My north east friends haven’t been a happy bunch of late! They are upset by the happenings in Tibet and what they call the atrocious handling of the sensitive issue by China. But I guess what they are most irked by is the Indian response to the fight by Tibet! They expected more, wanted more, hoped for more. But felt a bit let down by the way we lay low. It seemed as if we were bowing to Chinese pressure, not showing support for a just cause. Not arguing the case of Tibet on a world platform or letting them have a platform to express their anguish. They were being curtailed because of Chinese pressure.
Many other Indians too have been debating on this aspect! While some agree that India is going too soft in its response to China’s attitude, some feel it is the right way to do it. I agree with the latter. India has to protect its own interests first! And that means having peaceful and friendly relations with all its neighbours. Sadly we don’t seem to have it until now. We have fought wars with Pakistan and China in the past. Some over land, others by trying to fight for someone else’s land! And none of it brought us much good. We always try to play the savior and I believe it has only backfired and will continue to do so!
Because let us face it, nobody is anybody’s friend where world politics is concerned. Every country obviously looks out for their own prosperity and advantage. So why should we get into a fight with China over Tibet when all it might bring in the end are some sour relations. We already are on tender hooks with the Chinese. There was a naïve Nehru who proclaimed a slogan that Indians and Chinese are brothers and sisters, well we paid for the Indo-Sin war with that! We lost a lot of land (got it back/still arguing about it) and Tibet fell into that gobble during that period. So while the case is ethically correct and people must support Tibet is it logical and practical to do is the question?
China is slowly gaining ground as one of the major nations of the world. One just has to see the progress to believe it! Read any financial journals to fully understand what is happening of the economy. Watch programmes to see the growth and processing of that nation. One can only then begin to realize the power that this nation will soon hold over the world. So is it wise to tick off a neighbour that is not only competition to us but also could be a worthful ally? I don’t think so! I believe we got nothing by trying to help Bangladesh procure its freedom from Pakistan. Today we have a steady pouring of militants from that part of the border and their migrant influx into our already populated territory isn’t helping. So what did we get? Nothing, other than making enemies across the other side of the boundary!
Why be the moral authority on this one? India has given refuge to the spiritual leader of Tibet and its people and continues to support them in any other ways other than political protests! I believe that is more than enough! If we get straddled in ethical concerns and emotional pleadings of our heart we shall be left behind in this century. We are an emotional bunch of people, which applies to other South Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka too and perhaps that is what has been one of our major obstacles in achieving progress to our capacity so may be finally it is time to show some restraint. Let the world collectively decide what is has to do about Tibet-China. Continue to provide help through other means but not by allowing political activities or embarking on a war of words with China. It shall ultimately bring no good, because as far as it can be believed China will win whichever way it wants to!
So am I being self-centered when I say let India do for India? Yes surely! When we became a nation we decided we would fight for not only our rights but also that of the others! When the Iraq war or Afghanistan war broke out no one muttered much, even though it can be counted as one of the most horrific abuse of human rights documented! So why now? Why for Tibet? Because the Dalai Lama lives here? Because somewhere we understand and feel one with the Tibetans? Because that is the ethical thing to do? Because if everyone kept quiet it meant the death of free living and a just world? These are emotional reasons, give me some practical ones!
We need to keep quiet because frankly it isn’t our business and history has taught us that we must not meddle where it isn’t our business. Wait and watch how it plays. Let the UN decide, let other G8 partners of China come up with solutions. Being selfish you say? Yes, I think it is time India does become selfish or sensible (should I say)…
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