Raisina Dialogue furore

IN an international forum what matters is not superlative oratory. What matters is effective communication and not linguistic gymnastics.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath speaks at the "Raisina Dialogue" in New Delhi last week

At the Raisina Dialogue Foreign Minister Vijith Herath did not take cover under ‘Strategic Ambiguity’. Pukka Sahibs are furious that our Minister responded with careful phrases though somewhat haltingly. That he did not unleash a cascading torrent has disappointed elite circles.

He may have sounded diffident, self-effacing and unassuming in responding to Palki Sharma’s trap question. But he offered a clear explanation. He explained the rescue of survivors, recovery of the dead and the internment of the second vessel with its crew as strict interpretation, and compliance of the applicable law of UNCLOS.

Someone forwarded to me an FB post by the very personable, vibrantly opinionated BASL President Rajeeve Amarasuriya who is obviously disappointed with our Foreign Ministers response. I reproduce it below:

“I was present in the hall at the Raisina Dialogue when Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath made his remarks during the panel discussion on ‘The Future of the Indian Ocean.’ Very often, Ministers are not necessarily experts in foreign relations or foreign policy. One cannot fault them for that. However, it is the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry and our diplomatic missions to properly brief and prepare the country’s representatives for all possible questions and scenarios. In this instance, I believe it was entirely foreseeable that the question regarding the two Iranian vessels would be raised — particularly with Palki Sharma moderating the discussion.