History will one day judge us, what side will India stand on?
नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य न चायुक्तस्य भावना | न चाभावयत: शान्तिरशान्तस्य कुत: सुखम् ||
nāsti buddhir-ayuktasya na chāyuktasya bhāvanāna chābhāvayataḥ śhāntir aśhāntasya kutaḥ sukham
An undisciplined person, who has not controlled the mind and senses, can neither have a resolute intellect nor steady contemplation on God. For one who never unites the mind with God there is no peace; and how can one who lacks peace be happy?
27th February 2022
F.A.O.: Ambassador of India to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, 69 Merrion Rd,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin-4,
Co. Dublin,
D04 ER85
Dear Sir,
RE: In the UN Security Council meeting on #Ukraine dated 25th February 2022, India abstained from the vote on the draft resolution.
I write further to India's explanation to abstain from voting at Friday's UN security council from denouncing Russia's actions against a sovereign nation, Ukraine.
I wholeheartedly understand the historic relationship that has been very carefully crafted and forged over the years with the Soviet Union and later, Russia. I bring to your attention that in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, India found itself in a precarious condition due to an intolerable refugee influx. The United States, the United Kingdom, and China all sided with Pakistan in the forthcoming conflict. India's only option was to enlist the Soviet Union's countervailing power.
It is generally known that when the Americans and British launched their fleets into the Bay of Bengal (task forces 74 and Eagle, respectively), they encountered the Soviet navy and Under Admiral V Kruglyakov, the Soviet navy purposefully allowed its nuclear submarines to surface, allowing them to be detected by American satellites and posing a danger to the American surface fleet.
Faced with these dual dangers, US and British task forces withdrew from the Bay of Bengal, preventing them from interfering with Indian ground operations in what is now Bangladesh.
Thus, the Indo-Soviet pact may very well be argued to have played a significant part in the December 1971 victory. Indira Gandhi played her diplomatic cards well and won the support of the majority of NATO members; she was referred to as b***h at the time by President Nixon, who had himself abandoned the gold standard and enabled free-floating currencies.
But now, Russia has reclaimed the world stage with soldiers marching into Ukraine, a war with no end in sight, volatile oil prices and financial markets. The whole thing is based on a global power shift, with the US becoming less of a threat and China becoming more of a friend. India has done everything it can to not get sucked in. This is how it has worked: However, it can't ignore the truth.
Yes, Sir, Ukraine is fighting to defend its sovereignty. I bring to your attention:
Article 1 UDHR. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of humanity.
Article 28 UDHR. Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
While Russia does equip India, it also arms China and hosts military exercises with Pakistan; so, it is critical that we rethink our attitude and this relationship. I am not advocating for reliance on the West, since their efforts in Afghanistan and Ukraine have been mostly unproductive, but the moment has come for the world's largest democracy to recognise itself and seize the spotlight as the next global superpower.
Bharat (India) is a land of Maryada Purushottam, Shri Ram (represents authority) as well as the mischievous, Maakhan Chor, Shri Krishna (representing integrity).
I now write in terms of the years I've lived and the capacity to comprehend what I've seen. India developed strong ties with the West under previous Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and these ties have been further enhanced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. With a thriving high-tech industry and excellent educational institutions, India has the potential to become a powerhouse via fast digitalisation.
As the highest-ranking diplomat representing the Republic of India, I only like to draw your mind to the matter that individuals of Indian descent are dominating the Informations Technology, Medical & Engineering sectors in the West, that we participate in democracies all over the globe, and that this is the future of Bharat, Aham Brahman Asmi.
I thank you for your time and urge with clasped hands to kindly consider the above representations.
Nyaay Satya Hai - Satyamev Jayate - Nyaay Dharma Hai
Justice is Truth - Truth alone Triumphs - Justice is Duty
Yours sincerely,
Shashank R. Chakerwarti
A poet & a warrior, an Earthian (Resident of Planet Earth).