UPA's West Asia policy hostage to ‘Muslim vote' :WIKI

[Gossipmonger]

UPA's West Asia policy hostage to ‘Muslim vote' :WIKI

The United Progressive Alliance government's policy towards West Asia is dictated by its anxiety to keep the “politically influential Muslim vote bloc” in good humour, thus forcing it to walk a “tight rope” and refrain from engaging “too deeply” with the region. This is the recurring assessment sent to headquarters by confidential U.S. Embassy cables, accessed by The Hindu through WikiLeaks. New Delhi's reactions to Hamas's election victory in 2006, to Israel's attacks on Lebanon later that year, and to its air strikes on Gaza in 2008 are all interpreted through this lens.

‘Gutless’

Communications to Washington from senior American diplomats in the New Delhi Embassy constantly portray India's West Asia policy as being hostage to the Muslim factor in domestic politics. In its bid not to antagonise Muslim voters, the cables explained, the government was forced to play down its “strategic relationship” with Israel.

In one raw cable dated March 31, 2006 (58913: confidential), Ambassador David Mulford characterised India's public position on its relations with Israel as “gutless” and lacking in “moral clarity.” “The underlying straddle of meek statements about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict combined with full-steam-ahead engagement with Israel on practical and strategic matters,” he wrote scathingly, “is unlikely to change. We should not expect any public courage from India anytime soon when it comes to condemning Hamas or reacting on [Ehud] Olmert's recent victory. Pragmatism trumps moral clarity in Delhi's Middle East policy.”

In Mr. Mulford's view, India had “chosen to remain silent” on Mr. Olmert's victory in order “to avoid ruffling Muslim sentiments.” He added: “India will wait until other nations voice their opinions and only then may decide to speak up, if forced or if advantageous to do so, a feature typical of the GOI when it comes to reacting particularly about Middle Eastern issues, given the importance of the Muslim vote bank to the ruling Congress party.”

In a cable dated August 4, 2006 (73697: confidential), a senior U.S. diplomat, Geoff Pyatt, wrote that Indian condemnation of Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza was an attempt to “manage” the Muslim anger over the issue, “conveniently overlooking the increasingly tight security and technology relationship between the two countries.” Another cable, dated December 29, 2008 (184997: confidential), attributed India's strong reaction to Israeli attacks in Gaza to “public consumption.” It was in keeping with “India's past practice of publicly condemning Israeli actions for public consumption, yet privately protecting healthy bilateral relations.”

“The Government of India again walks a tightrope influenced by its election cycle,” the Embassy cable summed up. “It must convey to Israel that it understands Israel's current plight while doing its diplomatic duty to condemn what is seen by many here as oppressive tactics. From time to time Muslim leaders in India organize protests when they feel the GOI has not taken a strong enough stance against Israel during heightened periods of violence, and it is likely that by quickly condemning the air strikes, the Indian government felt it could preempt such demonstrations.”

The Hindu : News / The India Cables : West Asia policy hostage to ‘Muslim vote'

 

[Lala_Peace]

Thank God we are not USA. We have the second largest Muslim population in the world. Our foreign policy will reflect our interest.


Even our rightist parties sacrifice their agenda to cling on to power.

We don't recite religious chants in parliament and when one religious chant is recited, our MPs don't cry foul against a religion.


That is the difference the way USA sees world and India sees the world.

 

[KS]

Mehh.... Its a known policy and in the words of former Ambassador David Mulford,"The Congress will shamlessly use religious tensions for its own political benefits".

And exactly what is the "interest" in shouting for the Palestinians when they are shooting themselves in the foot ?

 

[EjazR]

And what was the reason for the BJP-led NDA to sign a security co-operation agreement with Iran in 2003 as well as co-operation in Afghanistan? Infact, Vajpayee was the second PM after PV Rao to visit Iran. He also received the Iranian president as a chief guest on Republic day.

At present Indian-Iranian ties under UPA are probably at a much lower ebb than under the NDA.

From the cable language it clearly comes out that the US ambassador probably expected India to toe the US line just like the number of tinpot client regimes across the world toe the US line. Sorry but Indian, not US interests will guide Indian foreign policy.

