Gujral on terror linkage

FORMER Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, known for a neighbour-friendly doctrine after his name, waxed critical of Delhi for publicly accusing Bangladesh of 'harbouring terrorists'. There are three issues here: first, the truth or otherwise of the allegations being made; secondly, substantiating such critical remarks with proofs and furnishing them to Dhaka; and last but not least, till such steps have been taken, refrain from speaking to the public on the issue one way or the other.

Labelling a country, especially a next-door neighbour, is far too serious a thing to be a matter for impulsive public positioning, let alone posturing which will be far worse. Between India and Bangladesh, two physically extremely close neighbours, there is no scope for any mistrust and suspicion to linger in that these are mutually verifiable. What is more important, any misgiving can be put on the table, discussed and sorted out to the satisfaction of both countries. New Delhi and Dhaka can always be in an ideally communicative state regardless of change of government in either country.

Stereo-typing does not only make a sweeping generalisation about a country but also speak of diplomatic naivete on the part of the country which resorts to it. Basically, India as the largest South Asian country, has to go the extra-mile in accommodating the concerns of her neighbours. We are fully in agreement with Gujral that New Delhi should pursue the path of quiet diplomacy and that of extending a helping hand to neighbours rather than going for 'hysterical outbursts' against them. Gujral is a politician of a different mould but there are many in the Indian civil society who subscribe to his views.

His is a sane voice. The leadership in New Delhi better pay heed to his counsel for the benefit of India as well as that of her neighbours.