Ready To Roll Over

That’s what the first servant of 10 Janpath really means when he says he is ready to discuss anything, yes anything, even Kashmir with Pakistan. Now if this were glories days of ancient times when the political leadership cared about spine or when the media was not such a word-which-rhymes-with-glitch of the GANDH dynasty (for ref see here), we could have rested peacefully known that these talks were nothing more than handshakes and smiles signifying nothing. This time however, there are reasons to be afraid that the circus that is UPA-II is up to no good, and will end up making up concessions that India has long refused to even discuss.

 

Now as unpalatable concessions may be to Hindu Fascist like me, one can grudgingly accept them if there is a return. However this is not going to be the case. Pakistan is not going to reciprocate, and if you believe otherwise, well can I tempt you with an offer of Taj Mahal at a discount which can be only described as criminal? Which is to say that the end result will be India: 0 Pakistan: 1. Now you might be wondering why Manmohan Singh will do this, well we will talk about it later.

 

But what should give nightmares to my fellow HF’s is more than throwing away of one or two games to Pakistan; rather it is the really disturbing trend of Indian leadership capitulating to US.

All the moves that Indian establishment has taken, from policy decision, to statements of intent, are with one objective in sight, to propitiate US. Now there are people who argue this is a legitimate strategy (of course they never call it propitiation) to further Indian interests, a sort of reach around, back scratching, help them us you get the picture,  Problem with this is Obama administration has no taste for a protracted involvement in Af-Pak theatre. Indeed the only reason Obama has not already withdrawn is American public doesn’t like losing and doesn’t like the presidents who lose. This only means that US administration is only looking for a face saving formula, a way to declare victory and go home by 2012. It thinks it is only possible if Taliban is pacified by carrot (power sharing arrangement with “good” Taliban) and sticks (targeted drone attacks backed by Pakistani assault) is impossible without Pakistan’s support, which is possible only if Pakistan is offered its pound of flesh, thus India is hosed no matter how much she plays nice.

 

However at this point, I am not sure that MMS even expects any quid pro quo from US. The question then arises why he will do this; well the answer to this is same as answer to the previous quandary. Two factors are at play here, one UPA-|| and that includes MMS, is spineless, and as such, is averse to having to make hard choices. Talking, even though inconsequential, is the safest choice, and they have taken it. Second, for MMS sycophancy is intrinsic part of his political DNA. He has succeeded in his carrier by unceasing sucking up to higher ups, and hence assumes what worked for him personally will also work for India.

 

Unfortunately for us, in diplomacy, as in dating, it is important to know when to say stop.