KRudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book had Tabaqui the fox as bootlicking camp follower of Sher Khan the Tiger, the Self proclaimed King of the Jungle. In todays world we have USA, depicting the Tiger and England the perfect camp follower.
So following cue from USA, British Press writes : How should the free world respond to a country which acts in such a gung-ho manner, tossing aside well-established conventions?
Initially, more than two dozen countries were persuaded by Britain’s compelling evidence and expelled a total of 150 Russian spies working under diplomatic cover. Then America and the EU added to the list of sanctions against Russia on the basis that it had “used chemical weapons in violation of international law”.
British police and intelligence services claim to have sufficient evidence to charge Russian agents with the attempted murder of the former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, using Novichok.
The problem is that President Vladimir Putin out right denied any involvement by Russia and neither USA nor UK can do any thing about it. This same press raises Kashmir and Khalistan issues against India in similar manner.
So declaring sanctions against Russia have become the weapon of choice by the West, but they are a blunt instrument with complex side-effects for third parties.
In August 2017 a gung ho Cow boyish President Donald Trump signed into law the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), as a result of Russia’s “unacceptable behaviour in the use of chemical weapons, the annexation of Crimea and its interference in the 2016 US presidential elections”. All the Camp followers followed suit.
However to their surprise, these self proclaimed Sheriffs of this world forgot that there are other countries like China and India, huge in size with growing economies, and they are not their camp followers. They in fact have very good relationship with Russia both economic and military.
Since China has obviously just booted out their request, they have turned to India with threats and pleadings simultaneously. USA has tried to threaten India with CAATSA.
In response Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of India reminded Washington recently that India has an enduring relationship with Russia going back decades. Trade increased six-fold in the 1960s and 70s.
Today it has already crossed 250000crores or 30 billion american dollars. Right after the big 2+2talks between US and India in New Delhi, India has announced that Indo Russian trade is now aiming for 350000crores in near terms and 700000 crores by 2025.
Following the 2+2 talks last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US is not seeking to punish India for its Russian arms purchases, hinting that a waiver from CAATSA might be forthcoming. However, it is by no means certain that an unpredictable American President will do so.
So India has just gone ahead and announced the signing of deal for four frigates and that S400 missiles deal will be signed soon. India is not going to cancel the S-400 deal to jeopardize its defences nor it cares for the American threats.
How can India forget that in 1971, USA had sent its 7th Fleet to threaten India and in 1998 had placed sanctions on India fir conducting nuclear tests.
Financial sanctions by the US cannot hit India’s arms trade with Russia even a wee bit. Payments for weapons and equipment worth over $2 billion will be done through Ruble Ruppee trade and even barter trade. American dollar can go to hell.
Indian banks which have no exposure to American markets will be used for this purpose. Also in case if penal actions by USA, India will have no options but to retaliate in similar manner, as China has done.
Now coming to Tabaqui story. It is very surprising that England is trying to advise India, not to by Russian S400 and other weapons and instead by high priced American ones.
The same UK had refused to sell submarines to India after training the Indian crew for nearly one year in 1963.
It was then that India had turned to USSR and they offered us foxtrot submarines, 8 of them. Later on came the Kilos and nuclear chakra followed with help in construction of Indian nuclear submarines.
Then Indian major naval surface combatants, top fighter aircrafts, air defence systems etc all are from Russia. Naturally India has bluntly refused to tow the Trump’s line.
American Laws have no place in India, they can drown themselves in Pacific itself or the Atlantic. To save face Americans can keep giving waivers, India does not care.
The Tabaqui Press is giving out arguments for India to change direction and build up its arms purchases from the US. The announcement in 2017 that the US would sell India 22 predator Guardian drones, a contract worth $2-3 billion, are being quoted as great example.
A delighted President Trump declared India to be a “major defence partner”. This year the US announced that the armed version of the drone would be authorised for India, a first for any country outside NATO.
On 31 July the Trump administration placed India on the Strategic Trade Authorisation (STA) Tier-1 list, which would allow American companies to export more high-tech equipment under a streamlined licence exception.
Currently only 36 countries, mostly NATO, have this designation and India is only the third Asian country, after Japan and South Korea, to achieve it.
However New Delhi is just not keen to purchase the advanced stealth strike fighter aircraft, F-35, from America, but Washington is hoping that some how India makes a request for the same.
Americans in fact are keen to dump their vintage F16 on India ….an aircraft that was outright rejected by IAF during technical trials itself.
Tabaqui further gives out for all Practical purpose a Joke that India should display political courage, cancel the S-400 and purchase from America the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) SAM system, the one supplied recently to South Korea.
The two systems have different characteristics, but the sophisticated THAAD is particularly effective against long-range missiles. The purchase of the S-400 could, therefore, be a mistake by India.
It should take full advantage of its STA Tier-1 status and cancel the S-400, purchase THAAD and proceed smoothly to the purchase of the F-35. By doing so, India’s defences will be substantially stronger.
Dear Tabaquis of thus world, India cannot be bullied and will follow its own independent foreign Policy.
