My 10th standard History teacher was teaching about world history ( something that happened 6-7 years back). NAM(Non Alignment Movement) came up. NAM countries , founded by Nehru of India, Sukarno of Indonesia and Tito of Yugoslavia(mainly), are countries which during the cold war period did not support either the USA or Russia. This does not tell us about the entire working of NAM but a part of the motivation of NAM was to have a set of countries which were independent of USA and erstwhile USSR. After saying this, he added. I will tell you a secreat, do not tell any one. Even though India was a NAM country it secretly supported USSR and some other country supported the US(not quite sure which country it was ). I mentioned this to stress upon the relationship between India and USSR.
India and Russia/USSR were virtually allies since India's independence. USSR provided us with technology and other military equipments and a moral support in all international matters. On our part we provided them with food. Russia is a country with which India has had an excellent relationship with. Russia has always supported every international endeavor of India. We used to buy military equipments from them. One thing which any sensible person will tell you is that, never leave a friend for another friend nor never pay less attention to an old and faithful friend when you get a new friend. Russia is our old friend. We should not try and improve our relations with US at the cost of Russia. Even though Russia is currently not as big a supper power as it used to be, Russia still has a big say in the world. If not anything its ethically not right on our part to ditch an old and faithful alley of ours for a new one.
The recent pro US statements by various Indian officials can be considered equivalent to backstabbing. Bilateral relationship with Russia is at an all time low. We have been neglecting Russia for a getting a better deal with the US. Its not just Russia that we have neglected. We have always had a good relationship with Iran and Iraq. Unfortunately because of our fascination with the US those relationships are also getting weak. India is trying to achieve an impossible balancing act. India wants to have good relation ship with all the countries. India is trying to take political diplomacy to an all new level.
From personal experience and various global events, its next to impossible to be a friend to all. 999 times out of 1000 if you try to have such a balancing act the result is going to be that most countries would think that India has a weak foreign policy and its only aim is to prosper using other countries. India should have a strong foreign policy. It should not change according to India's needs. Either India should go with the US, and when i say go with the US it should have a similar relation with the US as NATO or she should have a neutral relation with the US at the same time re kindling its old ties with Russia and various other countries. Its quite hard to have an ally like relationship with both the USA and Russia.
I agree that USA is a great country. Its the current super power. The reservation I have with having a close relationship with the US is that it will be like a traditional Indian marriage, with India being the bride and the US the groom. India will be forced to dance to the tune of the US. That's the impression that I get when i look at the present situation between the US and its various allies. US is a super power and it will do everything it can to ensure that it retains the title for as long as possible. Hence we should be really cautious when we go in for strengthening ties with the US even though it might be the need of the hour.
Strengthening ties with other countries is far less risky. The whole situation is like making an IPL team. Should you spend large and go for the big guns or should you be selective and chose utility players. Its a very tricky situation and is one which needs a lot of thought. The only thing i have to say that we have to ensure that we do not do anything to upset out old friends at the same time should make sure that India does not lag behind when compared to other countries in the world.
India and Russia/USSR were virtually allies since India's independence. USSR provided us with technology and other military equipments and a moral support in all international matters. On our part we provided them with food. Russia is a country with which India has had an excellent relationship with. Russia has always supported every international endeavor of India. We used to buy military equipments from them. One thing which any sensible person will tell you is that, never leave a friend for another friend nor never pay less attention to an old and faithful friend when you get a new friend. Russia is our old friend. We should not try and improve our relations with US at the cost of Russia. Even though Russia is currently not as big a supper power as it used to be, Russia still has a big say in the world. If not anything its ethically not right on our part to ditch an old and faithful alley of ours for a new one.
The recent pro US statements by various Indian officials can be considered equivalent to backstabbing. Bilateral relationship with Russia is at an all time low. We have been neglecting Russia for a getting a better deal with the US. Its not just Russia that we have neglected. We have always had a good relationship with Iran and Iraq. Unfortunately because of our fascination with the US those relationships are also getting weak. India is trying to achieve an impossible balancing act. India wants to have good relation ship with all the countries. India is trying to take political diplomacy to an all new level.
From personal experience and various global events, its next to impossible to be a friend to all. 999 times out of 1000 if you try to have such a balancing act the result is going to be that most countries would think that India has a weak foreign policy and its only aim is to prosper using other countries. India should have a strong foreign policy. It should not change according to India's needs. Either India should go with the US, and when i say go with the US it should have a similar relation with the US as NATO or she should have a neutral relation with the US at the same time re kindling its old ties with Russia and various other countries. Its quite hard to have an ally like relationship with both the USA and Russia.
I agree that USA is a great country. Its the current super power. The reservation I have with having a close relationship with the US is that it will be like a traditional Indian marriage, with India being the bride and the US the groom. India will be forced to dance to the tune of the US. That's the impression that I get when i look at the present situation between the US and its various allies. US is a super power and it will do everything it can to ensure that it retains the title for as long as possible. Hence we should be really cautious when we go in for strengthening ties with the US even though it might be the need of the hour.
Strengthening ties with other countries is far less risky. The whole situation is like making an IPL team. Should you spend large and go for the big guns or should you be selective and chose utility players. Its a very tricky situation and is one which needs a lot of thought. The only thing i have to say that we have to ensure that we do not do anything to upset out old friends at the same time should make sure that India does not lag behind when compared to other countries in the world.
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