Hallelujah! Let's celebrate the Vajpayee government's decision not to send troops to Iraq and permanently scar our image in the comity of nations. In fact, months of procrastination over the issue shows how vulnerable or even gullible our foreign policy mandarins are and that in itself is a cause for concern.

Like rest of the international community, India had taken a principled stand that the US-UK war on Iraq was a "naked aggression". The war on a sovereign country on the flimsiest of grounds and there was absolutely no justification for it except the American desire to exhibit its might in a unipolar world. The post-war revelations that the Bush and Blair administrations resorted to blatant lies about Weapons of Mass Destruction and Saddam Hussein's alleged nuclear programme to justify their actions, should have convinced us to stay away from the "evil empire".

And yet, some of our policy makers were so enamoured of the way the American war machine crushed the Saddam Hussein regime and were so eager to cozy up with a bully for some unforeseen benefits that they were ready to compromise the nation's sovereignty, dignity, democratic principles and all that India has stood for over the centuries.

Historically, India has a proud record of not colonising any other country and in fact, not waging a war against any one, except when aggressed. But, here is a modern coloniser, masquerading as an upholder of democracies all over the world, but whose real intent is to loot the oil wealth. With open eyes, we were ready to act as its handmaiden, nay scavenger, to clean up the mess it has created, so that all obstructions to looting is removed.

Interestingly, America zeroed in on India for seeking troops to do its bidding in Iraq and not on its "natural allies" in Europe with whom it has a long defense tie-up, even spending billions of Dollars for their defense. Not on a host of Middle East and Far East countries whose security is guaranteed by the Americans. Not China or Japan whose economies depend so much on the American market. It is evident that America knew that none of them would even consider the request despite the "obligations" they are supposed to have. Then, is India seen as a docile, meek country ready to be manipulated?

It is amazing how Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, considered a strong nationalist, was almost convinced by the Americans during his 12-day tour of the United States that it would be in India's interest to send troops to Iraq. Advani was feted by the Bush administration with a lot of sweet talk and he was bowled over by the gesture shown by Secretary of State Collin Powell calling on him at the hotel where he was staying. Later, National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra was accorded similar reception with President Bush "dropping in" at a meeting with Mishra's counterpart, Condoleeza Rice and praising India's role in world affairs.

Pray, what did the Americans offer in return for risking our troops and spending our own money to police a highly volatile and unstable Iraq? To take its war on terrorism into the hub of terrorist activities, which is bleeding India for over a decade? A firm assurance to rein in a nuclear trigger happy Pervez Musharraf? A commitment to extract from Pakistan's belly 30 most wanted terrorists that India has been seeking for a long time? To carry forward its professed desire to take away the real Weapons of Mass Destruction from the hands of a rogue state? To offer India – which represents one-sixth of the humanity – a permanent seat in the Security Council?

Going by the statements of both Indian and American leaders, there were absolutely no specific assurances. In fact, to add insult to injury, Pervez Musharraf who toured the US immediately after Advani, was given a royal treatment by the Bush administration and Pakistan was presented with a "purse" of $ 3 billion for all the services Islamabad has rendered to protect the American interests.

The argument trotted out in favour of sending troops to Iraq was that by doing so India will get a place at the "high table" and possibly, obtain a share in the reconstruction of a battered country. Even a menial servant will surely be allowed to the high table to serve the food, carry the leftovers and scrub the table. So far as reconstruction is concerned, India can do so honourably if invited by an Iraqi administration and not as part of a pack of vultures descending on a hapless nation.

By refusing to toe the American line, we will escape the odium of being collaborators with neo-colonisers and spare our troops from becoming targets of hatred by the local population. More importantly, we will earn the goodwill of all the Muslim nations, especially in the Gulf region where millions of our people are earning a living and contributing significantly to our national exchequer. On the international plane, of course, India's esteem would go up, befitting a country of our size.

But will the Americans take offence and think of "punishing" India in some way or other? Who cares? Did we not boldly face a more serious crisis when they imposed sanctions and got all their allies to take similar action? Fortunately, the Americans have not yet claimed patent over "national interest" and we are allowed to invoke that sacred phrase, which the Vajpayee government has mercifully done.

(Vijay Times)