India is poised for Iraq deployment
CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2003 08:38:58 PM ]
WASHINGTON: India is poised to agree to an American request to
deploy its troops in Iraq despite the risks such a commitment could
involve and possible domestic political opposition to the move.
Although Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said here that a decision
would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) only after
clarifications regarding the nature, mandate, and command and control
of such a deployment from a Pentagon team visiting India next week,
there are enough indications that New Delhi is inclined to play ball with
Washington for a host of reasons, including extending its influence in
the Gulf region.
At a press conference here on Tuesday, Advani said the CCS had twice
discussed the matter before his arrival here and decided to seek
clarifications regarding the American request (instead of rejecting it
outright), suggesting that New Delhi is weighing the pros and cons of
any decision. He denied that India had been blindsided by the US
decision to send a Pentagon team or that New Delhi was under undue
pressure.
In fact, in interviews with TV networks on the margins of the visit, Advani
criticised those who opposed the move, saying they were "uninformed,"
clearly suggesting the government is looking to seize what some see
as an opportunity and a challenge.
"The opposition, without all the facts, gave their one-sided opinion that
sending troops to Iraq is wrong," he told an Indian TV news channel.
Domestic opposition is expected to come from the Left parties,
Congress, and even some of BJP's own allies in the NDA. Public
opinion is also expected to be against the move although the
government could work on manufacturing consent over the next two
weeks by repeatedly citing the advantages of such a commitment.
The US request, initially at least, involves at least one division of
perhaps up to 20,000 Indian troops to act as a stabilising force possibly
in Central Iraq where American soldiers are under siege from a hostile
general population.
Washington may agree to some technical UN cover that will enable the
Indian force to at least claim notionally that it is not under US
command.
UNSC resolution 1483 calls on UN member states to come forward to
help in Iraq's reconstruction and an Indian force would easily fit in that
category while also undertaking peacekeeping or "stabilising" duties.
Cost is the least inhibiting factor since a couple of commercial
contracts, not to speak of military experience in the Gulf, more than
compensates the expenses.
Government sources say there are other compelling reasons why New
Delhi is considering the Iraq deployment option besides earning
American gratitude and respect.
With its sterling secular reputation, an Indian Army that can quickly
bring the situation under control and earn the respect and gratitude of
the local population could be a huge payoff in terms of the region's
perception of India. Privately some Indian officials think Indian soldiers
would be more welcome in Iraq than US troops.
Much will depend on the report of the Indian envoy to Iraq, B B Tyagi,
who has recently returned to Baghdad. The US has also asked
Pakistan to step forward, but Islamabad is even more chary of the
request given its fervid political atmosphere. Besides, the secular and
non-political Indian army may be the less objectionable option for the
Iraqis.
Officials also agree there are risks involved in such a venture, starting
with the danger to the NDA government itself if the opposition makes it
an electoral campaign issue. The possible reaction of the Muslim
community in India and other Islamic nations that have privately chafed
at US presence in Iraq also has to be considered, especially the fallout
on the Jammu and Kashmir situation. |
