Strong, Flexible Foreign Policy To Serve India's Interests

The Indian foreign policy in the new circumstances needs to be strong yet flexible enough to enable it to extend its sphere. This is absolutely essential in order to make its mark in the world as a major power and to strengthen its defense. From this viewpoint, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao's US visit holds special importance. Her main purpose is to strengthen and extend relations between the countries. That is why she had several rounds of talks with various officials on strategy information exchange.

Benefit of India-US Ties

It is a fact that both Pakistan and Afghanistan are bound to make their presence felt in India-US relations. Nirupama Rao has communicated India's concern on terrorism to the United States. She was also justified in stating that continuous incidents of instigation by terrorists indicate that they come from Pakistan.

However, this did not prevent India from keeping the doors open for talks. But this should not be interpreted as India's weakness. The message sent by India through the United States is expected to reach Pakistan.

Increasing Attacks on Afghanistan
At the same time, Nirupama Rao pointed out that Afghanistan has become a big challenge to this region's security. That is why India is in no mood to withdraw from there.

Instead of keeping a low profile, India wants to make its presence in Afghanistan more prominent.

Changing US Af-Pak Policy
The United States was compelled to appreciate this determination and praised India for its role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Viewing the increasing attacks on Afghanistan, India has requested North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries to stay there until the situation becomes normal.

As a matter of fact, the purpose of Nirupama Rao's visit seems to be an attempt to build pressure on the United States for not changing its Afghanistan-Pakistan policy. If NATO countries withdraw from Afghanistan leaving the country at Taliban's mercy, and indirectly at Pakistan's, nothing can stop violence from spreading in this area.

Strategic Proximity
That is why while describing the 26 February attack in Kabul as barbaric India has advised the United States to demand a firm explanation from Pakistan about its role in this incident. India is trying to convey to the United States its view on Pakistan and Afghanistan in this context and to send a message to Pakistan.

At the same time, India is trying to have closer relations with the United States. The strategic proximity reached during the time of former President George W. Bush now lacks its previous ardor. Nevertheless, in both countries' interest new dimensions should be added to this relationship and fresh enthusiasm created.

Strong and Wiser Step Needed
On the pretext of the nuclear deal, exchange of technology between the countries will definitely increase. The United States must remove numerous restrictions India has still to face in receiving sophisticated technology. A forceful request has also been made in this regard.

An effort to strengthen relations with the United States does not by any means imply that India will be totally dependent on it. There is no harm in receiving cooperation from other friends and old ones if the United States is unable to extend it. Our foreign policy will be stronger and wiser through such a step.

Pakistan's Negative Attitude in Fresh Talks With India

The beginning of secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan is a positive development, but not getting any concrete result out of it, as usual, is a negative aspect. The Pakistani delegation must have known well about India's complaints, but even then it did not come to India for talks with any positive message from its side. Our delegation headed by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao deserves to be commended that it sat down for talks with full preparations. Not just one but three dossiers were handed over to Pakistan.

Terror Issue
The first dossier was about the Mumbai terror attack, while the second one was about the threat by terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri, and the third one about absconding Indian criminals hiding in Pakistan. We can be reassured that the post of Indian foreign secretary is being held by a skilled woman diplomat. She rightly raised the Pune explosion issue before the Pakistani delegation. While there was a lot with Indian delegation to give and say to the Pakistani delegation, it seemed as if the Pakistani delegation had come here to "pass time".
To irritate Indians, Pakistan again sang the Kashmir tune. Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir went to the extent of repeating that India had a hand behind terrorism in Baluchistan. It is another matter though that they did not have any proof to substantiate the same.

Impact of Pune Explosion
After the death of 15 persons in the Pune explosion, India could have refused to talk, but still it favored talks. These talks were proof of India's goodwill. Yes, the Pune explosion did have an impact in the sense that the entire dialogue was converted into brief talks.

The main issue and regrettable fact is that Pakistan is not doing anything in the direction of stopping terrorism directed against India. When Nirupama Rao must have said that both countries would keep in touch in the future, Salman Bashir obviously must have been very pleased because for Pakistan, the show of talks is more important. After returning to Pakistan, Bashir would, perhaps, publicize that India is compelled to talk and there would be talks in the future.

Maintaining Positive Attitude
It should be noted here that the Indian Government had decided to hold talks again with Pakistan with a positive attitude, but this positive attitude could be maintained only if we continue to exert adequate pressure on Pakistan. Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack, is openly holding rallies in Pakistan and issuing threats against India, but the Pakistani Government cannot see this truth.
The Indian delegation has done the right thing by also raising this issue during the talks. India would have to reply to Pakistan's pack of lies by always speaking the truth. Some day, it would be ashamed. Some day it would improve. We must continue to talk with this hope.