DR. SAWRAJ SINGH
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s just concluded tripof Russia and China shows that there isidentity of fundamental interests of thepeople of the three countries. Russia andChina have clearly realized and acceptedthis fact.However, India is still wavering. Ithas not quite accepted the obvious, eventhough reality keeps asserting itself. TheIndian media still has not given up its prowesterntilt.Before the trip started, Indian media cautionedabout expecting too much from thetrip. However, the trip proved to be a bigsuccess.With Russia, India is on its way torevive its traditional friendship. There isalso an understanding with China that inspite of our differences, we still need eachother.As for testing our great friendship withAmerica, two interesting things happenedduring this time. First, Pakistan gave astatement that it would like America tointervene by resolving the Kashmir issue.India quickly replied that it cannot acceptany third party in the resolution of thisissue and the two sides have to work it outbilaterally. India knows very well that it wasAmerica and the western countries whichsupported anti-India resolutions onKashmir in the United Nations, and it wasonly the Russian veto which preventedthese resolutions from passing.The second thing was a recent revelationabout how much Nixon and Kissingerhated India. However, this hatred for Indiawas not limited to these two leaders; theyonly represented the sentiments of manyAmericans who never liked India’s nonalignmentpolicy and friendship withRussia.It was no accident that finally India sidedwith Russia and China on the issue ofSyria. India clearly came out on the side ofnon-intervention of outside powers tooust Assad as they did in Libya and Iraq tooust Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein. Indiarealized that the time had come to say noto America and the West. India could completelylose its nonalignment credentials.There are certain facts which India has toaccept. The division of India and the creationof Pakistan were done by the West toprevent India from becoming a big powerand a potential rival and adversary. Nomatter how many tall claims are made byAmerica and the West about India beingtheir friend, the fact remains that they stilldistrust India and still see it as a potentialrival and adversary.America and the West’sprincipal interest in Indiais mostly limited to see itas a counterweight toChina and to be includedin a China containmentpolicy. However, recenthappenings show thatAmerica may be backingout of that containmentpolicy and instead maymove to China engagementpolicy. Such a policyshift can further reduceIndia’s importance for America and theWest.India’s integration with the East, Russiaand China continues to grow. China hasbecome India’s largest trading partner.Russia remains the largest supplier ofweapons to India. This situation is unlikelyto change in the near future. India has tostop wavering and become clear and firmon the point that India, Russia and Chinahave the identity of fundamental interests.All three want a more equal, fair and justworld order.To achieve that, they have to work togetherin spite of their differences. Russia andChina have realized this. India has to stopwavering and should clearly identify itsfundamental interests.Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is theChairman of the Washington State Network forHuman Rights and Chairman of the CentralWashington Coalition for Social Justice. He can bereached at [email protected].
