Poging GOUD - Vrij

Cold Light of Reason Through Fog of Diplomacy

The Morning Standard

|

May 14, 2025

The deals being struck by other nations should be instructive of the zeitgeist. This is a time to grab a hand offered without animus, not strike a truculent posture

- M K BHADRAKUMAR

Cold Light of Reason Through Fog of Diplomacy

OUR days of clashes with Pakistan exposed the faultlines in India's foreign policy and diplomacy. None of India's neighbours voiced support for Operation Sindoor; it had a public spat with the European Union; Russia remained largely indifferent, and alongside the Global South, refused to take sides. And after allowing for US mediation, we are now in a sullen mood and denial.

President Donald Trump, in his characteristic way, reacted to our split personality by promising to work with us "to see if, after a 'thousand years' (of Hindu-Muslim animosity), a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir". Trump's India-Pakistan hyphenation apart, our diplomacy vis-a-vis the US is crumbling. Our 'middle class' cannot be happy about it. The paradox is, we are squirming when Trump pays flattering tribute to PM's "wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression". Indeed, "aggression"—Trump's choice of word—implied a vehement rejection of the raison d'être of Operation Sindoor.

On Monday, Trump tightened the screws further by disclosing he told India and Pakistan that if they didn't stop fighting, "there won't be any trade". In his words: "We stopped a nuclear conflict. I think it would have been a bad nuclear war. Millions of people would have been killed. I also want to thank VP JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their work."

This unsavoury happening is playing out against the backdrop of the government's frenetic attempts during the previous 100 days to put India on a path of deeper alignment with the US. The attempts to pamper Trump's ego, even while stomaching insults, give away unilaterally tangible economic benefits to US companies, get India more integrated with America's military and tech ecosystems—none of this helped India. Consider the following.

MEER VERHALEN VAN The Morning Standard

The Morning Standard

The Morning Standard

Israeli drone strike kills 3 near Gaza ceasefire line

AN Israeli drone strike on Monday killed three Palestinians who had crossed the ceasefire line near central Gaza’s Morag corridor, hospital officials said.

time to read

1 min

January 13, 2026

The Morning Standard

The Morning Standard

Trade talks back, India on Pax Silica: Gor

SIGNALLING an early effort to stabilise India-US ties that have come under strain amid tariff disputes and market jitters, Washington's new ambassador to New Delhi, Sergio Gor, on Monday said the two sides will take up the outstanding trade issues during a call on Tuesday.

time to read

1 min

January 13, 2026

The Morning Standard

CENTRE & STATES NEED TO FORGE NEW MECHANISM TO END RIVER WATER DISPUTES

IF the history of river-water disputes among Indian states offers any lesson, it is that even a long, meandering process may not arrive at a lasting solution.

time to read

1 mins

January 13, 2026

The Morning Standard

Yamuna cruise to take off in Feb, says minister

DELHI Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra on Monday announced that a cruise service on the Yamuna River will be launched in February, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta set to flag it off.

time to read

1 mins

January 13, 2026

The Morning Standard

The Morning Standard

PARADOXICAL PRODUCTS OF PIETY

IT’S a new year, but the debates are old.

time to read

4 mins

January 13, 2026

The Morning Standard

SC to examine validity of lifelong immunity to CEC and poll commissioners

‘THE Supreme Court on Monday decided to examine the validity of the Parliament-enacted law giving lifelong immunity from legal proceedings to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).

time to read

1 min

January 13, 2026

The Morning Standard

The Morning Standard

We saved 40 trees, says Speaker

Winter session of Delhi Assembly reflects shift towards digital functioning, asserts Gupta

time to read

1 mins

January 13, 2026

The Morning Standard

India, Germany intent on def ties

Two countries announce road map for joint military production, naval exercises & training

time to read

2 mins

January 13, 2026

The Morning Standard

Crowd attacks driver as truck hits LA protest

LOS ANGELES police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with marchers demonstrating in support of the Iranian people, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver.

time to read

1 min

January 13, 2026

The Morning Standard

The Morning Standard

Modi, Merz agree to upgrade bilateral strategic relations

IN a big push amid rising global protectionism, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday was optimistic of sealing a landmark EU-India free trade agreement by January-end, with top EU leaders likely visiting New Delhi to sign it, following wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad.

time to read

1 min

January 13, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size