Diplomatic squad
What purpose will India’s diplomatic delegations to the different countries serve other than incurring an expense to the exchequer and when previous and similar missions have not brought any change? The foreign policy of every country is hardwired to its geopolitical perspectives aimed at maximum benefit vis-à-vis other countries. Their policy towards India or Pakistan will be based on such fixed positions, no matter what evidence or elaborations they are presented with. Has India changed its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict despite the many visits by and the pleadings from the Ukrainian side?
It is possible that Pakistan may counter this diplomatic offensive by sending delegates of its own, reasserting its demand for an international probe into the Pahalgam attack, which many countries are likely to find agreeable.
Meanwhile, the need of the moment seems to have gone cold after the blitz of fiery exchanges between the two countries and their politics and media — namely, nabbing the terrorists who committed the massacre in Pahalgam. With Kashmir already a militarised zone even in normal times, the priority should have been to ensure a manhunt to capture the attackers and bring them to justice. Nearly a month after the incident, this is what many of us are waiting for.
Satyakam V.,
New Delhi
There is no doubt that the leaders of these delegations will address local media in those countries. But with an information vacuum persisting, and with the government rubbishing various reports in the international media, India should not have delegations that are clueless and unable to handle the tough questions which the foreign media will put forth, unlike India’s. In the end, the ideal thing would be that before these delegations are sent out there should be a special session of Parliament where the government informs the nation as to what happened and what we need to do.
Hemachandra Basappa,
Bengaluru
The Centre’s decision is a carefully chosen move given the complexities and the urgency of the matter in countering the stance of Pakistan on the global stage.
India has a rich legacy of relying on soft power. Finally, the selection of Shashi Tharoor by the government, as against the other nominated members by the Congress party, may attract intra-political criticism but Mr. Tharoor’s vast experience at the United Nations and his knowledge on the subject matter will be immensely helpful.
Satish Reddy Kanaganti,
Tipparthi, Nalgonda, Telangana
Published – May 19, 2025 12:24 am IST