Mid-East War: India’s silences & action inexplicable; they diminish us; this isn’t Satyameva Jayate

3 months ago 71

US-Israel-Iran war: India's silences and action inexplicable; they diminish us; this is not Satyameva Jayate: former NSA and former Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon, to Karan Thapar for The Wire. ......................................... In strong and outspoken criticism of the government’s refusal and failure to criticize the US-Israel strikes on Iran and the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, India’s former National Security Advisor and former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon has said it is “inexplicable” and “sad”. He says this will not impress India’s BRICS partners and it “diminishes” the country’s reputation. In an interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire Mr. Menon, who has also served as a former Ambassador to Israel and China and former High Commissioner to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, said: “I find our silences and our action quite inexplicable. Frankly. I mean not to have anything to say when a Head of State of a state you recognize and in your neighbourhood is assassinated by another country. By not signing the condolence book for five days and then sending the Foreign Secretary, not the Foreign Minister, not the Prime Minister. And to stay absolutely silent on the issues. Not to condemn the attack. And this is unfortunately part of a pattern. Not willing to call the Russian invasion of Ukraine an invasion. You are not willing to vote when Palestinians are being slaughtered in Gaza and on the West Bank. You abstain on voting at the UN. I find this very strange. And rather sad that a country like India with its traditions should end up absolutely mum.” Asked specifically how India’s silence will be regarded by other founding members of BRICS, who will be gathering in India later this year for their summit, Mr. Menon said: “Not very well. Not at all. They will find it hard to explain why we are silent on this issue. After all, your moto on your national emblem is Satyameva Jayate and yet you are not willing to accept this truth. And have done so now for several years on all the issues that matter. They will find this inexplicable and it diminishes your reputation and your image in the world and it also diminishes your effectiveness in the world.” In the interview, Mr. Menon agreed with a comment made yesterday by Gideon Rachman, the Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator of The Financial Times, that Operation Epic Fury could be in danger of transforming into Operation Epic Failure. He said President Trump’s statements change almost every time he speaks. Mr. Menon said it’s hard to believe this is deliberate obfuscation. It feels much more like confusion. Mr. Menon said he believed President Trump will make an effort to take out the new Iranian supreme leader by kinetic action. He also believes that domestic pressure within the United States, as the oil price begins rising, could affect and temper President Trump’s enthusiasm for the war. I will stop there. There’s a lot in this interview that will give you reason to think and ponder. Mr. Menon has spoken at length both about the war and, after that, about India’s response. This is an interview you definitely should see. Join The Wire's Youtube Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWtJey46brNr7qHQpN6KLQ/join

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