Tags:
Journalism of Courage
UPA govts talks with Bangladesh cannot be dictated by compulsions of the Congress party
When India receives Dipu Moni,the foreign minister of Bangladesh,this week,the diplomatic ball will be in New Delhis court. And if the UPA government does not act decisively,it will inflict lasting damage to one of Indias most important bilateral relationships. Reviving Delhis political credibility in Dhaka could take decades if the PM allows the narrow political calculations of the Congress party to trump consideration of Indias national interests.
Banerjee deserves much blame for wrecking one of Indias most consequential foreign policy initiatives; but not all. Last September,Singh had the option of signing the Teesta waters treaty,disprove Banerjees false arguments,and explain the larger stakes in improving relations with Bangladesh to the people of India,including those in West Bengal and the north-eastern states. Instead,Singh pulled back,citing Indias federalism and coalition politics. By law,Delhi has absolute monopoly over the conduct of foreign policy and the negotiation of treaties,including those on sharing waters that flow across the borders. What it lacks today is the courage of conviction and the political will to lead. Signing the Teesta accord and defending Indias national interests vis-a-vis Dhaka might improve the Congresss leverage with Banerjee a lot more than Delhis unending appeasement of Kolkata.
