The adhocism and politicization of foreign policy evident in the government’s current tenure is damaging for the long term interests of the country.
The roller coaster ride that our relations with the United States has been, is showing immediate correspondence with our flip flops in relations with china, Russia, Iran and now even Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The recent events are inexplicable in terms of diplomacy and foreign policy. First we had a vote against the US, on its Afghanistan policy in the Moscow Format and now immediately after that we have the Taliban foreign Minister visiting New Delhi to a red carpet reception.
India was one of the chief benefactor of the northern alliance government in Afghanistan. Ever since the fall of the communist propped najib regime, India had supported them diplomatically, financially and even militarily.
During their 2 decade rule after 9/11 India invested billions of dollars in military and civilian aid. In 2021 the Taliban defeated the northern alliance forces and captured Afghanistan.
Since then it has been a difficult relationship with the Taliban regime. The word has been used as a pejorative, and the hindutva forces use it as a slur against the Muslim minority.
Suddenly we see a shift in our position, with no explanation. Within a week’s time, we have elevated our ‘technical mission’ in Kabul to an embassy.
We have the foreign minister visiting with full official protocol, and being received by our foreign minister, without even having their ambassador in India.
During the Taliban takeover, we have enacted the CAA which explicitly mentions the atrocities on non Muslims in Afghanistan and provides for granting them Indian citizenship.
Suddenly they are our esteemed guests and throughout the visit, there has been no mention of any atrocities against women and religious minorities or violation of democracy.
Instead the government obliged by withdrawing all invitations to women journalists during the press conference. This is not respecting the sensibilities of a visiting guest, but abject abandonment of the constitutional values of the country.
No visiting dignitary can be allowed to act contrary to the principles of our constitution, international conventions and basic human rights. By doing so, the government has caused irreparable damage to the reputation of the country and also demonstrated its irreverence for the same.
It’s in this respect that, the fundamentalist forces share their ideologies. They are mirror images of each other.
