors at stake when a country makes decisions on such matters.

 

[Huan]

India needs to settle its territorial disputes with Pakistan and China first and foremost.

 

[CaptainJackSparrow]

India needs to settle its territorial disputes with Pakistan and China first and foremost.

That's right but no solution to any issue is possible when you expect only one side to make all the compromises.

And India is in no hurry whatsoever to make unnecessary compromises. A mutual give and take is, though, welcome anytime.

 

[prototype]

I dont know why the author feel that India still conduct its policy on outdated policies,because it did not sidelined with majority?

What I feel its not lack of sophistication,but because of increased sophistication,the entire BRIC abstained but why India is selectively targeted in the article,because of not sidelining with west which was more than expected.

If India was considered by Gaddafi along with biggies China and Russia that was only because of our new found role.

About dealing with Pakistan,the problem had no real solution's,the world must understand that,all roads end at Kashmir,on which both r not ready to take a step backward which has the capability to inject a political turmoil in the respective nation's if they did so.

This problem will remain with India even it does not matter how much it grow,so cultural events r not going to erase our problems.

 

[Tigershark]

The decision for India is whether to align with the West or with Asia. The latest action signals the latter. The BRIC countries simultaneous abstained the Libya resolution and coordinated press releases expressing regret over France and the US going beyond merely implementing a no-fly zone. At the same time, this is no longer the Cold War, and India is free to engage with the West and trade with them. I think it's a sophisticated move on the part of the Government of India. After all, Europe and America will not remain the superpowers forever, and India needs to look to the future.

 

[@nline]

CaptainJackSparrow,

Your ID should get a new name as "Troll Maker"