INDIAN POLITICAL SCENE

Dr. R. Gangadhara Sastry

In recent times India very much appeared to be in the limelight at international level, for various reasons out of which the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the United States of America and the Russian President Vladmir Putin’s visit to India need to be necessarily ranked as the most significant events. The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the U.S. has in fact acquired unusual importance for reasons like:

• the importance given to the visit by Mr. Bill Clinton, the President of USA:
• America had always been soft towards Pakistan during the earlier decades (probably due to the Soviet presence in Afghanistan earlier) and now an unusual and apparently special interest has been shown by the US towards India due to its own problems from the Islamic fundamentalists groups:
• India would certainly benefit very much by getting closer to the US, in areas of defense, technology, trade and commerce etc., Particularly at this juncture of thoroughly jinxed relations with Pakistan:
• It would be of common benefit to India and US to work together in dealing with international terrorism, religious fundamentalism, illicit trade in drugs, weapons and proliferation of dangerous weapons and
• Both countries appeared to have taken cognizance of Taliban problem for necessary action to tackle it effectively through effective measures, besides an understanding on issues of Business relating to information technology etc.

The Indian Prime Minister’s visit though considered as a grand success by many, consisted mainly of his message to the American Congress, the Asia Society and his talk at the United Nations Millennium Summit. The Prime Minister has in fact, “struck a right diplomatic note by voicing India’s aspirations as emerging global player with credentials for a permanent scat in an expandable Security Council”. It is worth noting that he did not mince words while pointing to the American Nation which has been pressuring India to open a dialogue with Pakistan that, “Terrorism and dialogue do not go together”; The approach adopted by the Indian Prime Minister was commented upon as the best by a learned observer who said that the Vajpayee Administration is definitely right in seeking to bring Pakistan under heightened International pressure, so that, it might act with restraint in regard to India”. Pakistan’s policy being referred to as “cloak of jihad” or “a medieval religious extremism” around the idea of ‘terrorism”, by the Prime Minister has certainly made the expected impact on observers all over the world. Finally, by conveying to the Americans that India would certainly remain CTBT-friendly and would even participate in negotiations on a global facile materials cut-off-treaty:- the Prime Minister did a good job though India has to wait for some time to realize substantial benefits of either Clinton’s visit or Vajpayee’s visit to US. However, the P. M.’s comments at the Asia Society meeting about his “svayamsevak” philosophy has drawn flak in certain political circles.

Closely following on the heels of the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the US began the much awaited and highly significant visit of the Russian President, Vladmir Putin to India. By declaring to the Indian Nation that, “together we shall succeed - you can count on our support” - the Russian President extended to us the needed support in various areas of cooperation, especially defense and military. Visualizing, a common enemy in problems relating to Kashmir and Chechenya, both countries have given a call to the international community for imposition of sanctions against Taliban. While agreeing to appoint a Joint Working Group on Afghanistan with Russia. India has succeeded in entering into the biggest defense agreement ever made since independence.

The Indo-Russian relations are back on the most significant lines possible. It has led to speculation by many scholars about a possible Russo-Sino-Indian axis to emerge in the coming future as a counter to aspirations of any country for unilateral technology. Our relations with Saudi Arabia and the other Arab countries are cordial.

On the home front however, the NDA, has to put up with many problems that are likely to crop up in the coming days as a natural consequence of the internal coalitional complexities. For examples, the problems like increase of petroleum and natural gas prices followed by the pressures exerted by certain union cabinet ministers demanding roll back of the increased prices: the demand for imposition of President’s Rule in West Bengal: had a disturbing impact on the coalitional establishment in general and the polity in particular. On top of all this, the rift between the BJP and the RSS would not certainly be in the interests of the nation if not settled at the earliest. The call for Indianisation of the minorities and requesting them to join the Indian mainstream as given by the RSS cadre, requires to be handled with great care by the BJP establishment. Last but not the least, conviction and granting of jail-terms to the former Prime Minister and the Home Minister while granting pardon to many others involved in the JMM case evoked a mixed response across the country with regard to corruption at high places.

As a tail piece, it would not be out of place to note that, though the agitation against the increase of power, Petrol and gas charges in Andhra Pradesh appeared to have been a failure, it would be of immense value to the government if it realizes its mistakes in handling the situation and corrects itself through remedial measures open to it.

Finally, a word of appreciation with respect to the performance of Mrs. Karanam Malleswari who could win the only (bronze) medal at the Sydney olympics of the Millennium year. Though it filled the hearts of all Indians with happiness it is not encouraging at all on the part of a country with the largest population in the world. She became a role model to all sports persons.

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