 

[GORKHALI]

This's what congress is all about when thing like scams,corruption etc haunting them ,they always come up with Safron terror and hindu extremists to satisfy their vote bank policy to divert from real issues,so atleast a section of people become happy . This is why Congress Will fall To ruins this election and am not saying this my friends circle and family want these guys to kicked out ASAP..

 

[december]

India stand from independence was with middle east nation............its india policy.......india does not support israel illegal sttelement in gaza and wst bank....and i dont think it is going to cahnge any time soon........

 

[GORKHALI]

India stand from independence was with middle east nation............its india policy.......india does not support israel illegal sttelement in gaza and wst bank....and i dont think it is going to cahnge any time soon........

yea! Were where you when they came from no where to help us in kargil ?? We owe to them and those who talk sissy about them would take my heart away from me..

 

[Bang Galore]

yea! Were where you when they came from no where to help us in kargil ?? We owe to them and those who talk sissy about them would take my heart away from me..

While the help got during Kargil from Israel is indeed something that we should be grateful for, remember that the Israelis were not doing any charity. One can be equally grateful to the Arabs for allowing so many Indian nationals to work in their countries & remit valuable foreign exchange for many years. Both these acts also serve their own interests, there is no need to make a song & dance about it.

As for a policy being hostage to the perceived feelings of a minority community in India, while I do not believe that the reading is entirely accurate or that it presents a full picture, it is far better to keep in mind sentiments of fellow Indians than to shamelessly pander to foreign interests blindly(i stress blindly).

Israel's policy on the Palestinian issue is totally without an ounce of merit and borders on genocidal.India should not support a policy that no one in the world supports & one which many Israelis themselves do not agree with.

 

[GORKHALI]

While the help got during Kargil from Israel is indeed something that we should be grateful for, remember that the Israelis were not doing any charity. One can be equally grateful to the Arabs for allowing so many Indian nationals to work in their countries & remit valuable foreign exchange for many years. Both these acts also serve their own interests, there is no need to make a song & dance about it.

As for a policy being hostage to the perceived feelings of a minority community in India, while I do not believe that the reading is entirely accurate or that it presents a full picture, it is far better to keep in mind sentiments of fellow Indians than to shamelessly pander to foreign interests blindly(i stress blindly).

Israel's policy on the Palestinian issue is totally without an ounce of merit and borders on genocidal.India should not support a policy that no one in the world supports & one which many Israelis themselves do not agree with.

nop!!am not agree with it mate. Israeli came fwd ,when our so called allies where silient . Take an example of france to their Mirage m2k ,didn't they raised objection regarding juggad to carry LGB supplied by Israelis .. We giving them money too to tweak mission computers in m2k but they simply refused and we all know why ?? Money is not everything for israelis ,they helped HAL to tweak m2k for some other reasons too. Nobody supplied us the UAV even european union rejected our plea in kargil,again you might have heared about it ?? But our immorals ,impotent leaders forgot their help .. if israeli is occupational force so is indian army,didn't we occupied lands of kashmiris ,nagalands,manipuris etc .?? You can't be double mouth in international arena..

 

[Manas]

I presume David Malford is Jew and he doesn't like congress much .

 

[GORKHALI]

Btw am not saying just go for all out diplomatic row with middle east . My point is just shut our mouth ,when our own house is in fire.. No need to poke our nose in there problems.

 

[Manas]

nop!!am not agree with it mate. Israeli came fwd ,when our so called allies where silient . Take an example of france to their Mirage m2k ,didn't they raised objection regarding juggad to carry LGB supplied by Israelis .. We giving them money too to tweak mission computers in m2k but they simply refused and we all know why ?? Money is not everything for israelis ,they helped HAL to tweak m2k for some other reasons too. Nobody supplied us the UAV even european union rejected our plea in kargil,again you might have heared about it ?? But our immorals ,impotent leaders forgot their help .. if israeli is occupational force so is indian army,didn't we occupied lands of kashmiris ,nagalands,manipuris etc .?? You can't be double mouth in international arena..

Vote bank politics does matter the most . Congress party needs Muslims votes to win elections. At the same time its congress party under PV Narasinmha Rao who opened up formal relations with Israel.

Israel knows the compulsion of Congress party to provide lip service on the issue of Palestine to placate its Muslim voters .its okay with it.

