India has now proposed to send a delegation of Members of Parliament to selected countries abroad to explain its position regarding the recent conflict with Pakistan and to convince these countries of the justification for its actions.
In the overall geopolitical scenario, the approach of every country to various issues is based solely on self-interest, with little regard for principles or fair play. The ground reality is that the world is, by and large, conflict-ridden and strife-torn, with no permanent enemies or permanent friends between nations. Relationships are constantly changing, based on the evolving global landscape and the priorities of individual countries.
With today’s strong global communication networks, every country is well aware of developments elsewhere. Therefore, they are already informed about what the Indian delegation is likely to say, even before receiving them.
Under such circumstances, it is likely that Indian delegates visiting other countries to explain India’s position will be received with courtesy and politely listened to. However, the response from other nations will likely be influenced only by their existing trade and strategic relationships with India and Pakistan in the present geopolitical climate, rather than by the merit of the explanations offered.
There is no doubt that there is global concern about terrorism and the activities of terrorists, especially given that such groups operate from within certain countries. Without such safe havens, these terrorists would be unable to execute their plans. Nevertheless, condemnation of countries harbouring terrorists by individual nations tends to be influenced more by their broader trade and diplomatic relations than by any consistent moral or ethical standard.
Today, a number of countries face acts of terrorism on their soil in various forms, and ultimately, the affected nations are left to fend for themselves in combating terrorism within their own borders.
Every country has no option but to defend itself against terrorist attacks and war-like threats by strengthening its economic, industrial, and military capabilities. This is, in fact, what is happening.
In this context, the United Nations is conspicuously ineffective in preventing global conflicts. If the UN were truly effective, there would be no need for India to send delegations to explain its position — especially uninvited — to other nations.
India is compelled to send these delegations, for whatever they may be worth, in order to counter misinformation, as the United Nations has lost much of its relevance as a global forum.
