Persian puzzles

Right ahead of a clincher meeting with the Left on the nuclear deal, the government is using every possible opportunity to demonstrate its 8220;independent8221; foreign policy, most recently snubbing the United States for advice on bilateral ties with Iran. But it seems unnecessary to cloud the issue in sentimental waffling about our hoary civilisational ties, and muddle a clearly defined matter by casting it as an act of defiance against the US. Iran is an NPT signatory, and its nuclear ambitions clearly violate the rules.

The relationship between Iran and India had curdled after India twice supported the International Atomic Energy Agency vote that hauled up Iran for not complying with its international nuclear obligations. What8217;s more, the government8217;s Left allies had bristled at the way the US was seen to be roughly commandeering our equation with a traditional ally like Iran. But this week8217;s sudden turnaround serves no purpose except to temporarily placate the UPA8217;s Left partners. As our columnist points out, India8217;s image in the world is bound to take a knock with these kinds of whimsical statements. Instead of having a cogent, responsible foreign policy commensurate with India8217;s role as an emerging power, we tend to contort ourselves into all kinds of postures depending on which political bloc exerts most pressure. Our foreign policy is like a feather for every wind that blows.

Remember that even China and Russia, who are more closely aligned with Iran for material benefits, have, as part of the Security Council, supported sanctions against Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment. Also, it bears recollection that New Delhi has consistently leaned on Washington to hold Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to his word that he would disallow cross-border terrorism. India must remember that this sudden display of 8220;independence8221; will not be construed as freethinking foreign policy but a sign of unreliability. But if these statements are enough to placate the Left, then at least the government can savour the collateral benefit.