The news of Indian Ambassador to USA, Ms.Meera Shankar, undergoing a pat-down on the 4th of December 2010, by some US Airport authorities which flashed across India after three weeks literally shocked we Indians. On hearing the painful news, the ones who were enraged were the common citizens of India. The mandarins in the corridors of power who should have taken up the matter then and there tried to keep a low-profile after lodging a token protest to the US govt. If the plight of our ambassador was on those lines we can very well assume the fate about to be befallen on the ordinary mortals visiting USA.
Many such instances had already occurred, the former Defence Minister George Fernandez, Aviation Minister Praful Patel, Bollywood celebrity Shahrukh Khan, Mollywood celebrity Mammootty and many other unknown citizens of India had to and have to undergo serious checks by a few US airport authorities. Strip-searching, frisking, pat-down – interesting terms really.
This is not the case of India, this is the fate of many other nations across the world. Why this Super power is apprehending trouble from persons belonging to different nation ever since 9/11.
The only nation which does have the guts to take on US is Brazil, it is learnt. As the Brazilian authorities have made it a point to strip-search and frisk and pat-down Americans, any American visiting that country. The provocation for which was Brazilians after being subjected to such kinds of behaviour by American authorities started to reply in the same coin.
The guts this Latin American nation keeps, our nation, the largest democracy in the world doesn’t have. Why Indian authorities prefer to play second fiddle to USA always while it has the locus standi to tread its own path without fear or favour? Why do we always play subservient to this so-called Super power thereby inviting shame to Indian citizens? Do we benefit any special kind of gift or benefit for this slavish attitude.
One might be thinking why as a citizen I am that much enraged, why I have taken such a strong exception to the arrogance of this country called USA. The answer lies in the question itself.
India is a member of 9 member Asian Clearing Union (ACU). This week India unilaterally took a decision not to allow Indian companies to take part in the clearing of which Iran is a prominent member and the largest provider of crude-oil and gas allegedly as per the instruction of USA which would result in the import of oil and gas. India through ACU used to transact business in gas and crude-oil of which Iran is the important beneficiary. At a moment world oil prices are running sky-high already US $ 90 have crossed per barrel, India’ decision not to import crude-oil from Iran, that too at the instance of USA is not only a foolish act but something reprehensible. Iran is a traditional friend of India, we could benefit a lot by engaging with that country. Not only India, Iran too could benefit by mutual engagements. But whenever offers beneficial to India come from, for instance Iran-Pakistan-India gas-pipe line USA arm-twisted India and India meekly succumbed to the pressure of America. America always keeps its self-interest above all, but its subservient country that is India always prefer to dance to the tune of USA throwing away its self-interest, even self-respect.
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