Bull's Eye

The nation went ecstatic. Now we have to remain vigilant at two fronts instead of one. China opposed Bangladesh's liberation. It refused to recognise Bangladesh although almost the whole world had recognised it. It opposed Bangladesh's entry into the UN. Only after Mujibur Rahman's assassination did China recognise Bangladesh. It blessed Ziaur Rahman's coup. After that, relations between India and Bangladesh rapidly deteriorated. On February 21, 1977, the government-owned Bangladesh Times proposed a South Asian security system comprising Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Burma against Indian domination. In this proposed alliance, China would have the central role. Peking will play a central role and extend its smaller neighbours assistance in all forms, the newspaper said.

Today, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar already have defence ties with Beijing. Ziaur Rahman's widow Khaleda Zia fulfilled her late husband's dream by signing the defence pact with China. India is complementing this effort. The Sangh parivar is doing its bit to make sure the Bangladesh Times' proposal succeeds. Their brand of Hindutva will render India's alienation from her neighbours complete.

To affirm such an arrangement, America is urging India to talk with Musharraf and normalise relations with Pakistan. Richard Haas was the latest visitor from America to offer us this gratuitous advice. Pakistan's nuclear help to North Korea, its support to cross-border terrorism and also to Al Qaeda, evidently cause little worry to the Bush administration, which claims to lead a crusade against terrorism. Nothing would suit China more than a communalised India normalised with Pakistan, and the LoC converted into an international border. That would obliterate the threat of a regional nuclear war. China meanwhile would have defence pacts with all South Asian nations at India's cost. Is our government sleeping?

With minorities we are rough,
With neighbours we are tough,
We are ever so brave
We dig our own grave!