NEW DELHI – Former National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra has accused the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government of pursuing policies of strategic ineptness.
Addressing participants at the annual Krishnaswamy Subrahmanyam Memorial Lecture, which was organised by the Global India Foundation here, Mishra it seemed as if India still does not have a place in the global order.
“We have two enemies, Pakistan and China, who want to keep us embroiled in South Asia so that we don’t look beyond,” Mishra said.
Commenting on Washington’s AFPAK policy, Mishra said: “We have the same problem like we have with China. Both the United States and China are giving weapens to Pakistan, which could be only used against India. As far as we are mired in South Asia, we will have a limited role to play in the global order.”
He described China and Pakistan as not being all weather friends, but miltary allies.
On the prevailing domestic situation, Mishra said: “Today, there is a sense among the middle class of non-governence. Nothing is being done. There is no movement forward. The nuclear deal with the United States is not going anywhere.”
Suggesting that India’s role in world depended on establishing a presence globally, on economic reforms development and national security, the former national security adviser said that one need only look to what was happening to Indians residing in Australia, or Sikhs living in Milan, Italy, to come to judgment on the government”s achievements.
“What is happening to Indians in Australia, or to Sikhs in Milan, Italy. What has happened to Sri Lanka. So much support was given to Sri Lanka when they were supppresing the LTTE, and now, they say it is none of your business. If we continue this way, nobody will bother about India,” Mishra warned.
“In Asia, China is making sure that it is the big player in any multilateral forum. It can be dealt with by only strengthening our defence (capability). Our procedures of procuring weapans are 19th century procedures. The UPA Government is carrying Bofors on its soldiers .It is worried only about personal integrity and not national security,” added Mishra.
Interestingly, the event was also attended by West Bengal Governor and former national security advisor M.K. Narayanan (2005-2010)