On the other hand BJP has always been much more transparent and forthcoming about Israel.
LK Advani had state visit to Isreal as the deputy prime minister and Israel's prime minister had visited India during the NDA rule.

 

[Kinetic]

If Congress needs to look at West Asia for 'Muslim' votes than its really worrisome. Though its not new for Congress but their long standing policy. This is 21st century! In his opinion about the UPA govt, the US ambassador's cabled some known acts.

 

[KS]

While the help got during Kargil from Israel is indeed something that we should be grateful for, remember that the Israelis were not doing any charity. One can be equally grateful to the Arabs for allowing so many Indian nationals to work in their countries & remit valuable foreign exchange for many years. Both these acts also serve their own interests, there is no need to make a song & dance about it.

Though not exactly charity the timing was very crucial and when the EU refused help in satellite images and Russia itself was still recovering from the crisis, it was Israel that came up with the much needed satellite imageries from the Ofeq satellites and provided the LGB conversion kits on emergency basis that played a stellar role in the kargil war.

And there is nothing charity in the Arab countries 'allowing' our citizens to be there - the Arabs cant bend their backs themselves and I better not say the discrimination and the racist attitude they have towards us South Asians. This is based on my first hand experience in Kuwait and Bahrain.

As for a policy being hostage to the perceived feelings of a minority community in India, while I do not believe that the reading is entirely accurate or that it presents a full picture, it is far better to keep in mind sentiments of fellow Indians than to shamelessly pander to foreign interests blindly(i stress blindly).

Agreed, but article says that the Policy is not just 'mindful' of the sentiments of Indian Muslims, but altogether a hostage to it. Now there is a difference in that.

Israel's policy on the Palestinian issue is totally without an ounce of merit and borders on genocidal.India should not support a policy that no one in the world supports & one which many Israelis themselves do not agree with.

I cant agree with this, atleast partially - the Palestinians are equally culpable in this crime and blaming either side alone like the Muslims world blames Israel or the Westerners balme Palestinians doesnt do justice to either of them.

And with the stated policy of many Muslim nations being destruction of Israel it is but natural for Israel to respond with a mix of paranoia and rage.

nop!!am not agree with it mate. Israeli came fwd ,when our so called allies where silient . Take an example of france to their Mirage m2k ,didn't they raised objection regarding juggad to carry LGB supplied by Israelis .. We giving them money too to tweak mission computers in m2k but they simply refused and we all know why ?? Money is not everything for israelis ,they helped HAL to tweak m2k for some other reasons too. Nobody supplied us the UAV even european union rejected our plea in kargil,again you might have heared about it ??

I also dont agree with this blind sucking upto Israel. Though their help was of utmost importance to India during that war, it was ultimately the good old infantry and the artillery that saved our a$$. And just because of that help we must not surrender ourselves to Israel. Wake up Israel needs us as much as we need them.

This should be a relationship based in trust and mutual benefit and not some blind brotherhood as you seem to suggest.

But our immorals ,impotent leaders forgot their help .. if israeli is occupational force so is indian army,didn't we occupied lands of kashmiris ,nagalands,manipuris etc .?? You can't be double mouth in international arena..

Nagaland, Manipur ?? When did Indians invade Manipur, push out the Manipuris claiming its our 'promised land' ?, Lol def.pk is getting to you.

 

[EjazR]

I just find it funny that some Indians would take the words of what an American diplomat who clearly shows contempt for Indian democracy as gospel.

Really, the only reason why India would maintain a balanced position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is ONLY because of the Muslim vote? The GCC as a political block is the single biggest entitiy in terms of trade with over a $100B in trade per annum. And UAE and Saudi Arabia are in the top 5 trade partners. 80% of energy supplies come through the West Asia region.

Iran policy was taken forward by the BJP govt. under Vajpayee and even though Israel was compleately opposed to it. There was a security co-opearation pact signed as well as upgrades done to submarines as well as military exercises. Vajpayee vetoed the sending of Indian troops in Iraq and invited Saddam Hussain to India as well as passed a resolution in parliament condeming the invasion of Iraq. Was that on the basis of muslim vote too?

The American ambassador is building his own bias in his assement because he can't understand why India is not know-towing to US policy like some other countries.