On witnessing and reading about shedding of tears, suppressed rage and expression of indignation by certain quarters it seems it was the first time US was hurting the feelings of India. It is not a secret, not even hidden one, that this is an ongoing process.
A great man named Richard Holbrook of USA who holds the mighty post of Af-Pak envoy, why exclude India from his itenery, I don’t know makes it a point to fly to the war ravaged Afghanistan and terrorist-infested Pakistan to assess, guide and report to his higher-ups at the Oval office. Out of love and affection, the great man in spite of his hectic schedule takes time to take a flight to India to lecture the Indian foreign ministry officials the need to maintain a “warm friendship” and restraint even if provoked from across the border with the neighbouring country of Pakistan as also for providing maximum succour to Afghanistan by utilizing funds for infrastructure development and man power. He needs the co-operation of both India and Pakistan in meeting the challenges and in the process extension of help to wriggle out the entrapped Super Power from Taliban and Al-Queda elements for making an early exit for saving the face.
Recent suicide bombings by certain elements of Taliban and LeT elements suspected from the reports it is crystal clear that the bombings were specifically targeted against Indians along with six Indian casualties, persons of foreign origin and a few Afghan security men also got killed, otherwise why the barbarians specifically aimed the Indian Medical Mission of Kabul.
The hapless Indians skilled and unskilled, diplomatic personnel included, engage whole-heartedly under dangerous circumstances fearing the worst at any moment keep expectations and hopes of fool-proof security from the barbaric elements. Their families in India, friends, kith and kin like these dedicated men spend each moment pray for their safe return at the earliest.
It was not the first time Indians were falling victims to the machinations of terrorists the worst kind of massacres occurred at different points of times in this prolonged ordeal for no fault of theirs. They are not fighting with the US or NATO forces against the Taliban or Al-queda element they are sweating it out in the development of infrastructure, building hospitals, schools, Parliament building - a team to build up a modern Afghanistan from the ruins of a war dating back to 2001.
In return Indian talents in Afghanistan are being rewarded with bullets, bombs and such lethal weapons.
Richard Holbrook has nothing to loose. As the Af-Pak envoy he visits Afghanistan and assess the progress on the war-front shake-hands with Hamid Karzai and other Afghan officials then one or two words of appreciation with Stanley Mchrystal a pat on his back (well done, Mechrystal) then proceeds to Pakistan there also the drama is being enacted with promises of logistical support and abundant funds to rein in the militants and in the same breath need for taking on those entrenched in the difficult rugged terrains on the North-West Frontiers, unfortunately the casualties mount on the civilian front and the hard-core militants well-enconsced in safe-havens.
How come the man come to the conclusion that last week’s twin suicide bombings one specifically targeting the Indian Medical Mission inflicting maximum casualties were not aimed at India? How come he dare to preach to the Indian officials not to draw any conclusions from the lethal attack about the ruthless attack aimed against Indians?
Expression of suppressed rage and shedding of tears over the statement of a man that “we are upset over his remarks” warrant shame. Nothing but shame. The show will however proceed on these lines in future also.
Hilary Clinton’s Latin American Tour
Hilary Clinton, US Secretary of State is on a Latin American mission. At a time when the Super Power’s grip on relationship with nations across the world is loosening - though not expressing the disappointment in public- this damage controlling exercise assumes significance. The economic recession resulting in loss of face on the International arena together with two expensive wars with no result in sight, 29 millions of American’s unemployed contributing to a heavy drain on the exchequer the popular ratings of President taking a downward trend the nation finds itself in a deep pit. The early optimism of White House to throw itself out of the deep pit is now a distant dream.
Hilary Clinton, a true diplomat though, she is supposed to gain not much, camaraderie notwithstanding since the mutual suspicion and ideological differences in approach prevailing over years may find it an arduous task to bridge estranged relationships. South-East Asian nations emerging powerful economies and China already in the good books of Latin American nations especially Venezeula under Hugo Chavez, Bolivia under Evo Morales still keeping away from forgoing ties and a few Latin American countries like Brazil, Chile, Argentina are cautiously toeing a path of friendship with US, in the near future a close relationship is not expected. However through these goodwill visits she can certainly create an ambience of good will and hopes. A message of friendship, co-operation in various fields, peace in the long run if proceeded along without the airs of a Super Power will have and must have a salutary effect.
Let me conclude this piece in a lighter vein. Christina Kirchner, Argentinian President is all smiles these days. More happy, energetic and vibrant. Practising Art of Living? Just a curiosity…
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