Bull's Eye

Peacekeeping in Iraq is not under the aegis of the UN. Iraqi public opinion on the entry of Indian troops has not been ascertained. The confusing situation is further confounded by the anti-India Al Qaeda claiming responsibility for the attacks against American troops in Iraq. The government's refusal to comply with the US request is therefore welcome.

The unpublicised side-effect resulting from the government's refusal is even more welcome. Prime Minister Vajpayee has administered a much-needed slap to the Bush administration. To understand how, some background information is necessary.

Somehow the American caucus surrounding President Bush had concluded that only the Sangh parivar's endorsement was required for anything to be pushed through in India. The Americans therefore zeroed in on L.K. Advani to become their facilitator in India. The operation to rope in Advani became so crude and brazen that the prime minister had to sit up and take notice. In a matter of weeks, US ambassador Blackwill had conferred singly with Advani over half a dozen times.

After one of Blackwill's dinners with Advani, the PM swung into action. The dpm was advised by the pmo to observe diplomatic protocol and end these one-to-one meetings with the American ambassador. Within three days of receiving the advice, Advani accepted another invitation to have dinner with Blackwill.

The prime minister then conveyed his displeasure to Bush himself. Immediately after that, Blackwill announced that he had made a request for his recall. No credible reason was advanced for this decision.

But the Bush caucus remained undeterred. Vice-president Dick Cheney issued a personal invitation to Advani to visit America. During the visit, Advani called on America's national security advisor Condoleezza Rice. While he was there, President Bush dropped in for an unscheduled meeting. According to the grapevine, Advani virtually committed Indian troops to Iraq provided certain preconditions were met. One week after his return, a high-powered US delegation visited India for further discussion.

On his return, Advani became the most persistent advocate for sending the Indian troops. To the very end, Advani supported dispatching of troops to Iraq. The rest is history. The PM conferred with the Congress and evolved a national consensus. The troops did not go.

The Americans feel badly let down. They have only themselves to blame. India is not quite a banana republic, not yet anyway. Whatever the Bush caucus might think, Vajpayee still rules India.