Losing Sri Lanka

When Rajiv Gandhi had sent Indian Peace Keeping Force to Sri Lanka, he would have never realised that it would result in attempts on his life on Indian soil.

Instead of drawing respect from local Sinhalese, it drew flak from both the sides - Sinhalese, who saw presence of foreign army on their soil as thread, and tamil ( both Indian and Sri Lankans).

But in 2009, when LTTE was being run over by SLA (Sri Lankan Army),  the expectations were being built that India should chip in to defend the Human Right Violations.

Since then Mahinda Rajapaksa has been treated untouchable by Indian politicians. As result, the president had no other option but to embrace China who has been massively investing in Sri Lanka.

Power projects, Highway projects, airport development, tourism ; SL - China relationship has gone to level of bilateral trade agreements.

The increasing presence of China in Sri Lanka is being seen as the lowest point Indo-Sri Lanka relationship -especially when China overtook India as the largest arm exporter to China.

Turmoil in Egypt

After the bloodbath in Cairo, Indian journalists started asking - Why India is silent on Egypt?
This was followed by a statement from MEA ( Ministry of external affairs) that asked Egyptian parties to shun down the violence.

Since the ousting of Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has been in turmoils. There are opinions that suggest in certain countries, autocratic rule is the only way. And Egypt turmoils just supports that theory. Probably that's why Nato, who went the pro-active way, to help anti-Gaddafi rebels , are now taking a backseat when it comes to Syria and even Egypt.

Role of India in the Middle East turmoil has so far been driven by its historic ties. Be it Iran or Iraq, India has taken the silent seat. The advantage of the neutral position is obviously on the cost of ignore human right violations. But in country where Human Rights is still in shaping up, it would be nothing but embarrassing ourselves, if we take side of the Egyptian Army or Muslim Brotherhood.

From India point of view, fundamentalism in any form i.e region or religion or race is grossly denounced.

When Morsi appointed a suspect linked to Luxor massacre ( around 60 tourist massacred in Luxor province in 1997), he sent out a message that his government is being run fundamentalists.

Similarly, the massacre in Egypt, which is being blamed on Hamas/Al Qaeda , is something which Egyptian Army should have avoided.

So it is in best interest in our citizens living in Egypt to maintain a neutral stance and follow the events closely.

India media should realise this and focus on accuracy of reports coming from Cairo.

Kosovo and Kashmir

The recent development in Kosovo has raised many concerns within the countries having a Kosovo-like situation. Today this 'Kosovo' issue is not confined just to Europe. There is a Kosovo in almost every country round the globe - right from India to even United Kingdom. The recent Kosovo issue has once again shown the world that if you are not directly ruled by us as in the Imperial age , we still have some business. I have no doubt that even in UK itself there are voices that why a Kosovo never happened in Ireland/Scotland.
The Kosovo issue has undoubtedly raised a grave doubt and uncertainty about the 'world leaders' policy about the separatist and terrorist forces. But again an Albanian could ask - is somebody who asks for independence is a terrorist? The honest answers is no.But again the dawn of imperialism has seen events like Indian independence and Gandhism. This is an endless discussion. To fight for independence has never been a sin. But the question lies - independence to what level? Again the question is independence or separatism on basis of language or culture or religion?
Very similar sequence of events would have happened in India had the Indian government not aware about the movement going in the Northern state Punjab. It is said that the separatist forces in Punjab were readly to declare a Kosovo called Khalistan with the promise from US ,UK and Pakistan to recognised that state. Indian troops stormed the leaders of the movement and foiled the bid. The result is :not only Punjab is and integral part of Indian economy, the Punjabi culture has not only well flourished throught all over India but also earned respect among other cultures.
Coming back to original question : why Kosovo independence recognised by all leaders.Perhaps they are right.It was the only solution to bring peace in this part of the world.Then why not that solution being applied to Kashmir or Chechen or Basque or Tamil ELAM or Kurdistan or Palestine or even Scotland...
Needless to say, the Kosovo issue has raised a grave uncertainty about the policy of 'world leaders'. I could see recent surge in violence in the Western banks. Lets see what more we wish not to see.