THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Ramesh Chander
The writer is A Retired Career Diplomat.
Diplomacy is a process of interaction between nations often involving negotiations and agreements, resorted to achieve political and foreign policy goals of the country. It’s closely linked to politics, as diplomatic actions are frequently guided by broader political objectives and can also shape political outcomes. While diplomacy is a tool within the larger realm of politics, in simple words, it can be put like this –
Interdependence: Diplomacy and politics are intertwined, with each influencing the other.
My immediate pretext to write something on the subject is the ongoing controversy and fist-fighting between the opposition parties of India led by Rahul Gandhi of the Congress Party and the BJP and its government at the Centre about the role of EAM S. Jaishankar in executing the Operation Sindoor, undertaken to control and neutralize cross border terrorism.
It is a sensitive subject and any opinion on it must be weighed well before it is made public. Unfortunately, this fine line or Lakshman Rekha is increasingly being crossed by the politicians and opinion makers including the media. India that is Bharat is a democratic country of standing. It is gratifying to note that, like any civilized and strong country, there is a national consensus on the matters of interest and concern to the country as a whole particularly with regard to the foreign policy responses to safe-guard the sovereignty and integrity of the country. This national consensus was visible with regard to the Operation Sindoor too, prima facie. But it was a short lived situation and things were back to the square one.
It seems, to my mind, political mistrust and slugfest for brownie points, is increasingly creeping in our polity which is not a healthy attribute of a good democratic set up. It must be understood that foreign policy of a country is nothing but an extended hand of internal policy and standing of the country concerned. The opposition parties have the right to question and criticize the government. The government is required to be answerable and responsible in a prudent manner as possible and feasible to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the country. The exercise is complete – the opposition led by the LOP, Rahul Gandhi has done its job and the government has explained the matter openly and publicly.
Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri refuted the assertions of the opposition that EAM Jaishankar had alerted Pakistan in advance before the Indian armed attack on terror infrastructures and facilities on May 7. Foreign Secretary Misri clarified that the DGMO had informed, the action taken, to his Pakistani counterpart after the attack on the dens of terror inside Pakistan and POK. The Ministry of External Affairs on May 17 rejected Rahul Gandhi’s accusations against EAM Jaishankar claiming that he had informed Pakistan ahead of Operation Sindoor, calling it a “misrepresentation of facts”.
Diplomacy and Politics are the two sides of the same coin. One needs to have a sense of discretion in understanding diplomatic issues. I think, in the given situation, it is only prudent to accept the explanation given by the MEA at its face value. Only time will see and ascertain the voracity of the happenings, in due course. Our foreign policy machinery is manned by competent and intelligent people. EAM S. Jaishankar is a consummate diplomat himself and is a man of integrity, apart from his appreciable innings in politics. He knows his job well and knows what he is talking about. In these days, it is not possible to hide things for long. Truth would come out in due course. There is no conflict between politics and diplomacy.
Chinese intellectual, Sun Tzu said, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” Perhaps India taking a que from this has paused the conflict with Pakistan after neutralizing terror machine of Pakistan. The GOI, headed by PM Narendra Modi and fully supported by the opposition in a strong and vibrant democracy, has firm and unwavering political will to face the challenges to its sovereignty and integrity. Strong and trained armed forces of India, fully competent to teach lessons to the enemy, stood behind the political leadership and the people of Bharat. As a practitioner of diplomacy, I conclude this piece with a quote from George F. Kennon, “You have no idea how much it contributes to the general politeness and pleasantness of diplomacy when you have a little quiet armed force in the background” But at the same time, we should not be oblivious of the ground reality asserted by Theodore Roosevelt, “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” As usual I take this opportunity to caution and warn our political and diplomatic leaderships with an Urdu couplet –
Chupa Kar Asteen Mein Bijliyan Rakhi Hain Gardoon
Anadil Bagh Ke Ghafil Na Baithen Ashiyon Mein
The sky has kept thunderbolts concealed up its sleeve
Garden’s nightingales should not slumber in their nests
