Age Of Consent

But how does one explain Indian pusillanimity? As Arif Qamarain, a former ambassador to Iraq (1994-1997), succinctly puts it: "Since we are so irrelevant to what’s happening, there’s nothing else we can do. Which is excellent from our point of view: Americans have cleaned up Afghanistan, which we could never have done. Americans have been especially friendly to us. If we go against the powers that be, we will be flat on our backs. We must be very clear, those old illusions fostered by the Non-Aligned Movement must be swept from our minds." Indeed, very early on, New Delhi decided to avoid polemics and offer the smallest possible profile of resistance.

As Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee declared at the all-party meeting on Iraq: "Our words, actions and diplomatic efforts should be aimed at trying to achieve pragmatic goals rather than creating rhetorical effect."

But R.S. Kalha, ambassador to Iraq in 1992-94, says the pendulum has swung to the other extreme. "Earlier we used to err on the other side: we spoke too much. In hindsight, the government could have been more robust in projecting our interests. They could have sent senior ministers to convey our concerns. We should articulate our concerns. It is for us to make ourselves heard. The others have given reasons for their stances. We should explain to our people why our stance is the way it is."