HVK Archives: The deplomatic fiasco over CTBT
The deplomatic fiasco over CTBT - The Pioneer
Pushpesh Pant
()
16 September 1996
Title : The diplomatic fiasco over CTBT
Author : Pushpesh Pant
Publication : The Pioneer
Date : September 16, 1996
Never was so much woed by so many for so little. The
battle for the CTBT evokes for many of us today not the
images of glorious pilots doggedly spitting fire in the
sky in defence of the motherland but prompts more apt
comparisons with a different war theatre associated with
good old Napoleon. Geneva or New York, a Waterloo
remains
a Waterloo. Spontaneous and orchestrated accolades for
the hard working permanent representatives and the Indian
Foreign Minister notwithstanding.
The ecstatic optimism of our septuagenarian Foreign
Minister seems intended to be infectious. What else
explains the tone of 'Never Ever' recklessly jettisoning
age old diplomatic wisdom? The euphoria is not easy to
share but let us not grudge him his moment of personal
glory. What does it matter if the Trotsky look alike has
been tilting swords quixotically at nuclear windmills,
isn't he the only articulate and stylish minister in this
lacklustre Government? Well, Chidambaram may, on his
good
day, offer some competition but the yardsticks for those
participating in the veteran's Olympics always have to be
different.
Gujral Sahib has himself been gracious enough to concede
that "There have been no pressures on India." Pray tell
us, what then, is the hoop la about? Who has succeeded
in standing up to what big bully? The Indian Foreign
Minister's candour is indeed, as usual, disarming. He
added that ... "If there are any (pressures) in future 1
am confident that this country has the national will to
withstand such pressures." The flesh may be weak but the
spirit is always willing. It has to be when the flesh is
the Indian politician's or the soft Indian State's.
In truly masterful manner Gujral has shifted the focus
from national security concerns, or even old fashioned
national interests to the realm of 'national will'. A
slight effort can now translate this into wishful nation-
alism. Who can then dare challenge the 'national consen-
sus' on this matter of strategic concern? Breathes there
a man with soul so dead who never to himself bath said
etc a la Walter Scott. Once the honour of the historic
nation is involved, who will have the courage to point
out that indeed there is no consensus on this issue. The
voice of dissent has been for a change articulated sharp-
ly. Praful Bidwai and Achin Vanaik to name just two
distinguished participants in the debate have quite
convincingly disputed the contentions of the patriotic
partisans.
History has shown, Gujral has pointed out, that 970
million strong Indian nation could never be pressured.
Such history, one may suggest is the, first resort of
the intellectually idle. Who needs the expense and
trouble of pressure when the leadership intoxicated with
the brew of misread past can concede or yield whatever
others covet on its own without any awareness of the
loss. Striking a melodramatic pose and chanting heroi-
cally- "The boy stood on the burning deck whence all but
he had fled" is a whole time occupation. Ours not to
question why.
Gujral's sophistication is not confined to the elegant
word play about national will. Other interesting diver-
sions have been provided to pepper the future debate. He
has expressed the hope about the NAM that the
movement
would revive itself for Indian stance has been in con-
sonance with NAM resolutions. is supposed to revive due
to our stand on CTBT.
The vote at the UN General Assembly has made it impossi-
ble to sustain the illusion of brilliance of Indian di-
plomacy. No one after all can be crowned the world
heavyweight champion if the sport he specialises in is
shadow boxing. What would we have done if the noble
Bhutanese had forsaken us in this hour of need? Although
one is reasonably confident that the gray eminence would
have executed some breath taking contortions to justify
the natural coupling with Islamic revolutionary Libya --
slightly irresponsible and most irrepressible at all
times. We may be forgiven for harbouring the thought
that Gujral saab may one day in near future replace the
man in the Motorola ad, Michael something or the other
whose daily work is Mission Impossible.
The official Indian analysis of the -UN- voting has left
those uninitiated in the arcane art of diplomacy totally
speechless. Milton had only mentioned "They also serve
who stand and wait".
How times have changed, the Indian Foreign Minister would
have us believe that those who have voted against our
stand are also for us! After,all what he has done is to
do exactly what the great Gurudev had exhorted -- Jodi
tor daak shune keu na aashey, taube ekla chalo re.. (When
none harkens to your call march on regardless.) Doesn't
the refrain ekla chalo thrice? Why should we show impa-
tience with the performance.
The hypocrisy in certifying this whole 'defiant' diplo-
matic exercise is astounding. Either we should have the
honesty to bluntly state that the effete, almost bank-
rupt, bureaucratically unwieldy UN is irrelevant in this
context, or have the courage to confront the bitter truth
that we find ourselves in not so wonderful isolation in
this un-Hindu divided family of nations. Three for,
hundred and fifty eight against. Go back waves bad said
cousin Canute with results which need no reminding.
I K Gujaral's presence in the Foreign Office often brings
back memories of the Nehruvian heritage in the conduct of
external affairs. He is a leftist intellectual of impec-
cable credentials and consistent record. The emphasis on
principles and ideology is understandable. However, it
should not be considered impertinent to point out that
international relations do not follow the time scale
useful or conventional in geology or even archaeology.
Diplomats, oven Indian diplomats and statesmen, cannot
afford the luxury of being burdened with fossils however
fascinating.
Maybe, like his mentor Gujral Sahib also cannot overcome
the urge -- what Subhash Bose so succinctly described --
to champion lost causes or plough the lonely furrow.
Unfortunately the antics of Mulayam, Mayawati or the
tantrums of peevish PV have so distressed the nation that
any relief Is welcome. In this climate of despair and
desperation the distractions of self destructive diploma-
cy can be dangerously projected as heroic national
achievements.
It is difficult to agree with Mr Gujral's assertion that
the discussion at the UN General Assembly has that there
is growing support for adopting a comprehensive, phased
and time-bound programme for nuclear disarmament or
that
the voting pattern or the debate point out that India's
perceptions were shared by many of the developing na-
tions. In the UN for whatever it is worth the vote is
what it matters. The commentator on current affairs at
the neighbourhood panshop should not be faulted for
lamenting the loss of patient's life in an otherwise
extremely successful operation.
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