Play it again, Sam

The abusive language used by President Richard Nixon and his National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger 8212; the references to Prime Minist...

The abusive language used by President Richard Nixon and his National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger 8212; the references to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a 8220;witch8221; and a 8220;bitch8221; and to Indians in general as 8220;bastards8221; 8212; on the eve of India8217;s liberation of Bangladesh do not come as a surprise for those familiar with that tragic presidency which had ended unceremoniously with the Watergate scandal. Nixon, drunk on power as well as alcohol, had nastier things to say about his political opponents as well as cabinet colleagues and close aides. India8217;s liberation of Bangladesh during December 1971, in the teeth of American opposition, looks even more satisfying today as we learn the discomfiture it caused Nixon and Kissinger.

The signing of the landmark Indo-US defence pact and the release of 1971 White House transcripts at about the same time highlight one of the great truisms of international relations. For states, there are no permanent friends or adversaries; they only have interests to pursue. India8217;s liberation of Bangladesh took place amidst a rejigging of Asian balance of power. Nixon and Kissinger were enlisting Communist China8217;s support in the containment of Soviet Russia. Pakistan was the conduit. As America, China, Pakistan ganged up, India moved into the Soviet orbit. Now as the US confronts a rapidly rising China and a failing Pakistan, New Delhi is a natural partner and the key to a stable balance of power in Asia. No one makes this argument better than Kissinger, the architect of the US tilt towards Pakistan in 1971 and the Sino-US entente.

Like Kissinger, India must move on. But the release of White House tapes should at least shame us into revising our archival policy that refuses to release any official documents for academic study or public use. The US this week has released on the internet the volume, 8216;Documents on South Asia 1969-728217;, and had8212; earlier this year 8212; published 8216;South Asia Crisis, 19718217;, which deals solely with the period March-December 1971. India has released no papers of substance since the time of independence. It is better to face up to history, as American democracy does, than sweep it under the carpet, which seems to be our preferred option. Alas!