Srinath Raghavan

Apr 26, 2010
RAGHAVAN.JPG

Srinath Raghavan

Diplomatic gulf

As the crisis in Libya rages on, tensions in other parts of West Asia threaten to boil over. Bahrain, Yemen and Syria are in the throes of upheaval influenced by the peoples’ uprisings in North Africa and the Western intervention in Libya. The latter, in particular, has vigorously stirred the pot. Ironically, it has emboldened both the allies and the adversaries of the United States. But for the ongoing military intervention in Libya, we would neither have seen Saudi Arabian troops in Bahrain nor increasing Iranian involvement in support of the Syrian government.

J&K: Reverse swing

New Delhi’s interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are back in the news. Last week, there were some media reports that they had recommended the restoration of pre-1953 status for the state. In the wake of these reports, there was uproar in the state legislative assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies staged a walkout, branding the reported recommendation as “anti-India” and demanding that the central government reject it out of hand. As of this writing, it is not clear if the interlocutors have indeed made such a recommendation.

To meddle or not

International crises have a knack of breaking out in places that are thought to be of marginal concern. The ongoing crisis in Libya is no exception. In the past few years, Libya was seen as shedding its pariah status and entering the mainstream of international politics. Both George W. Bush and Tony Blair cited Libya as a success story: a “rogue” state that had come in from the cold. A careful balance of threats and inducements had apparently convinced Col. Muammar Gaddafi to forsake both terrorism and the pursuit of nuclear weapons.

In defence of graft

The court martial of Lt. Gen. P.K. Rath in connection with the Sukna land scam is a welcome move by the Army to set its house in order.

Think Nepal, not Mao

As India settles into its seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), it can look forward to a busy year ahead. Among the many vexatious issues on the agenda is the impending closure of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). Established in January 2007, UNMIN was tasked with facilitating the disarmament process

Insure Project Kabul

As the curtains fall on 2010, our foreign policy establishment can look back with some satisfaction.

Pause, ponder, smile

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India provides a much-needed opportunity for both sides to take stock of bilateral ties.

Tinker Bell in Kabul

Political reconciliation in Afghanistan is turning into something of a joke.

Think janata, not junta

The release of Aung San Suu Kyi comes at an important juncture in India’s relations with Burma. During the visit of General Than Shwe — leader of the junta and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council — to India earlier this year, the two sides concluded a raft of economic and security deals and agreements. The

Foreign assignment

India’s election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member is rightly seen as an opportunity to stake claim for permanent membership.

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