The Jas-Yash switch

Every change in ministerial posts brings with it many inevitable questions. Which way would India8217;s foreign policy head with Yashwant S...

Every change in ministerial posts brings with it many inevitable questions. Which way would India8217;s foreign policy head with Yashwant Sinha at its helm is one that would naturally excite curiosity, not just in India but in the capitals of the world. We in this country tend to personalise most issues and there is, therefore, the tendency to see our foreign policy in terms of personalities, whether they be Nehru, Indira, Rajiv, Gujral or Jaswant Singh. The truth, however, is that it remains the country8217;s foreign policy, although it may carry the imprint of the person who had helped shape it. Jaswant Singh8217;s tenure will, no doubt, go down as one of the most successful ones, where a complete turnaround in relations with the greater powers was achieved in a very short time.

Foreign policy, in essence, is all about protecting, sustaining and furthering national interests. And these can be broadly categorised as economic and/or security interests which could well present contradictory choices at times. But it is extremely important that a binding synergy is maintained between them at all times. The high point of this synergy in recent years came during the Kargil war three years ago; and now once again in the war-like situation after December 13, where the threat and use of military force was strongly meshed into diplomacy to achieve political goals. But while things have been managed well in actual events, institutionally we have not moved toward managing these various strands effectively and knitting them into a whole. For example, the section in the external affairs ministry dealing with international and national security affairs is both grossly understaffed and over-worked.

After Monday8217;s reshuffle all eyes will now be on Yashwant Sinha, the man who will now occupy Jaswant Singh8217;s chair in South Block. He comes in at a time when India8217;s relations with almost all nations, with the exception of Pakistan, are on an even keel. Certainly it would be a mistake to regard him a novice in the world of diplomacy, having handled complex economic issues in the international arena. He is obviously conversant with our economic interests and must have attended more cabinet meetings dealing with security and foreign policy issues than any other finance minister in the past. In any case, we must remember that we are not living in medieval times. A modern nation-state must of necessity rely on an extensive institutional system to carry out the complex tasks of foreign policy. The new minister would have the complete institution of the external affairs ministry at his disposal; and it is to be hoped that he will respect the professional advice given to him. Foreign policy is far too important to be left to the individual preferences and proclivities of ministers.